Digitalization Program Manager - Packaging Pilot Plant and Laboratory

Danone; Utrecht; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Yearly bonus

Premium pension

30 days annual leave

Health care allowance

Gym membership discount

Learning opportunities

Job summary

Danone is seeking a Digitalization Program Manager to lead digital transformation for its Packaging Pilot Plant and Laboratory. You will modernize how experimental data is captured, connected, and used to accelerate innovation and collaboration across R&I.

You will report to the Sr Team Leader and work across IT/OT standards, cybersecurity, and enterprise data platforms, shaping end-to-end data workflows and governance to drive faster decision-making.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related technical field is required.
• 5-8 years in digital transformation or data systems within R&D, pilot plants or labs.
• Experience driving digital workflows and end-to-end data capture and reporting.
• Ability to translate business needs into IT/data requirements.
• Solid understanding of data management, governance, and IT/OT environments.
• Familiar with SCADA, MES, historian, PLC/IIoT, sensors, Azure or Databricks.

Responsibilities

• Lead the digital transformation roadmap for the Evian Pilot Plant and Laboratory.
• Identify and prioritize high-impact processes for digitalization.
• Design and improve end-to-end data workflow from test planning to reporting.
• Act as data steward with governance, quality rules, and KPI inputs.
• Manage daily digital operations including shopfloor data acquisition and instrument connectivity.
• Explore real-time monitoring, digital twins, and simulation use cases.
• Drive adoption by training users and collecting feedback.

Skills

Digital transformation experience

Data workflows

Automation in R&D environments

Pilot plant & lab operations knowledge

Translating business needs to IT/data

IT/OT governance

Data governance & metadata standards

Stakeholder training & change adoption

Travel willingness

Cybersecurity awareness

Education

Master's degree in Engineering, Data Science, Computer Science, Automation, Information Systems, or related field

Tools

Azure

Databricks

LIMS/ELN

SCADA

MES

Historian

PLC/IIoT

Job description

About The Job

Utrecht / Hybrid

Are you passionate about digital transformation, data-driven innovation, and advanced packaging technologies? Are you an experienced digital or data professional with a background in manufacturing, laboratories, pilot plants, or R&D environments? We have an exciting opportunity as Digitalization Program Manager - Packaging Pilot Plant & Laboratory.

Our team

Our Advanced Technologies Packaging team develops breakthrough packaging solutions, technologies, and materials that create value for consumers and the planet. Within this organization, the Advanced Data & Modelling team drives data-driven and digital capabilities that accelerate innovation through advanced analytics, modelling, and connected ways of working.

As part of the Advanced Data & Modelling team, you will lead the digital transformation of Danone's Packaging Pilot Plant & Laboratory. You will help modernize how experimental data is captured, connected, and leveraged, enabling faster innovation, better decision-making, and stronger collaboration across R&I.

In your role as Digitalization Program Manager, your key responsibilities are:

• Lead the digital transformation roadmap for the Evian Pilot Plant and Laboratory, aligned with Danone R&I data strategy, IT/OT standards, cybersecurity, and enterprise data platforms.
• Identify and prioritize high-impact processes for digitalization across pilot plant and laboratory operations.
• Design, implement and continuously improve the end-to-end data workflow, from test request and planning to execution, data capture, reporting, and knowledge capitalization.
• Act as data steward, ensuring robust data models, metadata standards, governance, quality rules, traceability, reusability, and reliable inputs for KPI calculations and dashboards.
• Manage daily digital operations, including shopfloor data acquisition, sensor upgrades, laboratory instrument connectivity, workflow updates, software maintenance, troubleshooting, and user support.
• Identify digital use cases such as real-time monitoring, in-silico models, and virtual pilot approaches to improve trial efficiency, lab performance, knowledge reuse, scale-up confidence, and decision-making.
• Drive adoption by engaging users, training stakeholders, collecting shopfloor feedback, and adapting solutions to operational needs.

Meet your future manager! You will report to Federico Hernandez, Capability & Prototyping Sr Team Leader.

About You

You bring:

• Master's degree in Engineering, Data Science, Computer Science, Automation, Information Systems, or a related scientific discipline.
• 5-8 years of experience in digital transformation, data systems, automation, or smart manufacturing within an R&D, laboratory, pilot plant, or industrial environment.
• Experience driving digital transformation, data workflows, or smart manufacturing in pilot plant, laboratory, manufacturing, or industrial R&D environments.
• Strong understanding of pilot plant/lab operations and end-to-end workflows, from planning and execution through data capture and reporting.
• Ability to translate business and operational needs into IT, data, and automation requirements.
• Strong knowledge of data management, governance, integration, and IT/OT environments.
• Hands-on exposure to technologies such as SCADA, MES, Historian, PLC/IIoT, sensors, Azure, Databricks, or equivalent platforms.
• Experience with LIMS/ELN, scientific data systems, digital twins, simulation, or advanced analytics is a plus.
• Fluent in English and French, with the ability to work effectively in a French-speaking pilot plant and laboratory environment.
• Willingness to travel frequently (approximately 60%), primarily to Evian, France.
• Experience with Azure, Databricks, or other enterprise data platforms is a plus.
• Familiarity with digital twins, process simulation, modelling, or advanced analytics is a plus.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity, IT/OT environments, and industrial system lifecycle management is a plus.

About Us

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. We are committed to embrace diversity, nurturing an inclusive workplace where every individual is valued; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is deeply embedded in Danone's DNA.

Need more information? Please contact Camila Grosso, Talent Manager via [e-mail]

* All applications will be considered for a vacancy without discrimination based on ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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