Job description

About Us Innovative Food Holdings, Inc. (IVFH) is a leading provider in the foodservice industry, specializing in the distribution of gourmet and specialty products to customers across the United States. Our subsidiaries partner with broadline distributors, airline caterers, restaurants, and businesses to deliver high-quality ingredients and culinary solutions. About the Role We are seeking a full-time, on-site Data Platform Engineer to join our IT team in the Chicago area. This role is a key contributor to our long-term modernization strategy, serving as a technical leader and subject matter expert for our data infrastructure. While based in Chicago, this position is an enterprise-wide role within IVFH, not limited to Chicago operations. You’ll work closely with IT, developers, operations, and leadership across the enterprise to architect reliable data pipelines, support business workflows, and drive operational visibility. This position is ideal for someone who thrives in a hands-on environment, values autonomy, and enjoys solving real-world data and integration challenges. Salary Range $110,000 - $130,000 Key Responsibilities • Lead SQL Server Data Architecture: • Design, maintain, and optimize our Microsoft SQL Server environment to ensure performance, scalability, and reliability. • Data Modeling & Schema Design: • Create robust and efficient data models to support applications, reports, and automated processes. Identify facts, dimensions, and attributes to structure data effectively. • ETL Development with C# or Python: • Build and maintain ETL pipelines to integrate order, item, vendor, and other business data from a variety of sources (flat files, JSON, XML, APIs, X12 EDI, and databases). • Database Administration: • Manage indexing, backups, archiving, query tuning, and ensure database health and security. • Reporting & Analytics: • Develop and support Power BI dashboards. Connect data across systems to produce insights for inventory, finance, forecasting, and more. • Integration & Workflow Automation: • Collaborate with developers and IT to implement integrations and automation that improve operational efficiency. • Drive Data Quality & Accessibility: • Promote consistency, accuracy, and accessibility of data across departments and platforms. Ensure unstructured data becomes structured and maintain a library of data definitions. • Mentor & Lead: • Act as a data expert within the IT team. Review code, guide best practices, and help others improve their technical skills. • ERP Management: • Be fluent in ERP systems, particularly Microsoft Dynamics GP, and manage the requirements to properly set up company, item, vendor, order, etc., to ensure accurate data recording. • Compliance & Controls: • Ensure data practices align with accounting, compliance, and control standards. • Soft Skills & Cross-Functional Collaboration: • Foster a culture of open communication, adaptability, and proactive problem-solving. Partner with both technical and non-technical teams to understand needs, manage priorities, and deliver thoughtful, business-aligned data solutions. Required Skills & Qualifications • SQL Server Expertise: • 5+ years working with Microsoft SQL Server in a production environment. • Programming & ETL Development: • Proficient in C# or Python for data processing, scripting, and automation. • Data Integration Experience: • Comfortable ingesting and transforming data from multiple formats (flat files, JSON, XML, APIs, etc.). • Strong Data Modeling: • Knowledge of normalized/denormalized design, relational modeling, and indexing strategies. • Power BI Experience: • Ability to build dashboards, transform data, and present business insights effectively. • Microsoft Tools Expertise: • Strong understanding of the Microsoft ecosystem, including SQL Server and Windows-based environments. • ERP Proficiency: • Well-versed and knowledgeable about accounting, compliance, and controls. • Communication & Collaboration: • Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and translate requirements into practical solutions across departments. Bonus Qualifications • Experience working with Microsoft Dynamics GP • Familiarity with Microsoft 365, Azure, Power Automate, SharePoint, or Teams • Exposure to AI/ML or predictive analytics • Industry background in foodservice, logistics, or inventory-centric operations Why Join Us? • Become a core team member in a growing company modernizing its operations • Work in a fast-moving, hands-on environment where your ideas and tools shape the future • Long-term opportunity with leadership potential and technology-forward impact • Full benefits including 401k match

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