Compensation Program Manager

Job Overview

The Compensation Program Manager partners with HR, Finance, and business leaders in the design, administration, governance, and continuous improvement of enterprise compensation programs, including incentive compensation plans and annual merit planning. This role also manages compensation compliance, project management (PMO), communications and training.

Job Responsibilities

• Oversee the annual compensation planning cycles, including annual merit budget setting, cycle scheduling, stakeholder communications, manager and HR training, executive reporting, governance, approvals, audit controls, and overall program oversight.
• Partner with Total Payroll Operations, Finance, IT, and HR teams in the setup, testing, administration, and continuous improvement of systems, workflows, and processes supporting monthly, quarterly, and annual compensation cycles.
• Provide executive updates, analytics, and reporting related to merit planning outcomes, budget utilization, pay-for-performance results, and compensation program effectiveness.
• Manage incentive compensation plans in partnership with Finance, Sales, and business leaders, to define plan metrics, measures, weightings, and governance.
• Design, administer, and evaluate short-term incentive programs, including modeling, scenario analysis, and plan documentation, in partnership with the Sr. Compensation Analyst - Incentives.
• Ensure that incentive compensation plans and results are effectively communicated to participants.
• Develop and maintain dashboards and reporting tools to monitor plan performance and payouts.
• Ensure the accuracy of incentive plan eligibility, calculations, approvals, accruals, and payments through strong controls, audits, and administration processes.
• Help drive continuous improvement of compensation plan design, administration, communications, and governance to help maximize plan effectiveness.
• Develop and deliver compensation training and education tools to support a consistent understanding and application of compensation programs.
• Ensure compensation compliance with federal, state, and local requirements, including pay equity, minimum wage, minimum salary thresholds, pay transparency regulations, FLSA classification standards, Department of Labor requirements, and state/provincial reporting obligations.
• Monitor compensation programs to ensure alignment with the company’s compensation philosophy of pay-for-results, pay equity, and market competitiveness.
• Serve as PMO lead for enterprise compensation projects, coordinating timelines, resources, governance, stakeholders, risks, dependencies, and implementation activities.
• Maintain and enhance the enterprise compensation calendar to capture and track key dates related to compensation cycles, communications, training, and projects.
• Help shape and implement improvements in compensation training, manager enablement, and communication strategies to support effective decision-making. Help ensure effective change management strategies for HR, managers, and business leaders specific to compensation.
• Maintain compensation workflows, documentation, governance standards, and audit controls.
• Support benchmarking, market pricing, salary structures, and job architecture.
• Perform other duties as required.

Job Requirements

Education/ Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or related field; CCP or PHR is a plus.

Experience

• 6–8 years of progressive compensation experience, with direct ownership of annual merit review cycles, incentive compensation design and administration, and compensation compliance programs.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects and working with common HRIS systems and reporting tools (PeopleSoft, Workday, SAP or comparable HCM; PayScale/PayFactors or comparable survey/benchmarking tools).

Knowledge And Skills

• Advanced analytical skills: ability to interpret large datasets and build compensation models.
• Deep knowledge of compensation regulations, pay equity analytics, FLSA classification standards, and market pricing methodologies.
• Proficiency with Excel, HRIS, reporting dashboards, and compensation planning tools.
• Strong written and verbal communication, presentation development (PowerPoint) and change management skills.
• Strong project management skills; Understanding of best practice PM methodologies (Lean, Agile, Waterfall, etc.) a plus.
• Ability to manage multiple complex programs simultaneously and work collaboratively across functions.
• Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available. (Legal requirement to add in this language)

Work Environment

Remote Role:

• This position is classified as remote where the associate will perform remote work from their primary residence. Remote associates are welcome to work from the office but are not required to do so. While remote associates are not required to work from an office on a regular basis, they may be required to come to the office or other UNFI locations for necessary business reasons or if directed to do so by their manager

Travel (minor)

• This position may require the associate to travel to company offices, distribution centers, or other locations for specific meetings or other business reasons.

Physical Environment/Demands

• Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment.
• Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at a desk or computer terminal.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephones, and other office equipment in the course of a normal workday.
• Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in the completion of job duties.

About UNFI

We are North America’s premier grocery wholesaler, delivering the widest variety of fresh, branded, and owned brand products to community grocers and retail chains alike. A pioneer in natural and organic foods, we are growing and transforming to meet the needs of an evolving workplace. Our 29,000+ employees work across America in our 50 Distribution Centers and corporate offices. Learn more: Organic, Natural and Conventional Food | Wholesale Food Distributors | UNFI

Equal Opportunity Employer

UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected ground. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the job selection process. - Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Compensation

UNFI anticipates paying the above-referenced pay rate (or within the above-referenced pay range) for this position. Actual Pay, where applicable, will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements. UNFI is committed to transparency in pay in compliance with applicable state and local laws.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off
• Sick Time
• Paid holidays and parental leave
• 401K Program
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental death/dismemberment insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance program
• Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Savings Account

UNFI’s compensation, benefits, and paid time off policies are subject to change in the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with applicable law. This job posting should not be construed as an offer of employment with certain terms, nor should it be construed as a guaranteed minimum.

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.

For Washington positions (or positions that may be performed remotely from Washington), for Washington-specific paid time off details.