Job Title: Quality in Design (QiD) Manager

Location: Etobicoke, ON

About Us:

Welcome to Lactalis Canada - where we take pride in being recognized as one of 2025 GTA's Top Employers! As well as Forbes Canada, Top Canadian Employers for 2025! Our journey revolves around enhancing the lives of Canadians through a rich variety of dairy delights, including some of Canadian's favourite dairy brands such as like Black Diamond Cheese, Lactantia Milk, Astro Yogurt, Balderson Cheese, and Cheestrings. In fact, we're proud to say our products grace the shelves of an incredible 94% of Canadian households!

With a 140-year legacy driven by innovation and unwavering quality, we're seeking like-minded individuals to join us in shaping our next chapter. Our flexible hybrid work model accommodates 40% remote work, adapting to the evolving needs of our workforce. Step into a collaborative hub with our revamped office, and enjoy free parking, endless coffee, delicious Lactalis snacks, an on-site gym, and more!

About the opportunity:

The QiD Manager leads the Quality and Food Safety design of Innovation/ Renovation/ Productivity projects for the Cultured division, within the funnel of innovation process, from end to end, up to and including the first production approval and post launch, to ensure compliance with specifications and process capability.

The attributes we are looking for:

• Ensure the QiD process is followed when a project enters the Innovation funnel, including all required and supporting documents, such as risk assessment, QFS databases, and procedures.
• Prioritize projects that must go through the established QiD process, deliver on innovation/renovation/productivity projects, and ensure that the risks associated with each stage are managed.
• Ensure standard monitoring practices are set up and/or revised to set product launches up for success, in keeping with compliance to Lactalis Canada and customers' specifications/ expectations.Includes monitoring and analyzing quality performance.
• Establish standardization of measurements/inspections/sampling practices being in place and validated, as part of the quality design development, including physical and analytical testing of raw materials and finished goods.
• 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 with input from the right stakeholders across the entire Innovation process of the project.
• Support first production runs (on-site and/or remote support) and ensure proper hand off from R&D to factory quality and production team.
• Carry out post-launch follow-up, and feedback, make corrections if there are deviations from the elements implemented and implement corrective actions when flaws are identified. Quality Improvement support and/or lead for RCA/CAPA using Continuous Improvement tools.
• Identify and drive creative solutions and drive for results.
• Develop and implement quality standards (i.e. measurement methodology systems, Gauge Repeatability &Reproducibility) within and across product categories, including improvements, as needed.
• Validate process capabilities, compliance to new product specifications (Quality standards) and set up KPIs to monitor on-going performance.
• Establish standardized run rules for the factories to action quality requirements, to ensure product quality consistency is maintained and sustained.
• Lead the work to standardize measuring equipment/devices and methodology.
• Demonstrate ability to work effectively in formal and informal teams with people across the company's different functions, including Marketing, R&D, Engineering, Operations, Purchasing and other departments.
• Engage with the Marketing and R&D functions in the Innovation team meetings to ensure compliance and product consistency concerns and needs are discussed and reviewed collaboratively.
• Implement needed change through influence and motivate others, enhance their ability to contribute to the QiD process.

What you will bring:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in manufacturing or quality with increasing responsibilities, and exposure to both unionized and non-union settings.
• Knowledge in quality and food safety.
• Knowledge of cultured products is an asset.
• Green Belt certified with demonstrated practical implementation of the principles to demonstrate capability to apply the theories to real situations with successful results.
• Experience in Lean Six Sigma (L6s), Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) or Continuous Integration (CI).
• ERP/SAP experience, advanced proficiency with office computer technology including Microsoft Office and comfortable working in technology.
• Ability to prioritize, work under tight timelines and in a remote environment in addition to multitasking.
• Demonstrate track record in driving accountability for results (people, process, performance) personally and with teams.
• Sense of Urgency and tenacity.
• Ability to work flexible hours and shifts (afternoon/nights) including weekends.
• Able to travel across Canada.
• Bilingual (English & French) is an asset.

What Lactalis will offer:

Lactalis Canada believes in rewarding its people with the following comprehensive benefits package and perks:

• A Competitive Base Salary
• A Performance-Based Bonus System
• 4 Weeks of Vacation
• Benefits starting day 1
• A Pension Program with an Employer Match at 100% of up to 6%
• Tuition reimbursement plan of up to $3,000/year
• A Volunteer Day to give back to your community
• Learning and Development opportunities
• A commitment to internal career advancement with potential for international mobility

Our ESG commitment:

Our ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) roadmap drives our sustainability mission. We aim to positively impact communities and the planet by enabling stakeholders including our people, consumers, customers, suppliers, dairy farmers, government, and industry partners to have a positive impact on the wellbeing of our communities and the planet through all that we do.

At Lactalis Canada, we value our employees as catalysts for positive change. Together, we will create a sustainable future, promote belonging, and make a lasting impact on the world.

Our commitment to DEI:

Fuel Our Culture with Your Uniqueness! Lactalis thrives on the value each person brings. We're dedicated to amplifying diverse voices, inviting personal and professional growth, and embracing everyone's true selves. We're committed to crafting an environment that genuinely welcomes all, reflecting the richness of our people and communities.

Our promise extends to accessible processes and spaces. If you require accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary, or permanent), please inform our Talent Acquisition team - confidentiality will be maintained.

Note: Lactalis Canada does not conduct credit or background checks through LinkedIn. If required, we'll contact you after signing a Job Offer.