Full-Time
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Lactalis
10,001+ employees
Global dairy products producer and employer
No salary listed
Merrimack, NH, USA
Hybrid
Frequent travel up to 25% monthly; office presence required under Hybrid Work Policy.
 Operations & Logistics (1) |
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- Bachelor’s degree required; major in Business, Agriculture, or Dairy Science preferred
- 10+ years of dairy procurement or supply chain management experience required
- Expertise in milk management, including producer support (technical, legal, economic, and administrative), milk payments, logistics, and distribution
- Strong procurement category management skills: ability to define purchasing strategy in alignment with internal needs and supplier market dynamics
- Proficiency in procurement cost management: identifying cost levers, controlling, forecasting, and reducing costs
- Supplier management experience: selection, performance improvement, and fostering reliability, quality, service, cost efficiency, and innovation
- Strong negotiation strategy and tools expertise, including preparation and facilitation of supplier negotiations
- Analytical thinking skills with the ability to rigorously assess data, identify causes/effects, and make effective decisions
- Change management expertise to lead transitions, minimize resistance, and engage stakeholders effectively
- Proven leadership skills with the ability to act as a role model, positively influence others, and drive collective achievement
- People management experience: talent identification and recruitment, goal setting, delegation, motivation, and team development in a dynamic environment
- Knowledge of the organic dairy market preferred
- Mastery and knowledge of the agricultural environment (political, economic)
- Knowledge of the organic dairy market preferred
- Understanding of corporate social responsibility and sustainability practices could be implied by responsibilities
- Knowledge of S&OP processes and budgeting would be part of financial processes
- Milk Sourcing Strategy: Lead organic milk sourcing initiatives and long-term strategic planning
- Commodity Buying/Selling: Manage procurement and sales of dairy commodities, including cream
- Market Insight/Risk Management: Analyze market trends and pricing to mitigate risk and inform strategy
- Data & BI Analytics: Utilize data tools to support forecasting, budgeting, and performance tracking
- Co-op Relations: Build and maintain strong relationships with dairy cooperatives and suppliers
- Holiday/Seasonal Planning: Ensure milk supply continuity during seasonal demand fluctuations
- Contract Negotiation: Negotiate supplier agreements and pricing structures
- Pricing and Bonus Programs: Develop and manage pricing models and supplier incentive programs
- Brand Leadership: Support brand initiatives through strategic sourcing and innovation inputs
- Develop a strategic vision for the 3–5-year supply of organic milk and cultivate relationships with prospective suppliers who fit our organic milk supply sourcing criteria
- Serve as the sourcing lead for Organic fluid milk, with a focus on organic supply
- Develop and execute sourcing/procurement strategies to meet business and sustainability goals
- Seek out and negotiate contracts and agreements with cooperatives and other milk suppliers
- Oversee dairy byproduct sales, primarily cream, to maximize returns
- Ensure delivery of productivity objectives through strategic sourcing and cost management
- Establish and maintain contacts throughout the dairy industry to stay informed and build influence
- Actively participate in industry boards and other related activities to represent Lactalis and gain insights
- Maintain up-to-date information on market activities and industry developments
- Develop fundamental market analysis of U.S. dairy prices, both conventional and organic
- Lead the key financial processes, including: Budget and latest forecasts, Monthly analyses and integrity of monthly actuals, ProForma P&L inputs for innovation, renovation, sales bids, and other commercial initiatives
- Serve as primary liaison to Supply Chain and Industrial teams
- Coordinate with Milk Procurement Operations team to ensure efficient and optimized scheduling of raw milk and commodities
- Partner in S&OP processes to develop short- and long-term forecasts for milk
- Partner with Farm Relationship Associate Director to develop the right mix of direct vs indirect and pricing and bonus programs to incentivize best in class raw milk supply
- Responsible for Corporate Social Responsibility implementation of cooperative/partner supply
- Garner support from the organic Farm Relationship team on development of GHG reduction strategies and best practices
- Knowledge of the organic dairy market preferred
- Mastery and knowledge of the agricultural environment (political, economic)
- Ability to leverage industry boards and associations for insights and influence
- Experience in S&OP and budget processes supporting procurement
- Experience in creating and managing supplier incentive programs
- Experience in cooperative relationships and farm relationships
Lactalis is a global dairy group with roots in Laval, France, employing about 80,000 people across 250 production sites in around 100 countries. It covers all dairy categories—milk, ultra-fresh dairy, cheese, butter, cream, and dairy ingredients—through a portfolio of roughly 100 brands that ranges from major national names to local labels. Its products come from a long-standing dairy expertise rooted in cheesemongering and AOP cheese production, delivered through many sites and brands to fit local food cultures. Its goal is to offer healthy, gourmet, and accessible dairy products to as many people as possible while supporting rural economies and maintaining leadership in the global dairy industry.
Company Size
10,001+
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Mayenne, France
Founded
1933
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Midwest Yogurt launches June 30, 2025, with Kerry DeLaney as CEO driving innovation.
- $75M NY investment boosts capacity, automation, creates 50 jobs.
- $4.2B Fonterra deal expands into Oceania, Southeast Asia, Middle East.
What critics are saying
- Fonterra integration fails within 12-24 months due to minimal due diligence.
- U.S. regulators block consolidation, force divestitures of yogurt brands in 6-18 months.
- Debt from $4.2B Fonterra, $1.2B General Mills burdens refinancing in 12-36 months.
What makes Lactalis unique
- Lactalis integrates Yoplait into Midwest Yogurt, becoming largest U.S. yogurt producer.
- Acquired ProViva from Danone, expanding nationally in Sweden via Skånemejerier.
- Controls Stonyfield, Siggi’s, Brown Cow alongside new $1.2B Midwest brands.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Professional Development Budget
Wellness Program
Company News
Danone has entered into an agreement to sell its Swedish probiotic fruit juices brand, ProViva, to the French dairy group Lactalis. This transaction involves the sale of the Österlenmejeriet factory located in Lunnarp, Skåne County, in southeastern Sweden. The factory is Danone's only facility in Sweden and has previously received a Skr140m (approximately $16.9m) investment in 2020.
Fonterra Co-operative Group's shareholders have approved the sale of its consumer business to French company Lactalis for $4.2 billion. The decision was made during a brief online special meeting, which lasted only 20 minutes and included no questions from shareholders.
The dairy giant's boss explains why it has agreed to sell its consumer businesses, including Mainland and Anchor, for nearly $4 billion.
Lactalis USA invests $75M in NY dairy plants, expanding capacity, automation, and creating 50 jobs with state tax support.
Lactalis, the French dairy group, has completed the acquisition of General Mills' yogurt business in the United States. This move makes Lactalis the third-largest player in the fresh dairy sector in the U.S. and strengthens its local presence with an expanded brand portfolio and new industrial sites.