Enterprise Data Catalog Specialist

JOB PURPOSE

As a Metadata Specialist, you will play a crucial role in enhancing our data management capabilities. Utilizing your metadata cataloging skills, deep understanding of data governance, and strong communication abilities, you will lead workshops and initiatives to enrich our data catalog. You will take ownership of our metadata catalog, promote best practices, cultivate a metadata-driven culture, and refine cataloging processes to improve data fluency across teams, making a significant impact on our data landscape.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and develop a comprehensive metadata framework aligned with organizational data governance objectives.
• Oversee the establishment and documentation of data lineage to provide a clear understanding of data flow through systems and processes.
• Own and enhance the metadata cataloging strategy, ensuring systematic documentation of data assets, definitions, and relationships.
• Contribute to the formulation and enforcement of data governance policies, ensuring compliance with regulations and standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (data stewards, architects, engineers) for effective communication and implementation of data governance practices.
• Implement and oversee quality assurance measures for metadata, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
• Lead workshops and training sessions on metadata best practices to foster a metadata-centric culture.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives for metadata management processes, staying updated on industry trends and technologies.
• Conduct regular audits to assess data governance effectiveness, identify improvement areas, and ensure policy adherence.
• Integrate metadata practices into the overall governance framework in collaboration with IT and other functional teams.
• Implement strategies to increase data fluency across business teams by promoting metadata use for informed decision-making.
• Proactively identify and resolve metadata-related issues, working with stakeholders to maintain metadata integrity.
• Foster a strong relationship with Alation, ensuring effective communication and prompt issue resolution.
• Collaborate with Alation representatives and the community to stay informed about updates and roadmap plans.
• Establish and enforce documentation standards for metadata, contributing to a well-organized metadata repository.
• Develop and lead training programs for internal teams on new Alation functionalities to ensure proficient platform utilization.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCES

• Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems, Computer Science, Math, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field. Minimum of 8+ years of experience in data management/governance with a focus on metadata management. Experience in the CPG or food and beverage industry is preferred.
• Communication and Influencing Skills: Strong facilitation and project leadership skills with the ability to drive issues to closure. Demonstrated ability to influence and build collaborative relationships, engaging resources outside direct control to gain consensus and achieve goals. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills. Positive attitude and a team player.
• Experience and Self-Starting Ability: Experience working on agile teams in a virtual, distributed environment. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and contribute independently or as part of a team as needed.
• Tooling: Must have working experience with Alation or an equivalent data cataloging tool. Proficient in SQL. Experience working in SAP for master data management is preferred. Experience with PIM, Salesforce, and MDM systems is preferred. Rest API knowledge is a plus.