Sr. Director - Master Data Management & Data Governance

Location: Kohler

Sr. Director - Master Data Management & Data Governance

Work Mode:
Onsite

Location:

 Onsite - Kohler, WI

Opportunity

Kohler is seeking a Senior Director, Master Data Management (MDM) & Data Governance. This role is a strategic enterprise leader responsible for defining and executing the organization's master data and governance vision. This role will establish the governance frameworks, operating models, standards, policies, procedures, and technologies required to ensure high-quality, trusted, and business-aligned data across domains including but not limited to Customer, Product, Material, BOM, Vendor, Finance, and Operations.

Reporting to the VP-IT Enterprise Applications & ERP Transformation, this leader will drive enterprise-wide data standardization, stewardship, quality, and compliance initiatives-enabling analytics, AI, digital transformation, and operational excellence.

This role requires a balance of strategic thinking, business partnership, organizational leadership, and hands-on execution oversight.

Specific Responsibilities

Enterprise MDM Strategy & Execution

* Define and lead the enterprise Master Data Management strategy aligned to business and digital transformation priorities

* Establish a scalable, domain-driven MDM operating model with clearly defined roles and responsibilities cross-functionally across all domains

* Establish and document all standards, definitions, policies, and procedures for master data management across all domains

* Enable the execution of quality master data management through technology

* Oversee master data lifecycle management, golden record creation, hierarchies, and reference data management

* Enable and automate master data management where possible through technology, determining the right tech stack for the defined people and processes at Kohler

Data Governance Leadership

* Design and implement a pragmatic enterprise data governance framework

* Establish data ownership, stewardship, and accountability models across business functions

* Help establish data governance council in partnership with IT Data Leader and Business champion

* Establish charters for managing master data domains in partnership with business owners and functional leads

* Define and enforce data standards, policies, and controls

* Ensure regulatory compliance (privacy, financial controls, industry-specific regulations)

* Enable and automate data governance where possible through technology, determining the right tech stack for the defined people and processes at Kohler

Data Quality & Controls

* Develop and operationalize enterprise data quality standards and KPIs

* Implement monitoring, issue management, and remediation processes

* Establish root cause analysis processes to prevent recurring data defects

* Partner with security, internal audit, risk, and compliance teams to ensure strong data controls

Business Partnership & Enablement

* Partner with Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, Finance, Marketing, Commercial, Operations, and IT leaders to align master data priorities to business outcomes

* Translate business requirements into scalable data capabilities

* Enable analytics, AI, ERP modernization, and digital initiatives through trusted data foundations

* Evangelize the value of governed, high-quality master data across the enterprise

Organization & Talent Development

* Build and lead a high-performing IT MDM and Data Governance team

* Define clear roles for Data Owners, Data Stewards, and Domain Leads

* Build and lead a matrix environment of IT and Business leaders across domains

* Develop data literacy and governance training programs

* Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and data-driven decision-making

Skills/Requirements

* 12-15+ years of experience in Data Management, MDM, Data Governance, or Enterprise Data Leadership

* 5+ years in a senior leadership role managing enterprise-scale programs

* Proven experience implementing and/or managing MDM platforms (e.g., Informatica, Reltio, SAP MDG, Profisee, etc.)

* Experience building and operationalizing enterprise data governance frameworks cross-functionally across multiple MDM domains

* Demonstrated success leading large cross-functional teams to own master data domains and create governance standards, policies, procedures, definitions, etc.

* Strong executive communication and stakeholder management skills

Preferred Experience

* Experience in manufacturing, consumer products, retail, or supply chain-intensive industries

* ERP transformation experience (SAP S/4

HANA, Oracle, etc.)

* Experience enabling advanced analytics and AI through governed data foundations

* Familiarity with data privacy regulations and compliance frameworks

Leadership Competencies

* Enterprise mindset with strong business acumen

* Ability to influence without authority across matrixed environments

* Strategic thinker with operational execution discipline

* Change agent comfortable driving cultural transformation

* Strong balance of technical fluency and business storytelling

Key Performance…