Validation Lead

About the job

Are you ready for your next step in Quality as a Validation Lead within our Danone Nutricia factory in Zoetermeer?

In this role, you lead and coordinate validation activities that support the effective control of hazards in line with HACCP principles and Danone Quality & Food Safety standards. You work closely with Production, Engineering and Quality to ensure robust, compliant and efficient processes. As the site validation expert you act as the site subject matter expert for validation, contributing directly to the consistent manufacture of safe, high-quality products.

The Validation Lead is responsible for defining, planning, leading and executing validation activities for processes, systems, equipment and facilities within a medical nutrition manufacturing environment. The role ensures compliance with applicable regulatory, normative and internal requirements, enabling the consistent manufacture of safe, high-quality products that meet their intended use.

Your main responsibilities are

• Develop and maintain a site-level validation planning, ensuring timely execution of validations and revalidations in line with Danone standards.
• Plan, coordinate and execute food safety-related (re)validation activities for oPRPs and Critical Control Points (CCPs) for existing processes that demonstrate the effectiveness of food safety control measures based on HACCP risk analyses.
• Perform and maintain PRP-related validations, for example cleaning validation.
• Ensure (re)validation activities are executed, reviewed and documented in accordance with Danone requirements.
• Lead CIP and SIP validations directly linked to the effectiveness of CCPs.
• Develop, maintain and improve validation-related procedures, work instructions and documentation in alignment with QFS standards.
• Provide training, coaching and guidance to relevant stakeholders on validation principles, procedures and expectations.
• Embed validation outcomes into procedures, monitoring, verification and change management processes.
• Act as validation subject matter expert during internal and external audits.

About you

• BSc or MSc degree in Food Technology, Engineering, Life Sciences or a related field, such as Food Technology, Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
• At least 3 years of experience in validation roles within a regulated food or medical nutrition manufacturing environment.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders.
• Able to effectively communicate with people at different levels in the organization.
• Hands-on, result driven, practical, with a strong bias for action.
• Analytical, factual, stress resistant and able to prioritize work activities.
• Fluent in English in speaking and writing, and proficient in Dutch (B1-level).

About Danone

Danone is B Corp certified. Our Supply Point in Zoetermeer is part of Danone Specialized Nutrition and produces vital liquid medical nutrition that is exported to over 80 countries worldwide, supporting consumers and patients from early life nutrition to adult frailty.

We Offer

All Danoners receive a complete package of benefits. This includes a competitive salary and yearly bonus, a premium free pension, 30 days of annual leave with the opportunity to purchase more, and a monthly health care allowance. In addition, you can get discount on your gym membership, and we offer initiatives focused on nutrition, physical and mental health. We provide continuous learning opportunities through workshops, online courses and training sessions.