Head of Business Analysis and Planning

Full-time
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® Italian cheeses and ricotta, Président® specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft® natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone's® cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel®, Black Diamond® cheddar, and Parmalat® milk. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy.

Lactalis USA is seeking a Director, Strategic Sourcing to join our North American Purchasing Team. Headquarters: Bedford, NH; The Director, Strategic Sourcing, is a key member of the Purchasing Team North America (NA), responsible for developing long-term purchasing strategies and implementing short and medium-term purchasing strategies, policies, practices, and systems. The incumbent will have a strong collaborative working relationship with the Company's global procurement team, local (Canadian and US) internal stakeholders throughout the organization and will lead a team comprising of managers and professionals to ensure that the overall goals of the organization are being met, including total cost and supply objectives.
Manage global strategy & negotiation initiatives led by the global procurement team by providing information such as pricing specifications and vendor listings, market intelligence and negotiating at local level for finalization. Develop long term strategies and ensure local short- and medium-term sourcing strategies are implemented by team members using in-depth knowledge and analysis of key cost drivers.
Lead cost and supply risks for key material supplies within categories by ensuring team is maintaining up to date knowledge of market changes to alert on the risk, contracting in advance of the concern or contracting low and long if it is a price risk, and finding and qualifying alternate vendors or alternate materials.
Act as intermediary for escalated issues with senior local leadership to ensure all manufacturing plants are following proper purchasing procedures and communicate changes in purchasing policies and procedures as required.
For the categories the incumbent directly manages, identify and execute value analysis and vendor transfer savings opportunities as a cross-functional effort to deliver cost reduction targets and optimize other performance measures such as on-time delivery & lead time on purchased goods and services, without jeopardizing quality, flexibility, and supply continuity.
Participate as an active cross-functional liaison by providing insight to the Senior leadership within Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, Quality, R&D, Sales and Marketing and other key functional areas of the business for effective project execution such as new launches, line extensions, and process optimization. The scope includes sourcing, pricing, as well as sharing process improvements ideas provided by the vendors.
Lead and manage Canadian/US zone team by establishing goals and priorities, and providing work direction, reviewing performance, providing support with suppliers, and providing feedback. Work with team in determining training and development needs.
Develop essential external supplier relationships to optimize supplier quality and performance, including continuous improvement, innovation, and reduction in total cost of ownership to add value to North America region. Manage supplier quality and supplier non-conformance concerns.
Support and manage the company acquisition with the support of the global procurement team
Could be assigned to special projects by the Senior Director, Corporate Procurement
The incumbent is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of Packaging Procurement team members in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Travel is required up to 50% monthly.
Extended hours may be necessary depending on the project needs.
To fulfill these responsibilities, tools such as a computer, phone or, and / or allowance(s) may be provided.
To fulfill these responsibilities, a cell phone is required.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential duties and responsibilities.
This position requires physical presence in the office, in accordance with the guidelines of the Hybrid Work Policy.
Demonstrate commitment to a safe working environment that promotes the health and well-being of all employees and that will further contribute to the Company's overall performance and success.
Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, or another appropriate discipline is required.

Minimum of fifteen (15) years' working experience, with seven (7) to ten (10) years' experience in a Procurement function, preferably at a food company.
Minimum 5 years management experience within plastic packaging categories (Flexible: films, pouches, sleeves)
Good leadership and ability to interact with a wide variety of management levels and business situations
Strong planning, project management, leadership skills and execution skills
Rigorous data driven/analytical capability
Foundational knowledge of contract law and legal terms & conditions
Foundational knowledge of financial statements i.e. the impact of the role on the business
Proficient with Microsoft Office including advanced proficiency MS Excel and MS PowerPoint

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. 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 Affirmative Action Employer will comply with all related legal obligations.