Job Description

Do you want to work as a critical link between business and technology in one of the leading company in its field? K Group is looking for an experienced and technically strong data professional to join K IT and strengthen our Grocery Trade IT Data Services team as Senior Manager working in IT Application Owner role.

We are working in a hybrid workplace model where we combine office days and remote work to best suit both the role and the team. Come join our professional team and start building your own kind of career in K group!

About the role

This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of developing, maintaining, and continuously improving business-critical data and analytics solutions as well as our strongly evolving AI capabilities. The role combines daily hands-on problem solving, application ownership, service management, and participation in development initiatives both as a subject matter expert and, when needed, as a project manager for smaller projects.

What does an IT Application Owner do?

The IT Application Owner is responsible for the end-to-end management, maintenance and development of their assigned service and application portfolio. The role includes both business functionality and technical lifecycle management, ensuring the continuity, stability, and evolution of the solutions under their ownership. In addition, IT Application Owner guides and collaborates with offshore partners and other service providers, while ensuring the continuous quality, availability, continuity and development of the services.

Our IT Application owners work closely with business stakeholders, architects, development and core IT teams, and external service partners. Success in this role requires the ability to understand business needs, translate them into technical requirements, and drive solutions into practical implementation together with various stakeholders.

The role also requires a high-level understanding of the technical environment surrounding the applications, including capacity management, networking and connectivity solutions, as well as any service-related hardware and its operational principles.

What are we looking for?

Your responsibilities will focus on new and emerging data platforms and applications that we refer to as data kiosks. These solutions are primarily built on Snowflake technology utilizing dbt (data build tool), making strong practical experience with Snowflake and a solid understanding of modern data platform architectures and operating models essential for success in this role.

The position also requires strong SQL skills, including the ability to design, develop, and utilize SQL queries for data analysis, reporting, data model interpretation, and problem solving. Experience with reporting and analytics tools such as Qlik Sense, Sigma, or similar technologies is also highly valued.

Your skills and background:

• Strong experience with Snowflake and modern data platform solutions.
• Good SQL skills and hands-on experience in data analysis and reporting.
• Experience with reporting and analytics tools (e.g., Qlik Sense, Sigma).
• The ability to manage applications, integrations, and related service ecosystems.
• Strong experience working with IT vendors and offshore delivery teams.
• Excellent collaboration, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Project management experience is considered an advantage as well as knowledge of the retail industry.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written in English. Proficiency in Finnish is considered a significant asset.
• Relevant academic background.

The role emphasizes a willingness and ability to take initiative and work independently, develop one’s own work and ways of working by utilizing new digital and intelligent solutions as part of everyday operations.

Why join us?

We offer an opportunity to work at the heart of the business with modern data and analytics solutions, and to play a key role in shaping and developing data capabilities as part of K Group's digital transformation journey.

• You’ll be working on business-critical platforms and your work really matters: the input you provide can affect the daily shopping experience of our customers (and there are millions of them, by the way!).
• You have a great chance to work with the pioneer of modern grocery and wholesale trade.
• You get a broad view of the rapidly developing commerce and trade sector.
• Become part of community of expert colleagues, who are ready to support each other when you need it.

What else we offer

• For office days - modern office with several accommodations (e.g., collaboration and break areas throughout the office, gym, health care services, restaurant and cafeteria…) along good connections in Kalasatama, Helsinki.
• Modern work tools and numerous opportunities to learn and network as a future professional.
• Extensive employee benefits unique to the K group. These include, among others: Culture & sport benefit (ePassi), shopping benefits that apply in K-Group stores and staff shops (K-Citymarket, K-Supermarket & K-Market, K-Rauta, Intersport, Budget Sport), own occupational health care services and leisure time accident insurance. You are also entitled to a car benefit according to our company policy.

At K Group we have a dynamic work community that focuses on well-being at work. For example, we provide several opportunities for growth: training, e-learning courses, and other opportunities for professional development and career growth. We also Support work-life balance and encourage a positive work culture that promotes open communication, teamwork, and collaboration.

Next steps

The application period ends on 14.9.2026 but we will process applicants already during the application period. The work on the task starts as soon as a suitable person is found. All candidates will be informed within couple weeks after the application period has ended. The chosen candidate(s) is/are required to take a drug test before an employment relationship can be established.

Please note you will need the existing right to work in the country you apply for. Kesko is unable to sponsor work permits or visas.

For more information about the task, please contact your future supervisor Miia Laaksonen, Head of Payment, Loyalty & GT Data Services in K IT, by email miia.m.laaksonen@kesko.fi or by phone +358 50 543 5641 on Fri 28.8 14-15, Tue 1.9 9-10, Fri 4.9 12-13 and Thu 10.9 13-14.

Please submit your application via the apply -link - we'd love to hear your salary expectations as well.

We at K Group value diversity and believe that different backgrounds and perspectives are key to success. We strive to create a work environment where everyone has the opportunity to grow. Equality, non-discrimination, and fairness are our core principles in recruitment, compensation, and career development.