Validation Lead

Danone; Zoetermeer; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Pension plan

30 days annual leave

Healthcare allowance

Gym membership discount

Learning & development

Job summary

Danone Zoetermeer is seeking an experienced Validation Lead to own the site Validation Master Plan, driving robust validation across processes, systems, and facilities in a regulated environment.

You will lead end-to-end validation activities, ensure compliance with HACCP principles, and collaborate with Production, Engineering and Quality to embed validation into daily operations. Dutch and English fluency required, with a focus on continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• MSc or BSc in Food Technology, Engineering, Life Sciences, or a related field.
• 5+ years of relevant Validation experience in a regulated food, pharma, or medical nutrition manufacturing environment.
• Proven track record in leading validation strategies and owning validation master plans.
• Strong experience in stakeholder management at senior level; able to influence cross-functionally.
• Solid understanding of HACCP, CCPs, oPRPs and food safety validation principles.

Responsibilities

• Develop, Own and lead the site Validation Master Plan with proactive risk-based validation.
• Drive end-to-end validation programs for processes, systems, equipment and facilities in a regulated environment.
• Lead validation activities for oPRPs and CCPs with HACCP linkage.
• Ensure all validation activities are planned, executed, reviewed and documented per requirements.
• Influence and align senior stakeholders to embed validation in daily operations.
• Continuously improve validation frameworks, procedures and governance.
• Integrate validation outputs into change management and verification processes.
• Serve as primary validation expert during audits; represent the site.
• Coach and develop teams and stakeholders to build validation capability.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Education

MSc or BSc in Food Technology or related

Job description

About the job

Zoetermeer – Fulltime / On Site

Are you an experienced Validation professional ready to take full ownership of the validation strategy within our Nutricia factory in Zoetermeer?

In this role, you act as the site Validation Lead and subject matter expert, driving the Validation Master Plan and ensuring robust, compliant, and future-proof validation practices. You lead and coordinate validation activities end-to-end, safeguarding food safety risks in line with HACCP principles and Danone Quality & Food Safety standards.

You work closely with senior stakeholders across Production, Engineering and Quality, influencing decision-making and embedding validation excellence across the site. With your strong experience, you play a critical role in ensuring the consistent manufacture of safe, high-quality products. Interested? Please read on.

About the job

As Validation Lead, you are accountable for the implementation, driving, and continuously improving the site validation strategy. You take ownership of the set up and driving the Validation Master Plan, ensuring alignment with regulatory, normative, and internal requirements, while enabling operational excellence.

Your key responsibilities include:

• Develop, Own and lead the site Validation Master Plan, ensuring a proactive, risk-based approach and timely execution of all validation and revalidation activities
• Drive end-to-end validation programs for processes, systems, equipment, and facilities within a regulated medical nutrition environment
• Lead and coordinate validation activities for oPRPs and CCPs, ensuring strong linkage with HACCP risk assessments and effective control of food safety hazards
• Ensure all (re)validation activities are planned, executed, reviewed and documented in line with Danone and regulatory requirements
• Influence and align senior stakeholders across Production, Engineering, Maintenance and Quality to embed validation into daily operations and decision-making
• Continuously improve validation frameworks, procedures and governance, strengthening compliance and efficiency
• Integrate validation outputs into change management, monitoring and verification processes
• Act as the primary validation expert during internal and external audits, confidently representing the site
• Coach and develop teams and (senior) stakeholders, building validation capability and awareness across the organization

About you

• MSc or BSc in Food Technology, Engineering, Life Sciences, or a related field
• 5+ years of relevant Validation experience within a regulated food, pharma, or medical nutrition manufacturing environment
• Proven track record in leading validation strategies and owning validation master plans
• Strong experience in stakeholder management at senior level, with the ability to influence and drive alignment cross-functionally
• Solid understanding of HACCP, CCPs, oPRPs and food safety validation principles
• A proactive and accountable mindset: you take ownership, drive results and lead with impact
• Strong analytical skills, with a structured and pragmatic approach to problem-solving
• Excellent communication skills, able to engage and inspire at all organizational levels
• Fluent in English; Dutch is required

About Danone

At Danone we are committed to our mission “bringing health, through food to as many people as possible” and is B Corp certified. Our Supply Point in Zoetermeer is part of Danone Specialized Nutrition. We produce vital liquid medical nutrition that is exported to over 80 countries worldwide, supporting consumers and patients, starting from early life nutrition to adult frailty.

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.