This role is responsible for defining and maintaining Food Safety (FS) criteria and surveillance programs for Specialized Nutrition (SN) categories, including First Diet products. The main purpose of the role is to ensure product compliance through robust surveillance planning, incident management, and data-driven portfolio assessments.

• Lead Finished products standards & Surveillance Programs
• Define FS criteria for SN categories finished products, including First Diet.
• Coordinate the Annual Surveillance Plan:

• • Plan scope with scientific rationale.
  • Own root cause analysis (RCA) follow-up.
  • Ensure mitigation measures are implemented to restore product compliance.

• Act as the first point of contact for incidents reported in PNC Veeva, interfacing between DFSC and manufacturing sites.
• Conduct data analysis and portfolio assessments to support strategic decision-making and compliance improvement.

The role covers all standards definition, surveillance planning, and incident management activities within the SN category.

Key deliverables of the job

• Definition of FS Standards for finished products for infant and young child and medical nutrition products
• Verification of these FS Standards for Finished products implementation & Compliance review
• Timely management of emerging and evolving food safety risk
• Communication and training of stakeholders for FS Standards for finished products implementation

Leadership

• Lead cross-functional projects with strategic impact.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Drive a culture of compliance and continuous improvement.
• Influence and align teams around FS standards and surveillance priorities.

Compliance

• Ensure implementation of FS and quality policies, procedures, and standards.
• Monitor and manage product compliance across SN categories.
• Ensure timely resolution of non-conformances and incident follow-ups.

Governance & Reporting

• Ensure transparency in reporting issues, KPIs, and FS risks using Danone systems.
• Analyze data to evaluate product performance and protect brand integrity.
• Ensure robust action plans based on root cause analysis are implemented and tracked.
• Escalate and manage FS risks effectively.

Key Requirements:

• At least 5 yrs work experience on chemical contaminants in food
• Educational background in Food safety, food sciences, food technology or nutrition and health sciences
• Good knowledge of the key technologies used in Specialized Nutrition (spray drying, dry blending, pasteurization, sterilization, aseptic filling, drum drying) and their related FS risks and mitigations
• Very Good level of knowledge in all categories of main food hazards (allergens, contaminants, foreign bodies, microbiology)
• Demonstrates strong capability to define and set finished product specifications, ensuring alignment with food safety standards, regulatory requirements, and product quality objectives
• Very Good level of knowledge in food science and food regulation
• Good knowledge of root cause analysis and problem-solving capabilities
• Good knowledge and practical expertise statistics and analytical sampling plans
• Advanced data analytics knowledge
• Strong leadership to drive change and compliance
• Strategic mindset with the ability to lead complex projects
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to advocate for positions and ensure alignment across teams
• Strong ownership and demonstration of Danone behaviors and values

At Danone, we offer a complete package of benefits, with a competitive primary salary and yearly bonus, but also benefits like a premium free pension, 30 days annual leave and several discounts on a collective health insurance and even on some of our products.

In the Netherlands we also offer a hybrid working environment which enables each team to meet our people's desire for flexibility. Across our 3 office hubs in Hoofddorp, Zoetermeer and Utrecht this helps us create better opportunities for connection & synergies across our entities, teams, functions and categories.

What’s next?

Hit the “apply now” button!

To comply with GDPR regulations, we cannot process your personal data without given consent. Therefore, we strongly recommend applying directly via our career website. Need more information? Please contact talent manager Fariha Samad (fariha.samad@danone.com) OR Hiring Manager Farai Maphosa, FS Director, SN Categories (farai.maphosa@danone.com) 

The deadline to send in applications is Nov 5th, 2025.

* all applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status

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