Global Manager - MDM Systems & Process

Location: Netherlands

Job Purpose:

To establish, maintain, and continuously improve the integrity, quality, and governance of master data across the global freight forwarding organization. This role serves as the central authority for Master Data Management processes, tools, and standards, ensuring accurate, consistent, and accessible data that enables operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and strategic decision-making across all regions and business functions.

Key Accountabilities:

MDM Governance & Strategy

Framework Development:
Design, implement, and maintain a comprehensive MDM governance framework that defines data ownership, accountability, policies, standards, and procedures across the freight forwarding operations

Policy Management:
Establish and enforce global MDM policies, data quality standards, and data stewardship principles to ensure consistency across all regions

Stakeholder Governance:
Lead MDM data stewardship council and working groups with cross-functional stakeholders including Operations, IT, Commercial, Finance, and Compliance teams

Compliance Oversight:
Ensure MDM practices align with regulatory requirements including data privacy regulations (GDPR, etc.), customs regulations, and industry standards

Change Management:
Drive adoption of MDM processes through effective change management, communication strategies, and stakeholder engagement

Process Design & Implementation

Process Documentation:
Define and document standardised global MDM processes for data creation, validation, maintenance, deactivation, and archival across all master data domains (customers, vendors, products, locations, tariffs, etc.)

Workflow Design:
Design and implement efficient workflows for data requests, approvals, and updates that balance data quality with operational speed

Best Practices:
Establish MDM best practices and standard operating procedures (SOPs) aligned with industry standards and organizational objectives

Process Optimization:
Continuously review and optimize MDM processes to improve efficiency, reduce errors, and enhance user experience

Integration Management:
Coordinate MDM processes with upstream and downstream systems to ensure seamless data flow across the technology ecosystem

Data Quality Management

Quality Framework:
Develop and implement data quality frameworks including quality metrics, KPIs, and monitoring dashboards

Quality Routines:
Establish regular data quality routines including data profiling, cleansing, validation, enrichment, and reconciliation activities

Issue Resolution:
Identify, investigate, and resolve data quality issues; implement corrective and preventive actions

Data Standards:
Define and maintain data standards, naming conventions, taxonomies, and reference data across all master data domains

Monitoring & Reporting:
Create and maintain data quality scorecards and reports for management, highlighting trends, issues, and improvement opportunities

Technology & Automation

Tool Management:
Oversee the implementation, configuration, and optimization of MDM tools and platforms used across the organization

Third-Party

Collaboration:

Partner with external vendors and technology providers to enhance MDM capabilities, integrate new data sources, and implement automation solutions

Automation Initiatives:
Identify and drive automation opportunities to reduce manual data entry, improve data accuracy, and accelerate data processing

System Integration:
Work with IT teams to ensure MDM systems integrate effectively with operational systems (CR3, CRM, NPM, Customer Platform, Quote Tool, Oracle Fusion, etc.)

Innovation: Stay current with emerging MDM technologies, AI/ML capabilities for data management, and industry innovations; recommend and implement relevant solutions

Training & Support

Training Programs:
Develop and deliver MDM training programs for data stewards, regional teams, and end users to build data management capabilities

User Support:
Provide guidance and support to regional and functional teams on MDM processes, tools, and data quality issues

Documentation:
Create and maintain comprehensive user guides, training materials, and knowledge repositories for MDM processes and systems

Community Building:
Fos…