International Business Manager, Ingredients (405 TWM)

Welcome to Lactalis Canada! We’re proud to be Canada’s #1 branded dairy company and to be consistently recognized as one of the country’s top employers by Forbes. Our purpose is to enrich and nurture the lives of Canadians by offering the best of dairy from Canada’s favourite dairy brands like Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, Balderson, Astro and Lactantia. In fact, our products can be found in over 90% of Canadian refrigerators in any given time. As part of Lactalis Group, the world’s leading dairy company, we remain focused on innovation and quality and are seeking like-minded individuals to join us as we continue our growth journey.

Our flexible hybrid work model accommodates 40% remote work, adapting to the evolving needs of our workforce. Step into a collaborative hub with our revamped office, and enjoy free parking, endless coffee, delicious Lactalis snacks, an on-site gym, and more!

Job Purpose

The International Business Manager is responsible for import commodity supplies, market clearing sales, and some domestic customers with a global presence. The IBM manages commercial relationships with end users, vendors, customers, brokers, traders, distributors, and intercompany ingredient sales to Lactalis Ingredients France.

Responsibility

• Lead all aspects of international sales and import commodity purchases of dairy ingredients to meet Ingredient division strategic objectives and achieve volume growth and profit objectives. This includes understanding the global market, developing business relationships, determining customer product needs, envisioning, and capturing opportunities, obtaining product approval, negotiating contracts, communicating forecasted volume requirements, and conducting business reviews, all while staying aware of our own manufacturing/supply limitations.
• Collaborate closely with the Ingredient division supporting teams and other Lactalis cross‑functional teams to align the requirements for successful international ingredients trade. These requirements include: foreign country registrations, export documentation, custom duties, Harmonized System (HS) codes, export logistics, global dairy market analysis, costing and pricing; technical documentation, packaging, labeling, functionality, and quality requirements; setting up new customers and communication with Accounts Receivable to grant credit approval; communication between internal and customer departments (R&D, Regulatory, Quality and Operations).
• Coordinate international sales efforts with other Lactalis Groupe stakeholders (e.g. Lactalis America Group, Lactalis Ingredients France, etc) to attain best value of ingredient sales for Lactalis Canada and the Groupe as a whole. This includes decision making on selling directly to international customers or through the intercompany Lactalis Ingredients France team.
• Manage and develop existing and new domestic business. This is achieved by: building relationships with customers at both purchasing and R & D levels, ascertaining customer’s ingredients needs, proposing solutions that use Lactalis ingredients and/or third‑party supplier ingredients and working with customer’s and Lactalis Canada cross‑functional teams to ensure proper customer set up, volume forecast updates, technical documentation, and ongoing support is maintained.
• Ensure domestic customer day‑to‑day needs are met by communicating with functional areas (Customer Service, Operations, Credit, Logistics, etc), including the resolution of non‑routine customer service issues such as quality and delivery.
• Manage report(s) to achieve the goals and nurture them to promote their growth into leaders. This includes delegating responsibilities, setting goals, creating timelines, and assigning tasks for completion, as appropriate.
• Travel for in‑person attendance at domestic and international trade events and for customer meetings to develop business opportunities, present technical product information and ensure Lactalis Canada’s position as the premier ingredient supplier.
• Manage claims and ensure cross‑functional teams are involved in the appropriateresolution. Maintain communication with customers until resolved.

Qualifications

• University degree or College diploma, preferably in Food Science or International Trade or related fields, or relevant experience.
• 7 years’ experience in account management and international trade, with a minimum three (3) years’ experience effectively managing mid‑size and full‑size foodservice or ingredient accounts, preferably in the Canadian dairy and/or global dairy environment.
• Familiarity with trade agreement such as CPTPP, CETA, CUSMA
• Experience with multi‑level relationship building.
• Solid knowledge of the Canadian milk system and/or global dairy market.
• Proficient in negotiation and problem solving.
• Extraordinary situational awareness and perception of international markets that, coupled with solid business acumen, will promote development of original, entrepreneurial business opportunities.
• Ability to think strategically and with depth of comprehension.
• Strong negotiation skills: Able to strategically negotiate desired outcomes when facing executives from world‑class companies and negotiators who are experts in dairy and commodities.
• Strong analytical, planning, presentation, and problem‑solving skills
• Excellent people skills to manage reports and to work effectively within a small team environment requiring open sharing of information.
• Professional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Bilingual or Multi‑lingual preferable
• Proficient with standard office computer technology such as Microsoft Office and the Internet, as well as working knowledge of SAP and BW
• In depth knowledge of Canadian milk system, global dairy markets, and understanding of food composition, nutrition and manufacturing.

Competency

• Care
• Dare
• Inspire
• Share

What Lactalis Will Offer

• A Competitive Base Salary
• Company Vehicle or Car Allowance
• 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: $111,400.00–$139,200.00 .

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.