Compensation Manager

About the role

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

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Partner with Global Mobility and international compensation teams to ensure alignment on global compensation principles and practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field required.
• 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.

Qualifications

• Preferred: Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) designation.

Skills

• Strategic and collaborative compensation professional with strong analytical skills and business acumen.
• Comfortable navigating complex organizational structures, influencing stakeholders at all levels, and translating compensation data into actionable recommendations.
• Experience working across a multi-site manufacturing and corporate environment.

Benefits

Lactalis offers 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.

Pay

Details on pay are not specified in the job posting.

Schedule

Details on schedule are not specified in the job posting.