Lead Analyst - Global Product Governance

Brown-Forman Corporation; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Brown-Forman Corporation seeks a seasoned Master Data Governance professional to lead the initiation and governance of SKU and component master data in SAP for new product launches and changes. You will partner with Product Development PMO and cross-functional teams to ensure data readiness, quality, and timely operational handoff.

Responsibilities include driving continuous improvements in governance processes, analyzing data performance, and communicating risks and impact to stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant work experience in master data governance or data management.
• Strong understanding of product master data elements, hierarchies, and their impact.
• Hands-on experience with SAP master data structures and SKU/component creation.
• Ability to analyze complex product development inputs to determine master data needs.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex business requirements into clear master data specifications.
• Experience with data entry, validation, and maintaining high data quality.

Responsibilities

• Own the initiation of SKU and component master data in SAP for new product launches and changes.
• Oversee data entry, validation, and resolution of complex master data issues.
• Lead end-to-end governance workflows, ensuring readiness and timely operational handoff.
• Identify and lead continuous improvements in master data and governance processes.
• Monitor governance performance and present insights to support reviews and decisions.
• Develop and enforce global governance standards, data requirements, and controls.

Skills

Master data

SAP master data

Data governance

Cross-functional leadership

Data analysis

Regulatory compliance

Process improvement

Data quality

Project leadership

Communication skills

Tools

SAP

Job description

CURRENT EMPLOYEES, CONSULTANTS, AND AGENCY PARTNERS:

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Meaningful Work from Day One:

Lead complex product governance and master data activities that support new product launches and changes. Partner across brands, markets, and functions to ensure product data is accurate, compliant, and operationally ready. Drive process improvements, provide technical expertise, and guide governance activities from requirements through implementation and issue resolution.

What You Can Expect:

Master Data Initiation & Governance

Own the accurate and timely initiation of SKU and component master data in SAP for new product introductions and product changes. Oversee critical data entry and validation activities and resolve complex master data issues. Own the end-to-end product governance workflow for assigned initiatives, ensuring master data readiness and timely operational handoff. Assess and communicate master data, compliance, execution, and launch-readiness risks and their potential business impact.

Project & Cross-Functional Leadership

Lead master data and product governance workstreams in partnership with the Product Development PMO and cross-functional teams. Support project scope, timing, and prioritization for new product introductions and product changes. Facilitate communication and information flow between product development, master data, and operational teams. Lead resolution of cross-functional data, ownership, and governance issues. Provide work direction, technical guidance, quality review, coaching, and prioritization support to analysts and cross-functional partners.

Process Improvement & Regulatory Compliance

Identify and lead continuous improvement opportunities within master data and product governance processes. Serve as the functional decision-maker for product governance requirements, data readiness, and master data quality within established authority. Lead initiatives to reduce cycle times, streamline data intake workflows, and improve operational performance. Lead global regulatory compliance projects from initiation through completion.

Data Analysis & Performance

Monitor product governance and master data performance, including data accuracy, right-first-time completion, cycle time, milestone adherence, rework, exceptions, and issue resolution. Analyze performance data to identify trends, root causes, risks, and improvement opportunities. Prepare and present insights to support governance reviews, resource prioritization, process improvements, and business decisions.

Standards & Governance

Develop, maintain, and enforce global product governance standards, decision criteria, data requirements, controls, and documentation practices. Maintain standard requirement templates, readiness checklists, data definitions, and governance controls. Ensure consistent application of governance requirements across brands, markets, product types, and manufacturing locations. Manage exceptions to global standards, including documenting business rationale and coordinating appropriate approvals. Lead product governance reviews, document decisions, and escape unresolved risks through established governance channels.

What You Bring to the Table:

• 5+ years of relevant work experience


• Strong understanding of product master data elements, hierarchies, and their impact across planning, procurement, production, logistics, sales, and other supply chain functions.


• Hands-on experience with SAP master data structures and functionality related to SKU and component creation.


• Ability to analyze complex product development inputs, including product specifications, packaging requirements, and geographic or market considerations, to determine master data needs.


• Demonstrated ability to translate complex or ambiguous business requirements into clear, complete, and actionable master data specifications.


• Experience with data entry, validation, and maintaining high standards of data accuracy and quality.


• Strong analytical and problem solving skills, including the ability to identify trends, determine root causes, assess risk, and develop effective solutions.


• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage complex and highly priority initiatives.


• Effective communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to influence decisions, facilitate alignment, and work across diverse cross-functional teams.


• Ability to provide technical guidance, review complex work, coach others, and share best practices without formal people-management authority.


• Ability to balance global governance standards with approved local regulatory and commercial requirements.


• Proactive and continuous-improvement mindset, with the ability to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, and process effectiveness.

What Makes You Unique:

Demonstrated ability to provide essential support in linking product innovation directly to master data execution, navigating complex cross-functional dependencies. Practical familiarity with master data governance principles and their direct application in ensuring unwavering data quality and reliability throughout the entire SKU lifecycle. Strong communication skills, capable of accurately conveying technical data needs to business stakeholders and translating business needs for technical teams. A genuinely \"customer-centric\" approach, consistently striving to meet and exceed the data needs of internal partners (PMO, Product Development, Master Data Production) to empower their success. A proven track record of actively supporting and contributing to significant process improvements within data management workflows.

Who We Are:

We believe great people build great brands. And we know there is Nothing Better in the Market than a career at Brown-Forman. Being a part of Brown-Forman means you will grow both personally and professionally. You will have the opportunity to solve problems, seize opportunities, and generate bold ideas. You will belong to a place where teamwork matters and where you are encouraged to bring your best self to work.

What We Offer:

Total Rewards at Brown-Forman is designed to engage our people to ensure sustainable and profitable growth for generations to come. As a premium spirits company, we offer equitable pay structures for individual and company performance alongside premium employee experience. We offer a range of premium benefits that reflect our company values and meet the needs of our diverse workforce.

#LI Requisition Type: Employee Management Level: Leader Global Job Level: L1 Number of Openings Available: 1

Brown‑Forman Corporation has been building exceptional spirits brands for more than 150 years, responsibly upholding our founding promise of \"Nothing Better in the Market.\" Our portfolio of premium brands includes the Jack Daniel’s Family of Brands, Woodford Reserve, Herradura, el Jimador, Korbel, New Mix, Old Forester, The Glendronach, Glenglassaugh, Benriach, Diplomático Rum, Chambord, Gin Mare, Fords Gin, Slane, and Coopers’ Craft. With a team of approximately 5,400 employees worldwide, we proudly share our passion for premium beverages in more than 170 countries. Discover more about us at brown-forman.com and stay connected through LinkedIn, Instagram, and X. Brown-Forman Corporation is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment. It is the policy of Brown-Forman Corporation to provide full and equal employment opportunities to all employees and potential employees without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected status. Accommodations available upon request including an Interpreter.