Validation Lead

Qabird; Zuid-Holland; On-site; EUR 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days of annual leave

Monthly health care allowance

Gym membership discounts

Job summary

Danone is seeking a Validation Lead in Zoetermeer to coordinate validation activities adhering to HACCP principles and Danone Quality standards. This role requires collaboration with Production, Engineering, and Quality to ensure compliance.

The ideal candidate will have a BSc/MSc in a relevant field, at least 3 years of experience in validation within a regulated environment, and strong communication skills to influence stakeholders.

Benefits include a competitive salary, yearly bonus, premium free pension, and continuous learning opportunities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience in validation roles within regulated food or medical nutrition manufacturing.
• Hands-on, result-driven, and able to influence stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the site-level validation plan.
• Lead food safety-related (re)validation activities.
• Provide training and guidance on validation principles.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Analytical

Fluent in English

Proficient in Dutch

Education

BSc or MSc degree in Food Technology, Engineering, Life Sciences

Job description

Validation Lead

Job Location: NL – South Holland – Zoetermeer

Experience Level: Experienced Professionals

Short Intro and About the Job

Validation Lead (Zoetermeer – Fulltime)

Are you ready for your next step in Quality as a Validation Lead within our Danone Nutricia factory in Zoetermeer?

In this role, you lead and coordinate validation activities that support the effective control of hazards in line with HACCP principles and Danone Quality & Food Safety standards. You work closely with Production, Engineering and Quality to ensure robust, compliant and efficient processes. As the site validation expert you act as the site subject matter expert for validation, contributing directly to the consistent manufacture of safe, high‑quality products.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a site‑level validation plan, ensuring timely execution of validations and revalidations in line with Danone standards.
• Plan, coordinate and execute food safety‑related (re)validation activities for oPRPs and Critical Control Points (CCPs) to demonstrate the effectiveness of food safety control measures based on HACCP risk analyses.
• Perform and maintain PRP‑related validations (e.g., cleaning validation).
• Ensure (re)validation activities are executed, reviewed and documented in accordance with Danone requirements.
• Lead CIP and SIP validations directly linked to the effectiveness of CCPs.
• Develop, maintain and improve validation‑related procedures, work instructions and documentation in alignment with QFS standards.
• Provide training, coaching and guidance to relevant stakeholders on validation principles, procedures and expectations.
• Embed validation outcomes into procedures, monitoring, verification and change management processes.
• Act as validation subject matter expert during internal and external audits.

Qualifications

• BSc or MSc degree in Food Technology, Engineering, Life Sciences or a related field (e.g., Food Technology, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering).
• At least 3 years of experience in validation roles within a regulated food or medical nutrition manufacturing environment.
• Strong communication skills and ability to influence cross‑functional stakeholders, and to communicate with people at different levels in the organization.
• A hands‑on, result‑driven, practical professional with a strong bias for action.
• Analytical, factual, stress‑resistant and able to prioritise work activities.
• Fluent in English (speaking & writing) and proficient in Dutch (B1 level).

Benefits

Competitive salary and yearly bonus, premium free pension, 30 days of annual leave (with an option to purchase additional days), monthly health care allowance, gym membership discounts and initiatives focused on nutrition, physical and mental health. Continuous learning opportunities through workshops, online courses and training sessions.

Application Deadline

5 June 2026

Contact

Contact Sigrid van der Poel‑Kreike, Talent Manager – [e-mail]

Contact Marieke Boots, Hiring Manager – [e-mail]