Senior R&I Liquid Capacity Program Manager (Contract Role to 31st Dec 2029)

Danone; Utrecht; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Danone Specialized Nutrition Research &Innovation (SN R&I) is recruiting a Senior Liquid Capacity Program Manager to lead end-to-end capacity expansion, covering product, process, packaging and specification R&I aspects. The role drives multi-site, cross-functional alignment and robust execution across large-scale initiatives.

This fixed-term contract runs until end of 2029, with travel up to 25% to Hoofddorp & Utrecht in the Netherlands.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of R&I project/program management in FMCG, Food, Pharma or Manufacturing.
• Experience in matrix organizations and governance forums.
• Proven track record managing complex, multi-year cross-functional projects.

Responsibilities

• Single point of contact for all R&I project activities, dashboards, risks, milestones and resources.
• Translate strategy into robust, executable project plans with timelines and deliverables.
• R&I matrix leader; define clear roles, responsibilities and objectives aligned with milestones.
• Anticipate conflicts and synergies; resolve early.
• Balance speed, quality, and robustness in decision-making under uncertainty.
• Actively manage risks, decisions and support needs when required.
• Represent R&I in governance forums (SteerCo) with transparent communication.
• Ensure delivery of all R&I objectives while managing complexity, dependencies and risks.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Project leadership

Strategy to execution

Communication

Leadership under pressure

Risk management

Education

B.A. or MSc in Chemical/Bio-Chemical Engineering, Food Technology/Science

Tools

PMP certification

Job description

Research & Innovation

Danone Specialized Nutrition Research & Innovation (SN R&I) division is recruiting a Senior Liquid Capacity Program Manager to join the team as an end to end program lead for the start up of new greenfield lines representing product, process, package and specification R&I functions.

About the job

This role is critical to drive consistency and successful execution across multiple large-scale R&I initiatives. By consolidating project leadership under one accountable role, we aim to unlock efficiencies, share best practices, proactively manage risks, and ensure R&I commitments are delivered on time, in full, and on cost. The role is 100% dedicated to unlocking new Specialized Nutrition capacity and building strong foundations to enable the success of this program, insulating the team from competing priorities and enabling focused, high impact execution.

Please note this is a fixed term contract position until the end of 2029.

About you

Key Responsibilities:

• Single point of contact for all R&I project activities managing stakeholder alignment, maintaining dashboards tracking progress, risks, milestones, and resource utilization
• Translate strategy into robust, executable project plans with clear timelines and deliverables
• R&I matrix leader fostering a healthy, motivated, and high-performance environment working with direct line managers to define clear roles, responsibilities, and annual objectives aligned with project milestones
• Anticipate conflicts and synergies between projects and act early to resolve them
• Balance speed, quality, and robustness in decision-making under uncertainty
• Actively manage and escape risks, decisions, and support needs when required
• Represent R&I in governance forums, including SteerCo, ensuring transparent communication
• Ensure delivery of all R&I objectives while managing complexity, dependencies, and risks

About You:

• A B.A. or MSc degree in chemical Engineering, Bio-Chemical Engineering, Food Technology, Food Science
• 10 years + significant experience in R&I technical project or program management within FMCG, Food, Pharma or Manufacturing environments.
• Proven track record managing complex, multi-year, cross functional projects, deploying projects in operations.
• Experience operating in a matrix organization and representing R&I interests in senior governance forums in fast paced, high stakes environments.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills at all organizational levels.
• Ability to develop strategy into structured execution plans.
• A Leader who creates clarity, alignment, and engagement while remaining resilient and calm under pressure

Technical Experience:

• Strong understanding of Quality & Food safety non negotiables for this category
• Master levels understanding of qualification and validation process requirements
• Proven R&I project management track record preferably with PMP or equivalent certification
• Experience starting up aseptic processing and packaging lines
• Willingness to travel up to 25% to Hoofddop & Utrecht, Netherlands
• Operations and / or quality role experience in liquid medical products an advantage

About Danone

Danone is a large, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company with market leading brands across four divisions: Essential Dairy and Plant Based Products, Waters, Specialised Nutrition and Medical Nutrition. Specialised Nutrition offers nutritional solutions with the shared goal of improving the health and well-being of vulnerable individuals, from the first day of pregnancy into old age. We are looking for high calibre, dedicated and experienced personnel to complement our existing workforce.

At Danone we are passionate in our commitment to sustainability with the belief in building a healthier future through food. Our eating and drinking choices have an impact on our own health, the health of our society and the health of our planet.