Dairy Processing Specialist

About the role

The Dairy Processing Specialist leads the R&D pilot plant at Lactalis Canada, ensuring safe, sanitary, and efficient operations while supporting innovation and product renovation projects. This role combines hands‑on processing, supervision of technicians and students, and close collaboration with manufacturing, quality, and maintenance teams.

Key responsibilities

• Supervise the pilot plant team, ensuring compliance with SOPs and health & safety guidelines.
• Plan, execute, and document pilot trials for new ingredients and scale‑up projects.
• Coordinate with manufacturing, quality, and maintenance to maintain equipment sanitation and environmental compliance.
• Prepare technical notes, ingredient batches, and equipment setups; validate processing standards.
• Organise sensory evaluation presentations and manage CAPEX/OPEX reporting for the pilot plant.
• Update and validate SOPs for new equipment, including electrical, drainage, and cleaning compatibility.

Required profile

• First‑line supervisory experience in a pilot‑plant or similar food‑processing environment.
• Strong understanding of R&D processes, validation, and scale‑up methodologies.
• Ability to conduct root‑cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Experience preparing budget reports and identifying capital‑expenditure needs.

Required skills

• Pilot plant operation
• Process validation and qualification
• Equipment setup and sanitation procedures
• CAPEX and OPEX budgeting
• Technical documentation and SOP maintenance

What we offer

• Opportunity to work with Canada’s leading dairy brands.
• Collaborative R&D environment focused on innovation.
• Professional growth within a global dairy company.