Category Manager

Description Ready for more than just a job? Build a career with purpose. At Lactalis in the USA, we're committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive- whether you're just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed. As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we're proud to produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together. In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani, President, Kraft, Breakstone's, Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, and Parmalat. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggis, Stonyfield Organic, Brown Cow, Oui, Yoplait, Go-Gurt, :ratio, Green Mountain Creamery, and Mountain High, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun, Gopi, and Arz. At Lactalis, we live by our core values—Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone's unique background and ideas are valued. Even if you don't meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy. From your PASSION to ours Lactalis US Yogurt , part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring a Manager, Raw Material based in Casa Grande, AZ . The Manager, Raw Material will serve as a strategic technical liaison between factory operations and financial performance, focusing on systematic waste elimination and process optimization. The role will own the facility's mass balance and yield results to enhance production efficiency through time spent on the plant floor. The Manager, Raw Material, will be responsible for the entire data lifecycle—from managing in-process sampling and wastewater analysis to auditing measurement equipment and volume accuracy. Ultimately, this role will ensure that raw material loss is minimized and that all operational data is translated into clear, actionable KPIs that support the plant’s broader financial goals and core values. This role will report to the Plant Performance Manager. From your EXPERTISE to ours Key responsibilities for this position include: Reconcile all liquid material data, including composition, weight, and volume, to ensure the absolute technical and financial accuracy of the plant’s mass balance. Execute the industrial action plan to aggressively reduce physical losses, enhance standardization, and minimize finished good waste throughout the facility. Serve as a strategic technical liaison on the production floor, bridging departmental gaps to facilitate real-time data exchange and align operations with site objectives. Audit and upgrade sampling protocols, measurement equipment, and testing frequencies to guarantee the reliability of all mass balance data inputs. Analyze wastewater metrics to identify specific loss events and quantify their direct correlation to environmental impact and financial performance. Produce comprehensive weekly and monthly reports for leadership that provide clear visibility into manufacturing yields, variances, and key performance indicators. Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities by facilitating multidisciplinary teams to evaluate processes, reduce costs, and improve financial outcomes. Manage technical projects from initial scope to final execution, partnering with maintenance, operations and engineering to ensure high return on investment. Uphold rigorous compliance with GMP, Quality, and OSHA standards while strictly maintaining departmental sanitation and the confidentiality of sensitive data. Evaluate and suggest improvements to volume measurement methods and equipment to ensure reliable inputs for reporting and performance analysis. WORK CONDITIONS Travel may be required occasionally. Extended hours may be necessary depending on the project's needs To fulfill these responsibilities, tools such as a computer and / or allowance(s) will be provided. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential duties and responsibilities. This position requires physical presence in the office. From your STORY to ours Qualified applicants will contribute the following: Education An Associate's Degree is required. A Bachelor's Degree is preferred. Majors in Engineering, Chemistry, and Dairy Science are preferred. Experience 4+ years of manufacturing experience is required. Dairy or other related experience preferred. Certifications and specific knowledge Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies Ability to follow through multiple complex tasks and projects simultaneously. Computer proficiency: Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Requirements At Lactalis, we offer 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. Join us and grow your career. Lactalis 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. Further, any division of the Company that is an Aff... [text truncated for display] #J-18808-Ljbffr