The R&I Director Excellence for Zones and Categories will act as a versatile partner within the R&I organization.

Managing a wide number of both operational and strategic topics, directly reporting into the SVP of Categories and Zones for R&I. As part of the leadership board they will coordinate key activities, managing special projects and acting as the link between the leadership team and the rest of the organization

 Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic support. Provide advice on strategic decisions, ensuring these are inline and synchronized with overall company ambitions, R&I strategy and agreed frameworks.  Active in formulating policies as well as analyze complex reports
• Oversee strategy and ensure this is put into action, including operational excellence, this could include (but not limited to) ;
  • Defining and tracking performance against agreed key priorities through OKR’s, proving a clear view of progress and area’s needing attention
  • Preparation & follow up of key meetings & presentations
  • Coordinating of organization budget in partnership with finance and HR
• Lead, oversee or coordinate selected projects or task forces, often across departments and/or functions, ensuring alignment with the strategic goals
• Act as a vital communication channel between the SVP R&I team and various other departments, i.e. chief of staff of the Chief R&I office in addition to other critical support members of the executive R&I team members & other functions
• Operational Leadership, develop and implement process improvements  to create an improvement in performance
• Manage cross-functional projects, ensuring timely and successful completion
• Stakeholder Management facilitate effective collaboration among departments and external partners.

Key interfaces include

• SVP within R&I
• R&I board members
• Chief of staff CRDO
• Finance and HR business Partners to R&I

As well as working closely with marketing, innovation, Cycles & Procurement and Operations

Experience:

• In excess of 10 years working within Research & Innovation
• Experienced in working at both local (country) level as well as globally.
• Proven experience in R&I leadership positions (incl. CODI) and preferably project & portfolio management

Qualification & Skills

• Advanced strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Developed operational acumen to get things done, offering the ability to drive process improvements.
• Strong business awareness and savviness
• Project management experience often managing multiple projects whilst maintaining clear communication and effective execution
• Good understanding of Danone (R&I) organization, culture, metrics, policies and systems
• Strong analytical skills to identify problem, evaluate options and make informed decisions that support the organization’s (strategic) direction
• Excellent communication, influencing and interpersonal skills – able to effectively convey messages, influence others and serve as a liaison between the executive team and the rest of the organization
• High emotional intelligence to build trust, understand interpersonal dynamics and navigate complex organizational relationships
• Excellent integrity, and able to deal with uncertainty
• Proven levels of adaptability and agility in navigating changing business landscapes.
• Detail oriented with clarity of thought needed to present and work accurately with often confidential data
• Commitment to excellence.
• Resilient and proactive, with a positive and solutions-oriented mindset.
• Lead by example, promoting the company’s values and vision.

We are proud to promote diversity and equal opportunity within our teams. We believe that our differences will make a difference, and that an inclusive work environment will drive our growth as a company, as a team, and as individuals. We will therefore consider all applications* by fostering an inclusive work culture where everyone can feel at home. 

We have also chosen to remove inclusive writing from our job offers because its complexity penalizes people with cognitive disabilities, including dyslexia, dysphasia, or apraxia.

*All nominations will be considered regardless of origin, background, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability…

One Planet, One Health - BY YOU! 

Our four core values "HOPE": HUMANISM, OPENNESS, CLOSENESS and ENTHUSIASM serve as our compass. 

Every day, you will make decisions that impact our economic and societal performance, as well as our ability to achieve our ambitions.  

At Danone, you can just be yourself. We are convinced that it is up to YOU to define how you work, develop and progress. 

With us, you will work in a challenging, authentic, and caring environment.  

You want to take action to bring health through food to as many people as possible?