Specialised Nutrition Research & Innovation Paediatric Specialties and Metabolic/Ketogenic Exploration Director

Research & Innovation

Specialised Nutrition Research & Innovation Paediatric Specialties and Metabolic/Ketogenic Exploration Director

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 and the ongoing 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.

The successful candidate will contribute towards the strategy and the growth of the Paediatric Specialties and Metabolic/Ketogenic categories in Specialized Nutrition. Use science, consumer insight, and technology assets to launch transformational innovations and sustain market leadership. Champion cross-functional integration and external partnership to deliver pipeline sufficiency and category growth for Danone globally.

Main Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision:

• Shape and execute a winning portfolio of science-led, compliant innovations, using market foresight, regulatory trends, and consumer insights to maintain competitive edge.
• Formulate and continuously improve category strategy in alignment with global business objectives, delivering clear growth ambition (e.g., EBITDA, Euro revenue targets, product pipeline value).

Pipeline & Impact Delivery:

• Own and mobilize teams to meet year-3 pipeline sufficiency targets, driving innovation through transformational projects for paediatric and Mets/Keto nutrition.
• Lead operational excellence to deliver measurable category growth, leveraging specialized R&I expertise and cross-functional teams.

Portfolio & Project Management:

• Build and manage a diverse pipeline—biotics, hydrolyzed protein, decarbonation, differentiated formats—ensuring best-in-class innovation processes, product quality, and market fit.
• Drive project execution using agile and collaborative methodologies, fostering accountability, discipline, and rapid problem-solving across global networks.

Managerial Complexity:

• Lead through ambiguity and complexity, ensuring category strategy clarity and aligned resource allocation for pipeline delivery.
• Mentor, coach, and develop talent; build a culture of innovation, empowerment, and leadership at all levels.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Cultivate high-value external collaborations with scientific, regulatory, and business partners.
• Represent the category in global forums, steering internal and external leadership conversations with influence and rigor.

Key Deliverables

• Delivery of commercially impactful innovation pipeline meeting or exceeding set targets for NS Growth, EBITDA, and product differentiation across all relevant formats.
• Forward looking innovation strategy and prioritized exploration pipeline that identifies emerging product and technology opportunities. This deliverable should guide investment decisions, ensure pipeline sufficiency, strengthen competitive advantage, and enable faster response to shifts in science, regulation, or consumer demand.
• Expansion and protection of Danone’s techno-assets and IP position through strategic innovation and category development projects.
• Leadership in building and executing “seed for the future” initiatives with measurable results in market share and health impact.
• Driving productivity and operational transformation through excellence in project management, process optimization, and cross-functional agility.

Key Metrics

• Category pipeline sufficiency and value at stake (NS year-3 targets, intentional growth benchmarks).
• Effective cross-functional delivery and integration of transformational innovations within business and zone structures.
• Advancement of leadership position for Danone in Paediatric and Mets/Keto segments through new product launches and strategic partnerships

About you

To be successful and thrive in this role and our environment the preferred candidate will have a proven expertise as below:

Innovation Skills & Competencies

• Ability to synthesize diverse market, scientific, and consumer/patient data through multiple functions to anticipate trends, identify future growth opportunities, and proactively shape innovation priorities.
• Strong analytical, strategic visioning, and scenario planning skills, as well as the ability to align research with long-term business goals.
• Deep understanding of R&I (Research & Innovation) functions, capabilities, and global business drivers.
• Demonstrated history in FMCG, specialized nutrition, pharma, or related innovation environments.
• Exceptional intellectual property strategy, project management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Passion for developing and leading high-performing, diverse teams.

Education & Experience

• Master’s or Ph.D. in relevant disciplines (Food Science, Nutrition, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, etc.).
• 12+ years of industry experience within R&I, including team leadership and global scope.
• Proven success in managing multi-functional innovation teams and delivering commercial results.

About Danone

At Danone we are committed to our mission “bringing health, through food to as many people as possible”. We are working together to make sure that our brands, like Nutricia and Nutrilon, create real benefits for people, communities and the planet. You will be part of one of the largest Certified B Corps™ in the world. Being B Corp means to be part of a select movement of companies verified to be meeting the highest standards of social and environmental criteria and using business as a force for good. One Planet. One Health.

Our state-of-the-art research and innovation center builds bridges between food and science and is global in reach, founded on over 125 years of experience in life & food science, technology and user experience and is at the forefront of pioneering advances in specialized nutrition.

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 you will receive 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.

We put people at the center of everything we do. Bring your unique perspective, ambitions and ideas to the table – the impact you could make might surprise you.