SENIOR DIRECTOR DDAI PROGRAMS

Danone; Gif-sur-Yvette; On-site; EUR 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Danone France's R&I center in Gif-sur-Yvette is a global hub for food innovation research, embedding AI and data into core workflows.

The Senior Director DDAI Programs leads cross-functional programs, driving strategy, delivery, and business impact across R&I flagships, including gut health initiatives.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of leadership experience in tech, data, or digital transformation.
• Experience in Food CPG or Pharmaceutical R&I is a plus.
• Strong strategic and business acumen.
• Proven track record in Program Leadership and scaling complex initiatives.
• Ability to influence at the executive level and drive value.
• Experience leading multi-function programs and teams.

Responsibilities

• Drive DDAI strategy into a 1-3 year action plan for effective execution and scaling.
• Hold accountability for R&I delivery and impact maximization.
• Partner with Senior Management and cross-functional clients (Marketing, Operations, Supply).
• Lead, mentor, and develop DDAI Product Directors to deliver solutions.
• Secure talent and budget with the DDAI Strategic Office.
• Bring external market trends to shape what’s next for R&I.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Program leadership

Cross-functional delivery

Executive influence

Change management

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field

Job description

About The Job

Danone France is not trying to be the best company in the world, but the best company for the world! That's why all 26 of our brands in France are B Corp™ certified. B Corp is the compass that guides our CSR strategy! This certification allows us to challenge ourselves, continually improve and measure our social and environmental performance.

Danone's research and innovation (R&I) centre, located in Gif-sur-Yvette on the Saclay plateau, is a global center of excellence dedicated to food innovation research. Inaugurated in 2023, this ultra-modern center is at the heart of one of the world's leading scientific hubs. It is home to more than 500 passionate experts of 40 different nationalities, working in the fields of life sciences, health and nutrition, consumer experience and the development of tomorrow's products. Equipped with laboratories and pilot facilities, it supports innovation and development. The Danone R&I Center is part of a global research ecosystem designed to foster collaboration with food technology start-ups and accelerate innovation in partnership with consumers and food and health stakeholders.

DDAI (Data, Digital & AI) is one of the strategic pillars of Danone’s global R&I transformation. It exists to accelerate how we innovate — by embedding digital, data and artificial intelligence into every step of our scientific, product, and operational workflows. DDAI enables R&I teams to deliver faster, better, and more confidently, turning complex science and insights into real business impact.

DDAI plays a pivotal role in:

• Accelerating innovationthrough digital twins, in‑silico models, advanced analytics, and GenAI tools.
• Strengthening scientific capabilitieswith proprietary AI models and integrated data ecosystems.
• Improving efficiency and complianceby digitizing QFS & R&I processes, enabling faster regulatory workflows.
• Upskilling the organizationthrough the DDAI Academy and cross‑functional collaboration with IT&Data and QFS.

DDAI is building the digital, data and AI backbone of Danone R&I. Joining DDAI means joining a purpose‑driven, pioneering team at the heart of how Danone reinvents health through food, reshaping how Danone designs the next generation of products, services, and scientific breakthroughs powered by science and technology.

Position Overview :

Reporting directly to the VP Global R&I Digital and AI, the Senior Director DDAI Programs is a pivotal leadership role responsible for orchestrating complex, cross-functional programs that are reshaping our innovation pipeline. This role is a key driver for the entire R&I transformation. You will:

• Lead the successful execution, integration, and scaling of our most critical DDAI initiatives across R&I.
• Be accountable for the R&I delivery and maximize the business impact of our flagship programs, which are designed to drive business superiority and team performance.
• Co‑lead/co‑shape a business big bet by leading the strategy, development, and delivery of one key DDAI program (related to Gut health), acting as Product Director and guiding Product Owners.
• Lead a talented team of DDAI Product Directors, ensuring our strategic goals are turned into real‑world solutions with speed and impact.

Key Responsibilities :

• Drive Strategy to Action: Build, shape, and deliver the DDAI strategy, translating it into a 1-3 year action plan for effective execution and scaling across R&I flagships.
• Maximize Impact: Hold accountability for R&I delivery and impact maximization, ensuring programs provide strong value and build the right capabilities.
• Executive Influence & Partnership: Act as primary business partner, regularly interacting with Senior Management. Ensure strategic alignment with internal and cross‑functional clients (Marketing, Operations, Supply).
• Transformation & Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop DDAI Product Directors, acting as a change agent to accelerate value, speed, and simplification. Deliver through others, flexing leadership style as required.
• Resource & Governance: Partner with the DDAI Strategic Office to secure talent and budget. Navigate conflicts pragmatically, prioritizing Danone First.
• Holistic View & Foresight: Bring the outside in (R&I trends, market dynamics) to shape "what’s next". Maintain a holistic view of R&I’s x-functional contribution.

About You

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant business, engineering, or science field.
• 15+ years of leadership experience in a technology, data, or digital transformation environment. Experience in Food CPG, or Pharmaceutical R&I is a plus.
• Strategic Acumen: Proven ability to build, shape, and deliver a strategy, coupled with strong business acumen.
• Execution & Impact: Demonstrated excellence in Program Leadership, with a proven track record of executing and scaling complex, high-impact programs.
• Senior Leadership & Influence: Ability to influence at the executive level and a proven track record of acting as an agent of driving value, speed, and simplification.
• Cross-Functional Delivery: Experience in leading large programs across multiple domains and functions (multi-function horizontal/vertical engagement) and delivering through internal and external networks.
• Functional & Personal Skills: Strong self-drive and the ability to act as an expert/own a domain, alongside problem-solving fundamentals and experience as a change agent willing to challenge the status quo.

About Us

We are proud to promote diversity and equal opportunities within our teams. We believe that our differences make a difference and that an inclusive working environment will stimulate our growth as a company, as teams and as individuals. We will therefore consider all applications*, promoting an inclusive working culture where everyone can feel they belong.

We have also decided to remove inclusive writing from our job offers because its complexity penalises people with cognitive disabilities, such as dyslexia, dysphasia or apraxia.

*All applications will be considered regardless of origin, background, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability...

One Planet, One Health - BY YOU!

Our four ‘HOPE’ values: HUMANISM, OPENNESS, PROXIMITY and ENTHUSIASM serve as our compass.

Every day, you will make decisions that have an impact on our economic and social performance, as well as on our ability to achieve our ambitions. At Danone, you can simply be yourself. We believe it's up to YOU to define the way you work, develop and grow. With us, you'll work in a challenging, authentic and caring environment.