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Responsable de projets RSE - Biodiversité & Bien-être animal

Lactalis Canada • France • Added on Aug 4, 2026
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This corporate role centers on steering the biodiversity and animal welfare pillars of a global dairy giant. You will move from high-level policy design to concrete project implementation, ensuring that environmental and ethical commitments are not just words but operational realities. By leading technical working groups across industrial and agricultural sectors, you bridge the gap between corporate strategy and local application.

Working at the heart of the dairy industry means your focus is on the very start of the value chain. This role matters because it directly influences how millions of animals are treated and how land is managed across global supply networks. You have a unique chance to drive large-scale transformation in a sector where biodiversity and animal welfare are central to business resilience and consumer trust.

This suits someone who blends scientific rigor with strong interpersonal skills to influence diverse internal teams. You should be a structured project manager with a deep understanding of agricultural supply chains and a passion for ethical food production.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to steer the corporate strategy for forest conservation, biodiversity, and animal welfare. This involves updating Group-level CSR policies and ensuring they are translated into actionable recommendations for different business units. You will be responsible for the entire project lifecycle, from initial policy formulation to technical execution. Day-to-day, you will animate technical working groups composed of experts from collection, industry, and purchasing departments. A major part of the role involves challenging and supporting these operational teams to ensure their specific CSR roadmaps are ambitious and achievable. You will also define key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor progress and identify areas for improvement. Finally, you will play a key role in transparent reporting and communication. This includes designing monitoring tools like dashboards and contributing to both internal and external messaging regarding the Group's progress in animal ethics and ecological preservation.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Joining a global leader in the dairy industry offers unparalleled exposure to complex international supply chains. You will gain deep expertise in how CSR policies are scaled across diverse geographies and regulatory environments, particularly regarding the intersection of agriculture and environmental science. There is a significant opportunity to develop cross-functional leadership skills. By working with departments ranging from industrial processing to milk collection, you will learn how to align differing departmental priorities with global sustainability goals. You will also stay at the forefront of emerging biodiversity frameworks and animal welfare standards within the food and beverage sector.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate holds an engineering degree in Agronomy or Agriculture, or a related Master’s degree in CSR. You should bring at least five years of experience in project management or sustainability consulting, specifically within the agri-food sector. A strong understanding of the upstream supply chain (farming and collection) is highly valued. Beyond technical knowledge, you must be a natural federator. The role requires the ability to explain complex ecological concepts to operational staff and convince them of their necessity. Fluency in English is essential, as you will be interacting with international teams and contributing to a global strategy. A solution-oriented mindset and resilience are key to driving long-term change in a large organization.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your technical credibility in agricultural issues. Lactalis is a pragmatism-driven company, so your application should highlight concrete examples where you have successfully implemented a sustainability project in a complex industrial or agricultural setting. Avoid vague buzzwords and focus on measurable outcomes. Tailor your narrative to show how you manage stakeholder resistance. Since this role involves 'challenging' existing roadmaps, providing evidence of your pedagogical skills and your ability to gain buy-in from skeptical technical experts will be a significant advantage. Show that you understand the specific challenges of the dairy industry, such as animal health and land use.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

This role is the cornerstone of the company's upstream environmental impact strategy. You will focus intensely on animal welfare standards, ensuring that dairy sourcing meets ethical expectations. This is directly linked to the company's reputation and its relationship with thousands of partner farmers. Additionally, the biodiversity and forestry angle means you will likely work on deforestation-free supply chains and soil health initiatives. The goal is to move the company toward a regenerative model that protects natural ecosystems while maintaining the productivity necessary for a global food leader. You will also focus on the governance side by establishing clear, data-driven KPIs for these areas.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the primary challenges is balancing global consistency with local constraints. Dairy farming practices vary significantly by region, and what works in France might not be immediately applicable in other international markets. You must be able to adapt corporate policies so they are relevant and respected across all operating sites. Another challenge is the transversal nature of the role. You will not have direct authority over the teams you are influencing, so you must rely on your expertise, interpersonal skills, and the strength of your data to drive change. Navigating the priorities of industrial efficiency versus environmental conservation will require constant negotiation.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

Your day might begin with a technical meeting with the purchasing or milk collection teams to review the progress of a specific animal welfare initiative. You might then spend time analyzing sustainability data to prepare a dashboard report for the corporate CSR director, identifying which regions are meeting their biodiversity targets. In the afternoon, you could be drafting a new group-wide policy on forest protection or collaborating with the communications team to ensure the company’s ESG report accurately reflects field-level progress. The day often involves a mix of strategic planning and operational problem-solving, requiring frequent shifts between high-level vision and technical detail.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

Lactalis places a strong emphasis on internal promotion and long-term career paths. Starting in a corporate CSR role provides a holistic view of the company’s operations, which can lead to senior management positions within the CSR department or transitions into operational leadership roles in purchasing or supply chain management. Because of the Group's international footprint, there are significant opportunities for global mobility. You could eventually move into a regional sustainability lead role or specialize further into a niche area like climate strategy or sustainable agriculture. The company provides individualized support to help employees build their professional projects over time.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with the Corporate CSR Director and the wider sustainability team to align on strategy. However, your most frequent collaborators will be the technical leads in milk collection, industrial operations, and purchasing. These are the stakeholders who will ultimately implement your recommendations on the ground. External stakeholders are also key, including NGOs, industry bodies, and academic experts who help inform the company's standards. You may also interact with milk producers and agricultural partners to understand the practical implications of group policies, ensuring a two-way flow of information between corporate headquarters and the farmers at the heart of the business.

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