Analytical Excellence Director for Specialized Nutrition

Short Intro and About the Job

At Danone, we aim to “Excel in Quality everywhere, every day, to deliver our promise to consumers, customers and patients” making us Trusted, Preferred, Efficient and Proud of what we do.

In this context, the mission of the QUALITY & FOOD SAFETY function at high level is to:

• Provide standards and expertise to secure license to operate and ensure consumer trust
• Evolve the expertise according to category & risk anticipation
• Build capabilities for superior consumer experiences
• Foster a strong and shared culture of quality
• Assure the governance of the overall company QFS performance.

The mission of the Analytical Excellence team is to develop a highly responsive and reliable Quality and Food Safety laboratory network, gathering internal and external capabilities, to deal with all analytical related needs, from emerging topics to regulatory requirements, to protect the consumers and patients trusting our brands.

Within the Analytical Excellence team, we are looking for our Specialized Nutrition Category Director.

ABOUT THE JOB  

Reporting to the Global Analytical Excellence Director, you will lead and develop a six-person team, with a Chemistry team lead, a Microbiology team lead and a Projects officer as direct reports. You will drive the reliability and traceability of analytical data delivered by internal and external laboratories serving Specialized Nutrition and First Diets, supporting decision-making and compliance testing, working in close cooperation with other QFS teams, R&I and other functions.

You will have the following responsibilities:

• Be the Single Point of Contact for Analytical Excellence for the Specialized Nutrition and First Diets categories, connecting category needs with analytical expertise and capabilities.
• Shape and drive the Analytical Excellence strategy for Specialized Nutrition and First Diets, translating the global strategy into category priorities and action plans.
• Drive the analytical performance programme for Specialized Nutrition and First Diets categories, ensuring factory laboratories deliver reliable and traceable data for decision-making.
• Ensure definition of approved analytical methods for Specialized Nutrition and First Diets categories, covering nutrients, contaminants, allergens and microbiology parameters.
• Mobilize analytical expertise to support innovation and renovation, mitigate risks and resolve technical challenges across Specialized Nutrition and First Diets.
• Define and drive the external engagement plan for Specialized Nutrition and First Diets categories in line with required advocacy and business requirements.
• Represent Danone and Analytical Excellence in external strategic forums such as AOAC SPIFAN, influencing the standardization of analytical methods dedicated to sensitive categories.
• Set project priorities and steer delivery across internal centers of expertise and external partners, delivering Specialized Nutrition and First Diets analytical projects within budget.
• Lead Specialized Nutrition and First Diets strategic projects, including the transfer of analytical services to different geographies.
• Engage and mobilize the Specialized Nutrition and First Diets laboratory network, fostering collaboration and the exchange of analytical expertise.
• Act as Analytical Excellence Quality Management System (QMS) and technical auditor.
• Partner with Analytical Excellence technical experts to advance cross-category strategic projects.
• Help shape strategic priorities and decisions as a member of the Analytical Excellence Leadership Team and SN Quality Leadership Team.
• Manage/align senior business stakeholders to achieve the Analytical roadmap.

You need to travel up to 25% of your time

About You

ABOUT YOU

• Preferably a Master/PhD degree or equivalent with a specialization in analytical science.
• At least 15 years of experience in lab related activities with at least 5 years under ISO 17025 accreditation (lab operational activities/management, QMS, audits).
• Knowledge expected: ISO 17025, GLP, lab QMS, auditing, strategy setting, broad knowledge on analytical methods covering chemistry (preferably nutritional testing) and microbiology (preferably pathogen testing), with expertise in either chemistry or microbiology.  Specific Specialized Nutrition experienced is preferred.
• Strong leadership and ability to manage complexity.
• Capacity to interact with many stakeholders at different levels of the Company is a must.
• English fluent, French nice to have.
• Long term and strategic thinking.
• Ability to challenge & implement.
• Can do attitude, resilience and tenacity.

About Us, We offer and What's next

Working here you’ll need to enjoy a fast-pace and complexity. But it’s packed with opportunities. You’ll work with some of the best-known brands in the world. Be innovative and entrepreneurial and the impact you could make might just amaze 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