Compensation Manager

New York Ag Connection; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 77,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Paid Time Off

Education Reimbursement

Job summary

Lactalis is hiring a Compensation Manager to shape compensation programs that attract and retain top talent. This role is crucial for overseeing pay structures, ensuring compliance, and supporting the company's strategic objectives. The ideal candidate will have 5+ years in compensation within a complex operational environment.

Based in Buffalo, NY, the position offers competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and a chance to contribute to a global leader in dairy products.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive compensation or total rewards experience.
• Experience in manufacturing or consumer packaged goods environment.
• Strong understanding of compensation principles and practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of compensation programs across units.
• Serve as advisor on compensation-related matters.
• Conduct market analysis to ensure competitive positioning.

Skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal communication

Problem-solving

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field

Certified Compensation Professional (CCP)

Tools

SuccessFactors

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

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 Italian cheeses and ricotta, Prsident 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 a Compensation Manager position. This position can be based in Buffalo, NY; New York, NY; or Chicago, IL.

The Compensation Manager 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 Director of U.S. Compensation & Global Mobility, the Compensation Manager 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 Compensation Manager 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.

Requirements

From your STORY to ours

Qualified applicants will contribute the following:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field required.
• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) designation preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive compensation or total rewards experience, preferably within a manufacturing, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or similarly complex operational environment.
• Experience supporting multiple business units, functions, or locations within a decentralized organization.
• Experience administering and leveraging compensation systems (e.g., SuccessFactors) and compensation survey platforms.
• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and managing compensation programs, including base pay structures, market pricing, incentive plans, and compensation communications.
• Strong understanding of compensation principles, practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Experience analyzing compensation data and utilizing market survey resources such as Mercer, WTW, Aon, and other leading compensation benchmarking tools.
• Knowledge of job evaluation methodologies, salary structure design, and market-based compensation strategies.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 applications, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with the ability to translate data into actionable recommendations.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build effective partnerships across all levels of the organization.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively in a team-oriented environment.
• Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making capabilities.
• Exceptional organizational skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• French language proficiency is a plus.

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 Affiantative Action Employer will comply with all related legal obligations.

Salary Description

$77k - $104k