Master Data Lead

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, Président® 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. As a Master Data Lead, the role will carry out responsibilities such as but not limited to overseeing key processes and projects associated with the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of the master data domain (customers, vendors, material) within the respective ERP system. Additionally, the Master Data Lead will collaborate with various departments to ensure business operations processes are aligned with SAP Core Model design and Lactalis corporate goals. This role involves leading cross-functional conversations to capture business requirements that drive process improvements in master data maintenance with both internal and external customers to align duties with the company's goals and values. 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, and management. • 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 Affirmative Action Employer will comply with all related legal obligations.