Quality and Food Safety Data Scientist

Job Title: Quality and Food Safety Data ScientistLocation: Etobicoke (Ontario) or Longueuil (Quebec)About Us:Welcome to Lactalis Canada – where we take pride in being recognized as one of 2025 GTA's Top Employers! As well as Forbes Canada, Top Canadian Employers for 2025! 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 Cheestrings. 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. Our flexible hybrid work model accommodates 40% remote work, adapting to the evolving needs of our workforce. Step into a collaborative hub with our revamped office, and enjoy free parking, endless coffee, delicious Lactalis snacks, an on-site gym, and more!About the opportunity:The Quality & Food Safety Data Scientist is responsible for analyzing and interpreting complex data related to quality and food safety metrics, identifying trends, and providing actionable insights to enhance processes and ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations. This role plays a crucial part in driving continuous improvement in food safety, quality control, and operational efficiency across the organization by leveraging data-driven approaches.The attributes we are looking for:Data Analysis and Modelling:Collect, clean, and analyze quality and food safety data from various internal and external sources (e.g., production lines, supply chain, audits, customer complaints, and regulatory reports) to identify trends, anomalies and opportunities for variability reduction.Develop predictive models to anticipate quality deviations, contamination risks and shelf-life performance, and propose associated experimental design strategiesImplement and apply machine learning and statistical techniques to optimize quality control processesGenerate reports, dashboards, and data visualizations to communicate findings, key performance indicators (KPIs), and trends to stakeholders.Process improvement:Identify patterns and trends in food safety and quality data that indicate opportunities for process improvement.Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., Production, Supply Chain, R&D, and Regulatory Affairs) to implement corrective actions and improve operational performance.Support root-cause analysis and corrective actions for quality incidents using advanced analyticsCompliance and Risk Management:Ensure data compliance with food safety regulations (e.g., HACCP, GFSI, FDA, CFIA) and internal quality standards.Analyze audit data and non-conformance reports to assess risk areas and recommend mitigations.Participate in internal audits and regulatory inspections, providing data-driven insights and documentation as needed.Project Management:Lead or participate in quality improvement and food safety projects, including LIMS implementation, ensuring milestones and objectives are met.Explore and assess emerging technologies to enhance Quality & Food Safety capabilitiesCollaborate with project teams to ensure that data-related aspects are incorporated effectively and provide insights to enhance decision-making processes.Stakeholder Collaboration:Serve as a key liaison between the Quality & Food Safety team and other departments to share insights and recommendations based on data analysis.Collaborate with external partners, suppliers, and regulatory agencies to ensure data accuracy and to support quality and safety initiatives.What you will bring:Bachelor’s or master’s degree in data science, Statistics, Computer Science, or related field.3-5 years of experience in data science, preferably in food manufacturing or CPG industry.Proficiency in Python, SQL, and data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau).Experience with statistical modeling.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written and ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects.Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.Ensuring accuracy in data collection, reporting, and analysis.Ability to identify the root causes of quality and food safety issues and recommend solutions.Work effectively across teams to implement quality and safety improvements.What Lactalis will offer:Lactalis Canada believes in rewarding its people with the following comprehensive benefits package and perks:A Competitive Base SalaryA Performance-Based Bonus System4 Weeks of VacationBenefits starting day 1A Pension Program with an Employer Match at 100% of up to 6%Tuition reimbursement plan of up to $3,000/yearA Volunteer Day to give back to your communityLearning and Development opportunitiesA commitment to internal career advancement with potential for international mobilityOur 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. We apply an equal access to employment program and invite women, aboriginal people, visible minorities, and people with disabilities to apply.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.