Associate Director – Manufacturing Food Safety

Associate Director – Manufacturing Food Safety & Quality Reports To: Director, Quality LHD Location: Chicago, IL Job Type: Full-time Looking for a job that can grow into a lifelong career? At Lactalis USA, we believe in promoting from within and giving our employees meaningful opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Whether you’re just starting out or bringing years of experience, we’ll provide the tools and support you need to succeed. As an Associate Director – Manufacturing Food Safety & Quality, the role carries out responsibilities such as development, management, and control of a wide range of programs and activities that ensure product safety and quality in manufacturing. This includes the development, management, and control of 4 food safety and quality pillars: Food Safety Systems, Quality in Operation, Quality Performance, and Quality in Design. The Associate Director will collaborate with Plant Leadership, RD, Engineering, Maintenance, and other Lactalis divisions to align duties with the company's goals and values. Key Responsibilities Quality in Design (QinD) Take ownership of food safety and quality in new manufacturing projects; ensure the QinD process is followed and includes all required documents, such as risk assessment, Food Safety Visa, QFS databases, and SOPs. Collaborate with RD in creation of specification for new product development. Validate process capabilities, compliance with new product specifications (Quality standards) and set up KPIs to monitor on‑going performance to comply with customer requirements. Ensure that Control Plans are created and validated for new products: measurements, inspections, sampling, analytical testing of raw materials and finished goods, etc. Liaise with cross‑functional teams such as R&D, Marketing, Engineering, Manufacturing quality and facility QFS, Supplier and Co‑man audit team to ensure the QFS risk assessments are completed, and mitigation plans are implemented on raw material, packaging and equipment. Ensure all quality attributes of the product and process variability are reviewed post‑launch and make corrections to deviations. Establish quality run rules for new product startups to ensure product quality is consistent. Quality Performance Support facilities in investigating nonconformities with root‑cause analysis and corrective actions. Assist plants in lowering CPM. Lead continuous improvement programs by training and coaching (rework, 5S, center lining, etc.). Ensure industrial quality capex is identified, prioritized, and communicated according to the Lactalis Capex Cycle. Assist the plants in manufacturing process improvement (process variability, CIP, and Sanitation). Validate that the product specifications are aligned with manufacturing capabilities and process limits. Food Safety/Quality in Operation Establish the roadmap to food safety standards according to Lactalis essentials (HACCP, Prerequisites, OPRPs, and SOPs) in collaboration with the plants. Support the plants in developing FS KPIs and tracking/trending them. Ensure the FSQ team is appropriately supporting the plants in Environmental Monitoring Program, Foreign Material Control, Shelf‑Life Management, and performing food safety audits. Qualifications Education Bachelor's degree is required. A major in engineering, microbiology, food science, dairy science, or life sciences is required. Experience 15+ years related experience, including active involvement in Quality Programs in the cheese manufacturing environment, is required. Certifications & Knowledge Preferred certifications: HACCP. Knowledge of cheese chemistry, Excel, Outlook is required. Knowledge and ability to manage Quality standards QHSE and HACCP codex. Ability to develop and implement policies and procedures to investigate and resolve non‑compliant quality issues. Capacity to audit strategies in terms of Hygiene, Safety, Risks and Environment or Laboratory and to analyze, elaborate, and present the results and the associated action plans (teams of investigation). Work Conditions Travel is required up to 50% monthly. Extended hours may be necessary depending on the project's needs. Benefits Lactalis offers a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. EEO Statement Lactalis Heritage Dairy is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally‑recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities. Salary $145,000 - $165,000 + 20% Annual Bonus #J-18808-Ljbffr