At Danone North America, Quality & Food Safety, Safety, Standards Compliance and Cost-Efficient operation are foundational to our manufacturing operations. US Manufacturing Excellence Senior Director is a strategic leadership role accountable for driving world-class Performance through advancing Integrated Work Systems (DanIWS) across all U.S. manufacturing sites applying modern digital solutions and technology to help in achieving that.

The Senior Director will shape Performance Management structure to ensure excellent execution of short-, mid- and long-term priorities of US Manufacturing.

The Senior Director will collaborate with Global Operations Excellence team, Manufacturing Plant Leadership Teams and functions such as Quality, Engineering, HR, Planning, Procurement, Supply Chain and Operations Performance.

You will be working as co-pilot to SVP US Manufacturing and be part of US Manufacturing team contributing to Strategy development in line with Danone Operations vision and priorities.

People Leadership:

• Engage direct team and US Manufacturing population through impactful and committed way of disciplined application of DanIWS focusing on capabilities development
• Build and develop a high-performing team of DanIWS, Digital Manufacturing Acceleration and Co-Man professionals.
• Lead talent management and succession planning for critical roles within the manufacturing network.
• Be integral part of Organizational transformation driven by new ways of Manufacturing - DanIWS

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and execute a North America DanIWS roadmap aligned with global standards and business priorities.
• Champion a culture of zero loss and zero defects, ensuring continuous improvement and operational resilience.
• Ensure positive Manufacturing Network impact through improved Performance and optimal use of contract manufacturing.
• Propose Yearly Performance targets with per site granularity and relevant KPIs to improve, ensuring US Manufacturing to stay ambitious and realistic by helping sites to develop right glidepaths

Manufacturing Excellence:

• Oversee deployment of IWS methodologies to eliminate losses, optimize cost, and improve productivity across all U.S. sites.
• Establish effective Performance Management system with Daily/Weekly/Monthly performance drumbeat and RACI/KPIs/Process measures in place
• Benchmark US Manufacturing sites internally and externally setting up effective use of Danone GVS approach
• Drive DanIWS capability development across all levels in US Manufacturing, ensure right resourcefulness to achieve that

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Close partnership with Global Operations Excellence team to ensure alignment with Global strategic priorities and effective use of globally available resources to positively impact US Manufacturing.
• Partner with other functions to deliver integrated solutions
• Play key role in initiatives such as automation, digital manufacturing acceleration (DMA), and workforce capability building leveraging available resources within Danone Worldwide (i.e. Industry 5.0 Academy)

Experience:

• 10+ years in manufacturing operations, with at least 5 years in senior leadership roles within food & beverage CPG multi-site environments.
• Proven success in implementing IWS, Lean, TPM, and digital manufacturing transformation strategies.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, or related field; advanced degree preferred.

You possess:

• Strong Leadership skills and established ability to influence and engage people in matrix organizations.
• Excellent Management skills and people development and growth ability.
• Passion and ability for relentless Performance improvement through people Engagement, structured organized Governance, Excellence in execution with attention to important details, zero loss mindset.
• Proficient level in IWS Methodology (or similar successful Lean methodologies) coupled with ability to lead Transformation in complex multi-site, multi-context environment.
• Modern Digital tools savviness with clarity how to effectively choose and implement those in organizations with low-medium digital maturity.  
• Excellent communication and influencing skills across functions and levels.
• Stakeholder management and excellent presentation skills.

Danone U.S. is part of Danone North America, a purpose-driven company and an industry leader in the food and beverage category. You’ll work with some of the best-known food and beverage brands in the world. Our strong portfolio of brands includes: Activia®, DanActive®, Danimals®, Dannon®, evian®, Follow Your Heart®, Happy Family® Organics, International Delight®, Light + Fit®, Nutricia ®, Oikos®, Silk®, So Delicious® Dairy Free,  STōK® Cold Brew Coffee ®, Too Good & Co™, and YoCrunch®.

With approximately 5,000 employees and 13 production locations across the U.S., Danone North America's mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible. 

You’ll be part of one of the largest Certified B Corps™ in the world, working to make sure our company creates real value for people and the planet. Come join our movement for a healthier world: One Planet. One Health BY YOU.

Danone North America is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. It is our policy to give equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to legally protected characteristics, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state/provincial and/or local law. For our EEO policy statement and your EEO rights under law click here.
 
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