SN R&I Early Life Nutrition (ELN) Exploration Director

Research & Innovation

About the job

Danone Nutricia Research builds bridges between science and food. Our Research Centre for Specialized Nutrition, located in the Utrecht Science Park in the Netherlands is a state of the art Life Science innovation center for the development of new product concepts but also the on-going improvement of our existing range for Specialized Nutrition (SN). We create formulas that provide clinically substantiated health benefits to vulnerable consumers - infants, toddlers, elderly and patients. By bringing together employees from different backgrounds, with complementary scientific and technological expertise, we have been able to build a creative, high-spirit powerhouse to spur our innovation. With over 600 employees, the Utrecht R&I centre delivers evidence-based specialised nutrition to infants, pregnant women, patients and the elderly.

Drive execution of Early Life Nutrition (ELN) strategy and pipeline of transformational Innovations, by leveraging Science, Techno and User Experience assets, while anchoring in local consumer and market insights and trends. Lead and execute targeted Exploration projects to maintain and grow competitive edge of the company (Expand where we should be/seed for the future). Lead & Influence towards realisation of ELN intentional growth. Key Enabler in reshaping ELN & Win Brand of First Choice with consumer centric value-added benefits.

Main Responsibilities

Business Strategy/Vision: Business Strategy

Strategize the local consumer, competitor & regulatory insights & foresights and the science & techno assets into a winning portfolio of transformational innovations including relevant claims, benefits, product attributes / food forms / flavour across all price tiers.

Impact on Business Results: Direct

Own and mobilise to deliver

1. Own and mobilise to deliver sufficiency / increase NS Y3 from a pipeline of transformational innovations
2. Lead R&I Exploration and co-build the strategy of the ELN Category.

Process & Projects

• Drive a portfolio of targeted Exploration projects to maintain and grow competitive edge of the company
• Own and mobilise to deliver sufficiency / incr NS Y3 from a pipeline of transformational innovations
• Capability building: redesign for decarbonation, biotics and compact protein engine across formats

Managerial Complexity

Plays a key role in delivering on ELN Growth (seed for the future)

Partnering with Medical & Nutritional Science /Advanced Technology to strengthen explo pipeline and inno process effectiveness of landing engines in product matrix

Lead and engage senior leaders and experts

Collaboration with external partners

Key Deliverables

• Expand where we should be: Portfolio of relevant benefits across formats
• Seed the future: Pipeline sufficiency (increase NS Y3) + Value at stake of Exploration pipeline
• Capability building: redesign for decarbonation, liquid stability, biotics and compact protein engine across formats
• Drive and deliver distinctive and proprietary Techno Assets on product design expertise (decarbonation, Nuturis) applied in various product matrixes

Key Metrics

• NS Growth: Enable Intentional Growth of ELN Category
• Pipeline sufficiency (incr NS Y3) + Value at stake of Explo pipeline

About you

If you are a visionary, strategic leader with a solid technical background, and with a passion for steering teams toward excellence, you are definitely the candidate we are looking for.

Your Expertise

• Deep understanding of R&I Function and Capabilities
• Broad management experience
• FMCG R&D/Innovation Experience and Record
• R&I/Scientific background (can grasp Specialized Nutrition)
• Interdisciplinary Knowledge: Familiarity in intellectual property management, project management, and collaboration with external partners

Education, Experience:

• (Master's or Ph.D.) in Food Science, Nutrition, Biochemistry, Chemical Eng, or a related field.
• In excess of 12 years industry experience with a specialism in Research & Innovation
• Proven track record of managing a team of subject matter experts

About Danone

Working here you’ll need to enjoy a fast-pace, complexity and it can get a little challenging. But it’s packed with opportunities. You’ll work with some of the best-known brands in the world, such as Evian, Nutricia, Activia and Nutrilon and we absolutely guarantee that you can just be yourself. Be innovative and entrepreneurial and the impact you could make might just amaze you. Join our movement for a healthier world. One Planet One Health BY YOU.

We are proud to be an equal employer. We are convinced our differences make the difference and that an inclusive working environment will drive our growth as a business, as teams and as individuals. We will therefore consider all applicants for employment fostering an inclusive working culture that is accessible for all.