Learning & Development Partner

United Natural Foods, Inc.; Providence, Northern (RI, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

United Natural Foods, Inc. seeks a Learning & Development Partner to collaborate with stakeholders to identify learning needs and guide the design, development, and deployment of leadership programs across the enterprise.

You will leverage AI-enabled design support, tailor materials for diverse audiences, measure impact, and continuously evolve UNFI’s leadership portfolio. This remote role partners with a national team, supports multiple functional areas, and requires travel up to 50% as needed

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent working experience.
• 3–4 years in human resources, learning and development, talent management or related role.
• Experience guiding, developing, and deploying systems and software, AI-enabled learning tools where applicable.
• Strong understanding of adult learning, blended learning, and modern delivery methods.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with relationship management skills.

Responsibilities

• Partners with stakeholders to define learning objectives, audience needs, and desired business outcomes; uses resources, templates, and AI-enabled design support to guide leadership programs.
• Manages deployment of leadership development programs including communication, program management, facilitation, coaching, and evaluation.
• Tailors communication and training approaches to various audiences and levels.
• Leverages experiential learning practices to engage adult learners and ensure knowledge transfer.
• Broadens understanding of business functions, leadership development best practices, and blended learning techniques.
• Gathers insights on development needs and program effectiveness through ongoing evaluation.
• Maintains strong relationships with stakeholders to ensure knowledge transfer and upskilling.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Learning & Development

Needs analysis

Instructional design

Blended learning

AI learning tools

Program design

Coaching & facilitation

Measurement & evaluation

Relationship management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

AI-enabled learning tools

Job description

Job Overview

The Learning & Development Partner will be responsible for partnering with stakeholders to identify learning needs and guide the design, development, and deployment of UNFI’s processes, systems, and leadership development programs. This role will work closely with and collaborate with other members of the Learning & Development team as well as business stakeholders, using available tools, templates, and AI-enabled learning design support to strengthen the capabilities of our leaders. In their role, the Learning & Development Partner will continue to iterate, innovate, and evolve UNFI’s existing portfolio of programs for leaders in all departments and at varying levels, including front-line associates, new and first-time supervisors, mid-level managers, as well as our more specialized leadership roles, such as General Managers and UNFI’s Directors and above.

The Learning & Development Partner will be responsible for identifying key talent gaps as well as maintaining a pulse on the changing environment to anticipate future competency needs for the organization. They will ensure the consistent transfer of knowledge to both associates and business leaders according to UNFI’s key priorities—through both the resourceful sourcing and development of content, as well as through strategic program design and delivery. The Learning & Development Partner will collaborate closely with other Learning & Development team members to support the customization and tailoring of materials for the functional areas of the business, ultimately ensuring that the learning materials are relevant, timely, and applicable. This role will also work to address business concerns and leadership skill gaps through ongoing measurement and evaluation of programs.

What does it mean to be a part of our HR Corporate team?

While providing remote support to our national colleagues, our HR Corporate team ensures effective execution of human resources strategies and strategic HR planning. This includes areas such as Talent & Culture, Workforce Planning, Talent Acquisition, Engagement & Events, Recognition, Performance Management, Organizational Development, Learning & Development, Associate Relations, Compensation, DEI, Benefits & Wellness, Labor Relations, and Philanthropy. In addition, this team plays a pivotal role in our current transformation journey. They are instrumental in helping to develop, train, and retain the right talent, that is fully engaged with this strategy, as well as embodying a true “people first” mindset to help drive UNFI’s company culture of collaboration and engagement.

Job Responsibilities

Core Responsibilities

• Partners with stakeholders to define learning objectives, audience needs, and desired business outcomes; uses available learning resources, templates, and AI-enabled design support to guide the development of leadership programs, materials, and experiences.
• Manages the deployment of leadership development programs, which may include communication development, program management, facilitation, coaching, and measurement and evaluation.
• Tailors communication and training approach to various audiences and learner needs (by function and level)
• Leverages experiential learning best practices (scenario-based learning, storytelling, realistic examples of application, common misunderstanding) to best engage adult learners and ensure successful transfer of knowledge.
• Continues to broaden depth of understanding business functions, leadership development best practices, and blended learning techniques
• Gathers insights and observations on leadership development needs, strengths, and opportunities, as well as the effectiveness of ongoing learning interventions.
• Maintains strong professional relationships with key stakeholders throughout the business to ensure successful transfer of knowledge and upskills.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

Education/ Certifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent working experience

Experience

• 3-4 years of experience in human resources, learning and development, talent management or a related role
• Experience guiding, developing, and deploying systems and software, process implementations, training, leadership development training and programs, or other skill development deployments, including through AI-enabled learning tools where applicable.
• Strong understanding of adult learning best practices, modern classroom, online and eLearning
• Strong organization and project management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with emphasis on relationship management, business partnerships and workplace collaboration
• Ability to work on multiple tasks, manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and work independently under minimal supervision
• Lean Six Sigma knowledge preferred but not required.
• Experience in applicable subject matter area of expertise preferred but not required.
• Experience in applicable systems, processes, and tools for both functional knowledge as well as content creation preferred but not required.

Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities

• Experience conducting needs analysis and post-training measurement and evaluation (surveys, focus groups, etc.)
• Working knowledge of leadership program design, instructional design principles, and blended learning, with the ability to apply these principles when guiding, reviewing, and refining AI-supported learning outputs.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel)
• Practical fluency with AI-enabled tools, including the ability to use them responsibly to accelerate learning design, content development, personalization, and iteration.
• Familiarity with innovative learning technologies
• Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available.

Work Environment

Remote Role

• This position is classified as remote where the associate will perform remote work from their primary residence. Remote associates are welcome to work from the office but are not required to do so. While remote associates are not required to work from an office on a regular basis, they may be required to come to the office or other UNFI locations for necessary business reasons or if directed to do so by their manager.

Travel (major)

• Travel is required up to 50% for this position.

Physical Environment/Demands

• Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment but could include work at Distribution Center locations
• Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at a desk or computer terminal.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephones, and other office equipment in the course of a normal workday.
• Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in the completion of job duties.

About UNFI: We are North America’s premier grocery wholesaler, delivering the widest variety of fresh, branded, and owned brand products to community grocers and retail chains alike. A pioneer in natural and organic foods, we are growing and transforming to meet the needs of an evolving workplace. Our 29,000+ employees work across America in our 50 Distribution Centers and corporate offices. Learn more: Organic, Natural and Conventional Food | Wholesale Food Distributors | UNFI

UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected ground. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the job selection process. - Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Compensation:

UNFI anticipates paying the above-referenced pay rate (or within the above-referenced pay range) for this position. Actual Pay, where applicable, will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements. UNFI is committed to transparency in pay in compliance with applicable state and local laws.

Benefits:

For Washington positions (or positions that may be performed remotely from Washington), https://www.unfi.com/jobs-more-info-wa.html for Washington-specific paid time off details.

Candidates hired into this position will also be eligible to participate in the following benefits programs: Paid Time Off; Sick Time; paid holidays and parental leave; 401K Program; medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental death/dismemberment insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance program, Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Savings Account, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements and the terms and conditions of these programs, and subject to any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements.

UNFI’s compensation, benefits, and paid time off policies are subject to change in the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with applicable law. This job posting should not be construed as an offer of employment with certain terms, nor should it be construed as a guaranteed minimum.

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.