Global QFS Process Technology Director (Aseptic & ESL)

Danone; Hoofddorp; Hybrid; EUR 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Danone in the Netherlands is seeking a Quality & Food Safety Process Technology Director to drive governance across aseptic, ESL and thermal processing. You will shape global standards, support new line commissioning and CAPEX start-ups, and lead capability building across the network.

The role reports to the QFS Global Senior Director Operations and Process, requires 12-15+ years in thermal/aseptic processing, and demands strategic vision, strong leadership, and data-driven decision making to

Qualifications

• MSc/PhD in Food/Process/Chemical Engineering or equivalent.
• 12-15+ years in thermal and/or aseptic processing with multi-site/global governance exposure.
• Expertise in thermal/aseptic processing hygienic design, sanitation validation, EM, shelf-life modeling, and packaging integrity.
• Strong RCA/CAPA leadership.
• Lean/Six Sigma, SPC, and validation methodologies preferred.
• Data driven decision making; digital & automation savvy.
• Cross functional influence and stakeholder management.
• Coaching & capability building.
• Incident/crisis leadership and resilience.

Responsibilities

• Strategy & Governance: maintain global technology and validation strategy for aseptic/ESL/thermal processes and filling technologies.
• Steward global standards for aseptic processing, UHT/ESL, pasteurization, sterilization, hygienic design, CIP/SIP.
• Govern validation and revalidation frameworks: protocols, challenge testing principles, acceptance criteria, triggers for revalidation.
• Provide technical governance for major CAPEX and Start-up excellence start-ups: expertise in advanced technology and commissioning.
• Provide technical leadership in major incidents involving sterility assurance, thermal control deviations, or filling failures.
• Sponsor RCAs, ensure corrective actions are robust, verified, and globally shared.
• Capability Building & Network Leadership: sponsor global Capability Academy for aseptic/ESL/thermal/filling; drive communities of practice.
• Drive technical communities of practice, coaching experts and site teams.

Skills

Leadership

RCA/CAPA

Digital & Automation

Stakeholder Mgmt

Coaching

Lean Six Sigma

Data-driven

Cross-functional

Thermal/Aseptic

Validation

Education

MSc/PhD in Food/Process/Chemical Eng

Job description

Danone in the Netherlands is seeking a Quality & Food Safety Process Technology Director to drive governance across aseptic, ESL and thermal processing. You will shape global standards, support new line commissioning and CAPEX start-ups, and lead capability building across the network.

The role reports to the QFS Global Senior Director Operations and Process, requires 12-15+ years in thermal/aseptic processing, and demands strategic vision, strong leadership, and data-driven decision making to