Short Intro and About the JobThis position operates within Danone's Quality & Food Safety Department and works cross-functionally with the Supply Chain organization. The primary responsibility is to ensure the quality and food safety of raw and packaging materials through strict adherence to Danone's global standards. As part of a collaborative team, this role helps ensure that only the safest, highest-quality, and most consistent materials are used in the production of Danone products.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:- Lead qualification of new supplier sites and new raw and packaging materials in alignment with global Quality and Food Safety (QFS) standards.
- Monitor and analyze supplier performance to support Business Continuity Planning (BCP) and dual-sourcing initiatives while maintaining uncompromised quality and food safety.
- Partner with Research & Innovation (R&I) to execute material approval processes, including documentation reviews, item code creation, and specification review and approval.
- Develop, implement, and maintain QFS guidelines, standards, and training materials related to specification criteria.
- Serve as the QFS lead on cross-functional project teams, representing QFS across sourcing, innovation, renovation, productivity, and other enterprise initiatives.
- Collaborate closely with Cycles & Procurement, R&I, Environmental Health & Safety, Sustainability, Regulatory, Food Safety, Project Management, and Operations to deliver products that meet Danone standards.
- Mitigate quality and food safety risks through the application of scientific principles, technical expertise, and global QFS standards.
- Plan and conduct supplier audits, including audit execution, report writing, corrective action follow-up, and continuous improvement activities.
- Provide quality support to plant operations related to supplier and material performance.
- Lead root cause analysis and resolution of supplier quality issues and claims, ensuring timely and effective corrective actions.
- Apply Six Sigma, Lean, and other continuous improvement methodologies to improve quality, efficiency, and waste reduction.
- Stay current with regulatory requirements, certifying agency expectations, and internal Danone standards.
- Ensure global Supplier Lifecycle Management standards are consistently adopted and applied, leveraging a global community of practice and governance structure.
- Proactively collaborate across regions and categories to drive efficiency, standardization, and knowledge sharing.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
TRAVEL: Estimated at 35%-50%
The salary range for this position is $105,000.00 - $157,000.00 USD. The exact salary offered will depend on several factors, including the candidate's relevant experience, geographic location, internal equity, and market conditions. Danone North America additionally offers a performance-based bonus and has a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401k Plan, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options. To give our employees flexibility, Danone is a hybrid work environment.
About YouMINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:- Bachelor's Degree in Science/Food Science/Technology or similar major
- 5+ years of combined experience with food, ingredients, quality and manufacturing
- Strong technical knowledge in food packaging and FSMA requirements
- Solid understanding of Quality Systems, Food Safety, Quality Assurance and current Food Regulations.
- Basic understanding of plant production systems, manufacturing equipment, GMP, SPC, sanitation and EHS.
- Strong auditing ability and willingness to further your auditing skills.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES- Mastery and globally recognized expertise in QFS systems and programs management.
- Strong ownership and demonstration of Danone behaviors and values
- Excellent communication skills with data driven decision making
- Ability to work under deadlines, with multiple priorities
- Ability to work cross-functionally within organization
- Must be adaptable and flexible
- Self-driven, results oriented, able to work independently
- Ability to work with confidential materials
- Excellent record keeping / documentation skills
- Detail oriented.
- Able to quickly learn new systems, tools, and programs
NONESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:- Trained in SQF, FSSC (GFSI), FSI auditing schemes.
- Experience managing external suppliers/co-manufacturers
- Previous experience in Food or Food Packaging Research and Innovation
- Prior or present responsibility as QA Manager/Engineer for a food manufacturing facility
- Working knowledge of SAP and/or similar ERP databases
Working knowledge of Veeva, ETQ, Optiva and/or similar quality management systems
