Data Governance Program Manager

Arla Oy; Denmark; On-site; DKK 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Arla is seeking a Data Governance Program Manager to implement and embed strong customer master data governance across markets, systems, and functions. The role combines governance with people leadership as you manage the Data Steward team and guide a temporary project organisation through a Customer Master Data transformation.

You will shape enduring governance, establish ownership, decision forums, and data quality routines that deliver trusted data and measurable improvements across Europe

Qualifications

• Experience turning governance ambition into everyday practice.
• Experience with master data, data governance, data quality, stewardship models.

Responsibilities

• Implement and embed customer data governance across markets, functions, and systems.
• Lead and develop the Data Steward team, setting priorities and accountability.
• Provide direction to the program organisation and ensure lasting governance outcomes.
• Run customer data governance with Data Owner/Data Steward roles, forums, and routines.
• Define and roll out customer data standards, rules, controls, and lifecycle governance.
• Improve data quality using KPIs and dashboards; shift to proactive prevention.
• Collaborate with Sales, Finance, Customer Service, Supply Chain, IT, and teams across markets.

Skills

Data governance

Master data

Data quality

MDM/MDG tools

Leadership

Stakeholder management

People management

Cross-functional collaboration

Change management

Tools

MDM/MDG tools

Job description

At Arla, we believe that good data is a service - to our customers, our colleagues, and ultimately to the farmers who own our business. When customer data works well, everything else works better orders flow, deliveries arrive on time, invoices are right the first time, and colleagues can focus on creating value instead of fixing issues.

That’s why we are looking for a Data Governance Program Manager to help implement and embed strong customer master data governance across Arla.

How you will make an impact

As Data Governance Program Manager, you will be responsible for turning governance ambition into everyday practice. You will establish clear ownership, decision forums, standards, controls, and data quality routines that ensure customer data is created, maintained, and used consistently across markets, systems, and functions.

This is a leadership role with both governance and people responsibility. You will become people manager for the Data Steward team and provide direction to the temporary project organisation supporting the Customer Master Data transformation, ensuring the team has clear priorities, strong ways of working, and the right support to deliver sustainable change.

Your work will be visible and felt

• For customers Reduce order blocks, delivery issues, and invoice rejections by getting customer data right the first time
• For colleagues Simplify ways of working with clear ownership, governed processes, and automated controls - less manual fixing
• For the business Build trusted customer data and measurable quality that support growth, analytics, and AI

In this role, you will shape how customer data governance is implemented and sustained. Your impact will be seen in clearer ownership, stronger stewardship, trusted data, simpler processes, and customer journeys that create lasting value. With strong sponsorship and senior stakeholder support, you will have the mandate to lead, prioritise, and build the capabilities needed for long-term success.

Your core responsibilities will include

• Implement and embed customer data governance across markets, functions, and systems
• Lead and develop the Data Steward team, creating clarity on priorities, accountabilities, and ways of working
• Provide direction to the temporary program organisation and ensure delivery is anchored in lasting governance outcomes
• Run customer data governance with Data Owner/Data Steward roles, decision forums, escalation paths, and operating routines
• Define and roll out customer data standards, business rules, controls, and lifecycle governance
• Improve data quality using KPIs and dashboards, shifting from reactive fixes to proactive prevention
• Collaborate with Sales, Finance, Customer Service, Supply Chain, IT, and teams across markets

What will make you successful

• Has implemented data governance in practice, not only managed plans or projects
• Brings strong experience with master data, data governance, data quality, stewardship models, and MDM/MDG tools
• Can lead, motivate, and develop a team of Data Stewards while building a strong culture of accountability and collaboration
• Is curious to explore how human assisted agents can support our master data initiatives
• Is comfortable leading temporary project teams and cross-functional initiatives across countries and functions
• Brings clarity and structure to complex topics and can explain them simply to both business and IT stakeholders
• Cares about real-world impact for customers and colleagues and is motivated by creating sustainable improvements

Why join Arla

At Arla, you will be part of a farmer‑owned cooperative with strong values and a long‑term view. You will have the opportunity to shape how customer data works across Europe and beyond in a role with strong impact, clear sponsorship, and a meaningful purpose.

We believe that diverse perspectives make us stronger and warmly encourage applications from candidates with different backgrounds, experiences, and ways of thinking.

Shape the Future of Dairy

Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to enabling good food choices that make life better, providing people with natural, sustainable nourishment, while taking care at every step to ensure Arla is a choice they can feel good about.