Quality & Food Safety (QFS) Process Technology Director

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

About the job

Within the Global Quality and Food Safety team, the Standards and Risk Management (SRM) team plays a key role in guaranteeing the integrity and quality of Danone's Products by translating science and industry-leading practices into standards, Processes and routines to be used By All of Danone.

As Quality & Food Safety (QFS) Process Technology Director, you will be responsible to ensure the ongoing safety and quality of Danone products by establishing and driving QFS governance and compliance in manufacturing environments across the network. Provide global leadership and governance for aseptic, ESL (extended shelf life), and thermal processing technologies to ensure safe, compliant, validated, and high performing operations, enabling innovation, capacity expansion, and reliable start-ups across the network. Drive capability, digitalization, and continuous improvement to prevent incidents, protect consumers, and support growth

• Netherlands
• Hoofddorp
• Hybrid
• Permanent Full-Time

This role will report to the QFS Global Senior Director Operations and Process

MAIN 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 (Clean in place) and SIP (Santize in place) expectations, and filling integrity.
• Govern validation and revalidation frameworks: protocols, challenge testing principles, acceptance criteria, and triggers for revalidation.
• Provide technical governance for major CAPEX and Start-up excellence start-ups: provide expertise in advanced technology, equipment design criteria, commissioning and performance qualification strategy.
• 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 technical communities of practice, coaching experts and site teams.

KEY DELIVERABLES

• Global standards for aseptic, ESL, UHT, pasteurization, sterilization and filling.
• Validation, challenge testing and revalidation protocols.
• Support CAPEX projects, start ups and new line commissioning.
• Reduction in process related severe FS incidents
• Processing technology academies & expert

About you

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• MSc/PhD in Food/Process/Chemical Engineering or equivalent.
• 12-15+ years in thermal and/or aseptic processing, with multi-site/global governance exposure
• Demonstrated expertise in thermal/aseptic processing hygienic design, sanitation validation, EM, shelf-life modeling, and packaging barrier/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

About Danone

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.