Research And Development Manager

Job Title: Manager, Research & Development (Hard Cheese Category)

Location: Ingleside, Ontario

About Us:

Welcome to Lactalis Canada – where we take pride in being recognized as one of Forbes' 2022 top employers! Our journey revolves around enhancing the lives of Canadians through a rich variety of dairy delights, including some of Canadian’s favourite dairy brands such as Black Diamond Cheese, Lactantia Milk, Astro Yogourt, Balderson Cheese, and Cheestrings. In fact, we’re proud to say our products grace the shelves of an incredible 94% of Canadian households!

With a 140-year legacy driven by innovation and unwavering quality, we’re seeking like-minded individuals to join us in shaping our next chapter.

About the opportunity:

The incumbent provides technical leadership and specialized knowledge, expertise, and management of research activities to support the Hard cheese volume, profit targets and growth plans. The position is responsible for the introduction of innovation related to new products, ingredients, technologies, and cost savings initiatives by coordinating team members to deliver project goals. The position ensures qualification and validation to meet the R&D Hard Cheese business objective.

The attributes we are looking for:

• Manage hard cheese product development plans and resources to execute activities of product development initiatives, innovation pipeline projects, formulation optimization opportunities and process technologies to achieve business and strategic priorities.
• Effectively lead multiple research projects for the R&D Hard Cheese. Provide technical direction/interpretation of results to research team to design and execute experiments to meet project commitments.
• Lead, identify and communicate product development requirements and activities to Leadership Marketing, Sales and R&D. Communication with key stakeholders purchasing and operations to ensure execution of project plan.
• Support R&D-Hard cheese in the execution of Purchasing and Operations cost reduction programs related to product categories.
• Responsible for costs related to plant trials in support to execute the R&D SR&ED program in support of corporate tax initiatives. Collaborate with R&D Directors/managers on plant trial budget SR&ED deliverables.
• Support investigations and collaborate with other Lactalis departments and resources of R&D, Manufacturing, QFS, and Engineering, purchasing to assess and identify product/production issues and/or opportunities and lead FS development activities in support of the necessary action plan.
• Provide Technical support to Marketing in the development and of the supporting sales documents.
• In collaboration with Senior Director, R&D-Cheese and ingredients lead and manage reports including hiring, establishing goals and priorities, providing work direction and reviewing performance including development needs. Collaborate with team members do develop their Individual development plans (IDP) and provide coaching, training focusing on career growth and enhancing engagement for R&D division and Lactalis as a group. Provide vision ensuring that each team member is clear on the individual project objectives as well as division and company objectives
• Promote and enforce activities to maintain a safe and healthy working environment to meet site and corporate safety objectives

What you will bring:

• University degree in Food Science, microbiology, chemistry or related discipline
• Master’s or PhD in related discipline an asset
• Minimum ten (10) years experience in dairy or food industry
• Supervisory experience is an asset.
• Leadership capabilities including being able to work well in a team environment. Ability to lead initiatives and project teams. Ability to work cross functionally and develop rapport with all levels of the organization.
• Strong analytical skills and good judgment; high degree of integrity. Application of theories and practice of chemistry/food science/microbiology to improve processes and develop new innovative products. Ability to apply strategic thinking or abstract reasoning when approaching complex problem solving
• Strong verbal and written communication skills including meeting facilitation and presentations. Ability to clearly articulate goals and objectives, and ability to present and communicate ideas in both written and oral forms
• Strong influencing and negotiating skills with the ability to reach mutually acceptable resolutions
• Ability to work in unstructured environments and to multi-task, with good process orientation and attention to detail without losing sight of the 'big picture' perspective
• Thorough knowledge of the dairy product components and their functionality as well as a solid understanding of GMP’s and HACCP specifically in a food production environment
• Knowledge of Canadian Regulations
• Ability to lead, motivate, engage, train and develop direct reports
• Ability to operate standard office applications such as Microsoft Office and email

What Lactalis will offer:

Lactalis Canada believes in rewarding its people with the following comprehensive benefits package and perks:

• A Competitive Base Salary
• A Performance-Based Bonus System
• 4 Weeks of Vacation
• Benefits starting day 1
• A Pension Program with an Employer Match at 100% of up to 6%
• Tuition reimbursement plan of up to $3,000/year
• A Volunteer Day to give back to your community
• Learning and Development opportunities
• A commitment to internal career advancement with potential for international mobility

Our ESG commitment:

Our ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) roadmap drives our sustainability mission. We aim to positively impact communities and the planet by enabling stakeholders including our people, consumers, customers, suppliers, dairy farmers, government, and industry partners to have a positive impact on the wellbeing of our communities and the planet through all that we do.

At Lactalis Canada, we value our employees as catalysts for positive change. Together, we will create a sustainable future, promote belonging, and make a lasting impact on the world.

Our commitment to DEI:

Fuel Our Culture with Your Uniqueness! Lactalis thrives on the value each person brings. We're dedicated to amplifying diverse voices, inviting personal and professional growth, and embracing everyone's true selves. We're committed to crafting an environment that genuinely welcomes all, reflecting the richness of our people and communities. We apply an equal access to employment program and invite women, aboriginal people, visible minorities, and people with disabilities to apply.

Our promise extends to accessible processes and spaces. If you require accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary, or permanent), please inform our Talent Acquisition team – confidentiality will be maintained.

Note: Lactalis Canada does not conduct credit or background checks through LinkedIn. If required, we'll contact you after signing a Job Offer.

Compensation:

As part of our commitment to fairness, trust, and transparency and our ambition to be an Employer of Choice, the base salary range for this position is $111,400 – $139,200+ .

Please note: Along with a comprehensive Total Rewards package, your actual base salary will be fair, competitive, and be based on your skills, experience, and qualifications