Associate Manager, US Compensation

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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 USA, part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring an Associate Manager, US Compensation. This position can be based in New York, NY; or Chicago, IL.

The Associate Manager, US Compensation plays a key role in shaping and delivering compensation programs that support our ability to attract, retain, and reward top talent. This position is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing competitive and equitable compensation practices across multiple business units within a dynamic and decentralized organization.

Reporting to the Manager, US Compensation, the Associate Manager, US Compensation will partner closely with HR Business Partners, HR Site Leaders, Finance, Talent Acquisition, HRIS, Payroll, and business leaders to develop practical, market-driven compensation solutions that support business objectives, workforce stability, and employee engagement.

This role will lead a variety of compensation initiatives and will ensure programs are aligned with business strategy, support talent attraction and retention efforts, and maintain compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

The ideal candidate is a strategic and collaborative compensation professional with strong analytical skills and business acumen. They are comfortable navigating complex organizational structures, influencing stakeholders at all levels, and translating compensation data into actionable recommendations.

Working across a multi-site manufacturing and corporate environment, the Associate Manager, US Compensation will apply data-driven insights and sound judgment to ensure compensation programs remain competitive, internally equitable, and aligned with Lactalis' commitment to pragmatism, operational excellence, and long-term growth.

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

Compensation Strategy & Program Management

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of compensation programs across multiple business units.
• Partner with the Director to execute U.S. compensation strategy aligned with organizational goals and market competitiveness.
• Manage annual compensation cycles, including merit, bonus, and equity processes.
• Ensure consistency, equity, and alignment across compensation practices while accommodating BU-specific needs.

Business Partnership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to HRBPs and business leaders on compensation-related matters such as offers, promotions, retention strategies, and organizational design.
• Provide consultative guidance on complex compensation decisions, balancing internal equity and external competitiveness.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Finance, Legal, Talent Acquisition) to support business initiatives.

Market Analysis & Benchmarking

• Conduct market analysis using compensation surveys and tools to ensure competitive positioning.
• Analyze compensation data and trends to inform program design and decision-making.
• Develop insights and recommendations based on data analytics and business objectives.

Program Design & Governance

• Design and refine salary structures, incentive plans, and job architecture frameworks.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including pay transparency and pay equity requirements.
• Lead or support pay equity analyses and remediation efforts as needed.

Leadership & Team Management

• Train and knowledge sharing with compensation team members, fostering a high-performance, collaborative environment.
• Drive continuous improvement in compensation processes, tools, and systems.
• Act as a subject matter expert and mentor within the broader HR organization.

Global (Group) Alignment

• Partner with Global Mobility and international compensation teams to ensure alignment on global compensation principles and practices.
• Support global initiatives and projects as needed.