Senior Team Leader Product Development Factories LQD

Research & Innovation

For the Specialized Nutrition R&I (SN R&I) division we are looking for a Senior Team Leader Product Development Factories LQD, located at Utrecht. The Senior Team Leader Product Development Factories LQD is member of the SN R&I ADULTS Category, reporting into the Category Director.

The Senior Team Leader Product Development Factories LQD plays a key role cross-functionally to develop the Category pipeline (mainly Secure and Productivity, but also contributing to Innovation) and build the competencies related to that Category. Especially, he/she is a key SN R&I partner to Operations, Quality, and Procurement in creating a high quality, sustainable product portfolio.

This position is a critical position for the SN growth

In this position you will be reporting into the Category Director and you will have the following accountabilities and responsibilities:

• Lead a large team of (Senior) Product Design & Development Managers located over different supply points within the Global SN Network in a demanding and high paced cross-functional setting
• Ensuring the team acts as linking pin between global R&I and the factory, regarding product & continuous improvement related topics.
• Key member in project management including feasibility study, risk assessment, and building and delivering qualification plan till product launch
• Ensure that all development guaranty Product compliance with regulatory, food safety, nutritional, sensory, physical and chemical requirements, keeping the consumer’s voice at the heart of our activities; Ensure Design principles are fully deployed across the team. Ensure new and reformulated products can be implemented in production scale and that targeted product performance as well as operational efficiencies are achieved.
• Work closely with the Center of Excellence team on Product Design and Specification principles Coach and mentor team members, in various challenging product development projects in multidisciplinary teams with colleagues from R&I, operations, procurement and quality;
• Inspire the team to co-create a team atmosphere with a continuous drive for growth, excellence and effectiveness with a business mindset;
• Define strategic resources planning for optimal efficiency, between Inno, F4G and capability projects.
• Engage and grow team members by focusing their expertise to deliver tangible outcomes & milestones, with a high focus on quality in execution, safeguarding SN R&I fundamental role.

About you

The Senior Team Leader position is not just a job; it is an opportunity to lead a high-performing team, drive for Category growth, and make a tangible impact on the lives of our consumers. We invite dedicated professionals with a passion for innovation and excellence to join us in this exciting journey.

Your profile:

• Confident & positive personality, with ability to engage others in a complex multi-disciplinary setting
• Driven & resilient to face and overcome challenges in a dynamic and demanding environment
• Capable of working in cross-functional project teams with challenging deliverables and deadlines;
• Comfortable managing a remote team in an international & dynamic organization, with various disciplines at several locations;
• Result driven, problem solving, entrepreneurial mindset;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills

Your expertise:

• MSc/PhD degree in Food Technology/Food Science, Chemical engineering.
• At least 8 years of experience in Product Design and Development, Quality, or Innovation Management. Experience in operational environment is a plus;
• Strong technological background in Specialized Nutrition know-how, especially for Liquid Formula
• Methodic and having Continuous Improvement and Excellence in Execution mindset. Green Belt / Black Belt Six-Sigma would be a plus.
• Stakeholder Management/Influence & Engagement.
• Experience in Team management and development in R&D, Quality or Operations environment

Your vision:

• Lead a high performing Product Design and Development Team.
• Design and Develop consumer centric innovations that truly reflect the mission of the category.
• Setting rigorous benchmarks to ensure Right by Design.

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.

Did you know that as a B-Corp certified company, Danone Benelux meets the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability?

We Offer

At Danone, we offer a complete package of benefits, with a competitive primary salary and yearly bonus, but also benefits like a premium free pension, 30 days annual leave and several discounts on a collective health insurance and even on some of our products.

Need more information? Please contact Joost Rijksen, Talent Manager via joost.rijksen@danone.com.

* all applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Dedicated to bringing health through food to as many people as possible, we are a leading global food & beverage company built on four businesses: Essential Dairy and Plant-Based Products, Waters, Early Life Nutrition and Medical Nutrition.