Associate Director - Manufacturing Food Safety & Quality

Associate Director - Manufacturing Food Safety & Quality

Reports to: Director, Quality LHD

Location: Chicago, IL

At Lactalis USA, we believe in promoting from within and providing meaningful opportunities for career growth. Lactalis is the world leader in dairy, manufacturing award‑winning products that bring people together every day.

We live by our core values—Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity—and build a workplace where innovation thrives and diverse perspectives are celebrated.

An Associate Director – Manufacturing Food Safety & Quality will develop, manage, and control programs that ensure product safety and quality. The role includes development of four 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, R&D, Engineering, Maintenance, and other Lactalis divisions to align duties with company goals.

• Take ownership of food safety and quality in new manufacturing projects; ensure the QinD process follows all required documents, including risk assessment, Food Safety Visa, QFS databases, and SOPs.
• Collaborate with R&D on specification creation for new product development, validate process capabilities, and set up KPIs to monitor ongoing performance.
• Ensure Control Plans are created and validated for new products: measurements, inspections, sampling, and analytical testing of raw materials and finished goods.
• Liaise with cross‑functional teams (R&D, Marketing, Engineering, Manufacturing quality, and facility QFS, Supplier, and Co‑man audit team) to complete QFS risk assessments and implement mitigation plans on raw material, packaging, and equipment.
• Review post‑launch quality attributes and process variability to correct deviations.
• Establish quality run rules for new product startups to ensure consistent product quality.

• 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 capital expenditures are identified, prioritized, and communicated according to the Lactalis Capex Cycle.
• Assist plants in manufacturing process improvement (process variability, CIP, and Sanitation).
• Validate that product specifications align with manufacturing capabilities and process limits.

• Establish the roadmap to food safety standards according to Lactalis essentials (HACCP, prerequisites, OPRPs, and SOPs) in collaboration with the plants.
• Support plant in developing FS KPIs and tracking/trending them.
• Ensure the FSQ team supports Environmental Monitoring Program, Foreign Material Control, Shelf‑Life Management, and performs food safety audits.

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Major in engineering, microbiology, food science, dairy science, or life sciences required.

• 15+ years related experience, including active involvement in quality programs in a cheese manufacturing environment required.

• HACCP certification preferred.
• Knowledge of cheese chemistry, Excel, and Outlook required.
• Knowledge and ability to manage quality standards QHSE and HACCP Codex required.
• Ability to develop and implement policies and procedures to investigate and resolve non‑compliant quality issues.
• Capacity to audit strategies related to hygiene, safety, risks, and environment or laboratory and to analyze, elaborate, and present results and associated action plans.

• Travel up to 50% monthly.
• Extended hours may be necessary depending on project needs.

At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs, contribute to retirement plans, and offer paid time off from day one. Training and development opportunities, including education reimbursement, support your professional growth.

Lactalis Heritage Dairy is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally recognized basis including veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities.

We encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Even if you do not meet every qualification, we want to hear about your passion, story, and expertise to make an impact.