Senior Manager, Human Resources

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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® 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. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi’s®, 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 Heritage Dairy, part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring a Senior Manager, Human Resources position based in Chicago, IL.

The Senior Manager, Human Resources serves as the strategic HR partner for corporate functions, supporting senior leaders, managers, and employees across the organization. This role leads key HR initiatives that strengthen leadership capability, enhance organizational effectiveness, and reinforce accountability for people-related processes.

As a seasoned business partner, the Senior Manager, Human Resources also coaches and mentors members of the HR team while partnering closely with executive leaders to align people strategies with business objectives. Reporting to the Vice President, Human Resources, this position collaborates closely with the USA HR Shared Services team to deliver HR programs and initiatives that support the business and employee experience.

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Oversee management, training and development, succession planning, employee relations, and organizational development activities for all corporate functions.
• Provide guidance on people programs and policies across client groups, ensuring consistent and compliant implementation while maintaining open communication with managers and employees.
• Build strong, proactive relationships with senior leaders, managers, and employees by fostering an open and collaborative environment that elevates people management practices and supports effective conflict resolution.
• Partner with managers throughout the performance management cycle by advising on objective setting, offering tools and guidance for ongoing feedback, and supporting development discussions. Provide consultation on complex performance matters, including improvement plans, exit strategies, and conflict situations.
• Develop and implement people initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness and employee engagement, while providing coaching and support to help employees understand their potential and growth opportunities.
• Contribute to the development, recommendation, and implementation of people practices, strategies, initiatives, programs, and policies aligned with business objectives and market best practices.
• In collaboration with VP HR, support organizational design and workforce planning initiatives based on business needs. Work with Executive and Leadership teams on needs assessments and the creation, development, and implementation of organizational design strategies and structural changes for both short- and long-term goals.
• Partner with the VP HR in the headcount and labor cost budgeting process for corporate functions, including business case development, approval workflows, and building the overall people budget in collaboration with Compensation and Finance.
• Work closely with the Talent Acquisition team on recruitment for assigned client groups, providing insight into business needs and ensuring alignment with company values. May assist with sourcing, screening, interviewing, and referring candidates to hiring managers.
• Lead and develop a team of HR professionals by overseeing hiring, performance reviews, feedback, training and development needs, goal setting, and day-to-day coaching and mentorship.
• Conduct exit interviews, identify trends or opportunities, and recommend or implement corrective actions as needed.
• Ensure legal compliance by monitoring and applying relevant federal and state HR requirements, conducting thorough and objective investigations, and interpreting company policies for managers and employees.
• Collaborate with USA HR and Shared Services teams to promote and accelerate a culture of excellence where employees feel engaged, supported, and motivated to deliver strong business results.
• Partner with the VP HR on strategic initiatives across the business. Lead or participate in special projects and global initiatives as required.
• Monitor key HR metrics and analyze data to inform decision-making and drive effective solutions.

WORK CONDITIONS

• Business travel is required, occasionally.
• Extended hours may be necessary depending on the business needs.
• To fulfill these responsibilities, tools such as a computer, phone or, 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, in accordance with the guidelines of the Hybrid Work Policy (3 days in-office, 2 days WFH).