Interviewers at UNFI use a mix of behavioral and situational questions to gauge your experience and fit. Expect a focus on your past roles and how you have handled specific challenges in project delivery.

Behavioral and Career History

These questions test your professional consistency and your ability to reflect on your career path.

• Why are you looking to leave your current position?
• Describe the reasons for your transitions between your last three roles.
• What has been your greatest professional achievement in the last two years?
• Tell me about a time you felt undervalued in a role and how you handled it.

Project Management Process

These questions evaluate your technical approach to managing projects and teams.

• How do you handle a project that is falling behind schedule?
• Describe your process for risk management and mitigation.
• How do you ensure that project requirements are clearly defined and understood by all stakeholders?
• What tools do you use to track project health and team velocity?

Conflict and Stakeholder Management

These questions assess your interpersonal skills and ability to lead through influence.

• Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a stakeholder. How did you resolve it?
• How do you manage a project where the stakeholders have conflicting priorities?
• Describe a situation where you had to deliver bad news to a project sponsor.

Key Responsibilities

As a Project Manager, your primary responsibility is the successful delivery of projects that enhance UNFI's operational efficiency. This involves creating detailed project plans, managing budgets, and ensuring that all deliverables align with the company's strategic goals. You will spend a significant portion of your day in meetings with cross-functional partners, translating business needs into actionable project tasks.

In a Value Delivery capacity, you will focus on initiatives that provide the highest ROI for the organization. This might include optimizing supply chain software or leading the rollout of new internal tools. You are expected to be the "source of truth" for your projects, providing regular status updates and identifying risks before they become critical issues.

For those in Scrum Master roles, your day-to-day involves shielding the team from external interruptions and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. You will work closely with developers and integration specialists to ensure that the technical pipeline remains clear and that the team is consistently delivering high-quality increments.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

A successful candidate for the Project Manager position at UNFI typically possesses a combination of formal certification and hands-on experience in complex environments.

• Technical Skills – Proficiency in project management software (Jira, MS Project, Smartsheet) and a strong understanding of SDLC. Familiarity with ERP systems or supply chain technology is a significant advantage.
• Experience Level – Most roles require 5–10 years of project management experience, with a proven track record of managing budgets and cross-functional teams.
• Soft Skills – Exceptional communication skills are non-negotiable. You must be able to lead meetings effectively and write clear, concise documentation.

Must-have skills:

• PMP or Scrum Master certification (CSM).
• Experience managing remote or distributed teams.
• Strong financial acumen for budget tracking and reporting.

Nice-to-have skills:

• Experience in the wholesale, grocery, or logistics industry.
• Background in software support or technical account management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much preparation time is typical for this role? A: Most successful candidates spend 5–10 hours researching UNFI's recent business moves, practicing behavioral stories, and brushing up on Agile or PMP principles.

Q: What differentiates a successful candidate at UNFI? A: Resilience and clarity. Candidates who can demonstrate they have successfully managed projects through high levels of ambiguity and organizational change tend to stand out.

Q: What is the culture like for Project Managers? A: It is a professional and stable environment, but one that requires a high degree of self-sufficiency. You are expected to take ownership of your projects and drive them to completion with minimal hand-holding.

Q: What is the typical timeline from the first screen to an offer? A: The process can take anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the urgency of the role and the availability of the hiring team.

Other General Tips

• Research UNFI Initiatives: Be familiar with the company’s progressive initiatives, such as their sustainability goals and recent acquisitions. Mentioning these shows you are interested in the company beyond just the job description.
• Clarify the Role: Since some roles may involve more software support or vendor servicing than traditional project management, ask specific questions about daily tasks during the hiring manager interview.
• Prepare for "Old School" Questions: Be ready for direct questions about your job history and reasons for leaving previous companies. Answer these professionally and concisely without being defensive.
• Showcase Your Adaptability: Highlight instances where you successfully managed a project pivot or took on responsibilities outside your initial scope.

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Summary & Next Steps

The Project Manager position at UNFI offers a unique opportunity to lead critical initiatives within one of the most vital industries in North America. By managing the complex projects that keep the supply chain moving, you will play a direct role in the company’s mission to deliver better food to more people.

To succeed, focus your preparation on demonstrating a balance of technical project management expertise and strong interpersonal leadership. Be ready to articulate your career journey clearly and show how your specific skills in Agile, stakeholder management, and system integration will add immediate value to the UNFI team.

The salary ranges for these roles are broad, reflecting the different levels of seniority and specialization required. When discussing compensation, consider the total package, including the remote work flexibility that many of these positions offer. For more detailed insights and to connect with other candidates who have interviewed at UNFI, be sure to explore the resources available on Dataford. With focused preparation and a clear understanding of the role's impact, you are well-positioned to excel in your interviews.