Within the Global Quality and Food Safety (QFS) organization, the mission of Analytical Excellence is to develop a highly responsive and reliable Quality and Food Safety laboratory network, gathering internal and external capabilities, to deal with all analytical related needs, from emerging topics to regulatory requirements, to protect the consumers and patients trusting our brands.

Reporting to the Lab Performance and Data Analytics Director, you will be responsible for managing the analytical performance program for Danone lab network, in close cooperation with various Analytical Excellence & QFS functions.

You will have the following responsibilities:

Lab Performance Program:

• Contribute to Lab Performance Program roadmap based on fundamentals of ISO17025 standard, and actively drive its execution and evolution
• Secure participation of lab network (internal/external) to the program key pillars: compliance assessment through audits, proficiency testing
• Follow performance indicators and strongly support local and global analytical teams to close non-conformities
• Play a key role in strengthening lab quality management system, global lab processes and method compliance including redaction of documents, training, …
• Analyze trends of analytical data sets to drive improvement
• Participate to transversal projects targeting lab efficiency (alternative methods, lean project, …)
• Be part of the lab auditor team

The key deliverables we will expect from you

• Owner of Lab Performance Program global KPIs (audit, P-test): follow-up, reporting, animation
• Yearly planning of Lab Audits (internal/external), and its execution managing priorities, resources & agenda
• Organization of Proficiency testing schemes in interface with category directors and external providers
• Regular review of the lab action plan progresses, gap closure, recurring non-conformities etc.

You will need to travel up to 10-20% of your time.

What the role offers:

• Being part of a transformation team with an ambitious journey for our lab network
• Connection with internal stakeholders (AE category leaders, Danone labs, Danone Quality & Food Safety, Research & Innovation, Digital, Operations teams) as well as external ones (contract labs, key suppliers, standardization bodies…)
• Challenging projects to drive performance in the lab network

Key Requirements:

• At least Master/PhD degree or equivalent with a specialization in analytical science
• At least 10 years of experience in lab related activities with at least 5 years under ISO 17025 accreditation (lab operational activities/management, QMS, audits)
• Knowledge expected: ISO 17025, GLP, lab QMS, auditing
• Can do attitude with agility to manage transversal projects
• Capacity to interact with stakeholders at different levels
• Fluent in the English language, verbal and written.

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 Marc Boualam, Global Analytical Excellence  Director marc.boulam@danone.com 

The deadline to send in applications is Oct. 21st, 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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