Sales Development Manager

About Us:

Welcome to Lactalis Canada - where we take pride in being recognized as one of 2025 GTA's Top Employers! Our journey revolves around enhancing the lives of Canadians through a rich variety of dairy delights, including some of Canadian's favourite dairy brands such as like Black Diamond Cheese, Lactantia Milk, Astro Yogurt, Balderson Cheese, and Cheese strings.
In fact, we're proud to say our products grace the shelves of an incredible 94% of Canadian households!

With a 140-year legacy driven by innovation and unwavering quality, we're seeking like-minded individuals to join us in shaping our next chapter.

About the opportunity:

Reporting to the Director, Sales & Trade Dev - I&E (Ingredients & Export), the Sales Development Manager will spearhead new business development for dairy ingredients, grow collaboration with food manufacturers, and manage sales to an existing portfolio of further processors in Western Canada.
The position is essential in establishing Lactalis Canada as the preferred supplier of dairy ingredients.

Please note that this role can be located in Calgary AB or Delta BC and is a remote position (home-based) covering the Western Canada territory.

The attributes we are looking for:

• Develop new Lactalis business, executing and expanding the Ingredient & Export division's sales and business development strategy with current and new customers at both the customer's purchasing and R & D levels by ascertaining customer's ingredient needs and proposing solutions from the product portfolio.
  Liaise and work closely with technical teams on all aspects of product development for the customer, technical documentation, packaging, functionality and quality requirements of ingredients.
  
• Manage all aspects of the sale of dairy ingredients to an existing portfolio of customers, including distributors, to deliver volume growth and profit objectives.
  This includes determining customer product needs, obtaining product approval, negotiating pricing, developing contracts, obtaining and communicating forecasted volume requirements, and conducting business reviews, all while staying aware to optimize Lactalis manufacturing/supply position.
• Ensure domestic customer day-to-day needs are met by collaborating closely with the I&E supporting teams and other Lactalis cross-functional areas (Customer Service, Manufacturing Operations, Supply Chain Credit, Logistics, etc.), including the resolution of non-routine customer service issues such as quality and delivery with the goal of being the easiest dairy supplier to do business with.
  
• Manage the implementation of customer projects such as development of new ingredients or packaging, which involves managing the communication between all internal and customer departments (R&D, Global Sourcing, Supply Chain, Finance, Regulatory Affairs, Corporate Quality and Operations).
• Maintain up-to -date knowledge of dairy markets, pricing trends, the competitive environment to be a dairy market information resource to the customers, identify opportunities to maximize returns on Lactalis dairy ingredients.
• Ensure Lactalis' position as the national leader in dairy ingredients through promoting product line at trade events and direct presentation of technical product information to the domestic customers and global supply chain affiliates.
• Guide and mentor Account Managers as the business grows.
  Ensure communication and alignment with other sales team members and particularly with distributors.

What you will bring:

• University degree or College diploma, preferably in Food Science or Business or related fields, or relevant experience.
  
• Five to ten years' experience in account management, with a minimum three (3) years' experience effectively managing mid-size and full-size ingredient or foodservice accounts, preferably in the Canadian dairy environment.
  
• Strong multi-level relationship building talent that will enable growing partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
  
• Proficient in negotiation and problem solving
• Robust situational awareness and perception of markets and customers' needs that, coupled with solid business acumen and resourcefulness, will promote the development of original, entrepreneurial business opportunities.
• Ability to think strategically and with depth of comprehension.
• Strong analytical, planning, presentation, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to balance customer needs with Lactalis' business focus
• Excellent people skills to manage direct reports and/or to work effectively within a small team environment requiring open sharing of information.
• Professional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Proficient with standard office computer technology such as Microsoft Office and the Internet, requirement to attain a working knowledge of SAP and BW
• Operational knowledge of Canadian milk system, global dairy markets, and understanding of food composition, nutrition and manufacturing.
• Bilingual (French & English) is an asset

What Lactalis will offer:

Lactalis Canada believes in rewarding its people with the following comprehensive benefits package and perks:

• A Competitive Base Salary
• A Performance-Based Bonus System
• 4 Weeks of Vacation
• Benefits starting day 1
• A Pension Program with an Employer Match at 100% of up to 6%
• Tuition reimbursement plan of up to $3,000/year
• A Volunteer Day to give back to your community
• Learning and Development opportunities
• A commitment to internal career advancement with potential for international mobility

Our ESG commitment:

Our ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) roadmap drives our sustainability mission.
We aim to positively impact communities and the planet by enabling stakeholders including our people, consumers, customers, suppliers, dairy farmers, government, and industry partners to have a positive impact on the wellbeing of our communities and the planet through all that we do.

At Lactalis Canada, we value our employees as catalysts for positive change.
Together, we will create a sustainable future, promote belonging, and make a lasting impact on the world.

Our commitment to DEI:

Fuel Our Culture with Your Uniqueness! Lactalis thrives on the value each person brings.
We're dedicated to amplifying diverse voices, inviting personal and professional growth, and embracing everyone's true selves.
We're committed to crafting an environment that genuinely welcomes all, reflecting the richness of our people and communities.

Our promise extends to accessible processes and spaces.
If you require accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary, or permanent), please inform our Talent Acquisition team - confidentiality will be maintained.

Note:
Lactalis Canada does not conduct credit or background checks through LinkedIn.
If required, we'll contact you after signing a Job Offer.