Master Data Lead

Lactalis USA; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off from day one

Education reimbursement

Professional development

Job summary

Lactalis USA is seeking a Master Data Lead to be based in Buffalo, NY. The role focuses on developing and governing master data processes, defining data strategy, and ensuring data accuracy across SAP S/4HANA and MDM tools.

You will collaborate with IT and business teams to maintain data integrity and drive continuous improvements. Qualifications include 5+ years in master data/data engineering, SAP data experience, and strong analytical and communication skills.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in master data analyst or data engineer roles.
• Experience working with SAP master data and S/4HANA.
• Strong data quality, profiling, cleansing and validation knowledge.
• Ability to document processes with data owners and stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and document master data processes with data stewards to support operations.
• Define and implement master data strategy, policies, controls, and programs.
• Identify data quality issues and implement corrective actions and controls.
• Perform data profiling, cleansing, and validation in SAP S/4 and MDM tools.
• Collaborate with IT and business partners to align master data rules and requirements.
• Lead data cleanup, de-duplication, and data lifecycle management tasks.
• Create SOPs for master data lifecycle scenarios and train new team members.
• Coordinate data-related tasks for LAG and support S4/HANA data migration.

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, President 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 is currently hiring a Master Data Lead to be located in Buffalo, NY.

From our STORY to yours

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for development and documentation of processes with business data stewards to support operations.
• Define and implement master data strategy, policies, controls, and programs to ensure the enterprise data is accurate, secure, and reliable, working in collaboration with technical and business subject matter experts.
• Identify areas for data quality improvements and help to resolve data quality problems. Able to identify errors and correct them timely. Able to suggest process control or process design strategies.
• Responsible for data profiling, cleansing and data validation within SAP S/4 and MDM tool.
• Assists in data management, governance, and data quality of master data requirements with other functional data owners to ensure functional master data integrity across the operations
• Work closely with the business/IT to ensure alignment of master data rules and the operations of the application meet all requirements
• Conducts data cleaning to rid the system of old, unused data, or duplicate data for better management and quicker access.
• Leads documentation of new processes, data standards etc. with technical and functional teams
• Actively engage with business in sustaining approved Master Data Management processes
• Actively engage with business and IT for a successful S4/HANA Data Migration
• Creating, updating, and deleting master data in S4
• Work with team leads to write and maintain standard operating procedures for various master data lifecycle scenarios (create, update, extend, block, unblock, mark for deletion) based on business need
• Analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve errors and assist other team members or business partners with related master data issues raised
• Proactively cleanse key master data to block inactive records, block duplicate information, establish business partner relationships
• Review master data requests for adherence to standards and maintained within requirements and with quality
• Communicate and liaise with business units to thoroughly understand business requirements and impact of master data changes
• Train new MDM team members
• Point of contact and responsible for the coordination of all data-related tasks and activities for LAG.

WORK CONDITIONS

• Travel may be required occasionally.
• 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.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential
• This position requires physical presence in the office, in accordance with the guidelines of the Hybrid Work Policy

Requirements

From your EXPERTISE to ours:

Education

• Bachelor's degree is preferred.
• Majors in degree in information science, data management, computer science or related field is preferred.

Experience

• 5+ years of experience as Master Data Analyst or Data Engineer is preferred.
• Experience working with SAP master data
• In depth knowledge of principles, concepts of Managing master data quality data in key systems.
• Adept at development and documentation of processes with other functional data owners to support ongoing data maintenance and sustaining data integrity.

Certifications and specific knowledge

• Sustain data quality.
• Capability to identify areas for data quality improvements and help to resolve master data problems through the appropriate choice of error detection and correction, process control and improvement, or process design strategies.
• Good personal computer and business solutions skills.
• Good communication skills to communicate with customers, team members, external data providers,
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

COMPETENCIES

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to see the big picture and develop long-term strategies for process improvement.
• Detail-Oriented: Keen attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
• Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to changing business needs and environments.
• Initiative: Proactive in identifying issues and opportunities for improvement.
• Strong analytical skills: a thorough understanding of how to interpret business needs and translate them into operational requirements.
• Significant relevant experience working with virtual and/or matrix teams and ability to effectively communicate/collaborate in this environment.
• Cross-functional teams - experience working in a cross-cultural team and significant experience working with senior leadership.
• Communications: excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with a diverse group of Partners, senior managers, and subject matter experts.
• Organization skills: it is an imperative skill to be organized to effectively manage/oversee the various activities and tasks required to achieve project goals and objectives.
• Communication Management: Facilitate effective communication among project team members, develop effective working relationships with all key stakeholders including Business Leaders, Business Process Owners (US & Corporate) Functional Leads (USIT, Corporate, System Integrator).
• Documentation and Reporting: Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including project plans, status reports, meeting minutes, and change logs. Prepare regular progress reports and presentations for stakeholders and senior management.

• 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 Affinity Action Employer will comply with all related legal obligations.