Nutricia Research Centre for Specialized Nutrition, located in the Utrecht Science Park in the Netherlands is a state of the art Life Science innovation Center for the development of new product concepts for Specialized Nutrition. We create formulas that provide clinically substantiated health benefits to vulnerable consumers – infants, toddlers, elderly and patients. 

For Specialized Nutrition R&I (SN R&I) division we are looking for a Senior Team Leader to join the team. 

Your main responsibilities

We are looking for a Senior Team Leader to head up our Flexible & Fibre Packaging team. Leading a group of 7 packaging experts, you will define the strategic direction, oversee execution of key packaging projects, and coach the team to deliver high-impact, innovative, and sustainable packaging solutions.

This role requires balancing research and innovation, to unlock the packaging of the future, with business continuity and compliance, ensuring today’s solutions are safe, reliable, and regulatory-ready. You will play a pivotal role in delivering packaging that meets Specialist Nutrition’s uncompromising safety standards, while steering the transition towards a more circular, sustainable portfolio.

•  Co-lead with the global and regional business to shape and execute the packaging innovation roadmap, delivering excellence while meeting all quality, time, and cost objectives. 

• Collaborating with cross functional teams to fully understand the market needs, competitor landscape, critical consumer, customer & business pain points and the key assumptions to be considered in the beginning of each initiative. 

• Develops leading edge Packaging Development Capabilities in Packaging business that could benefit the whole SN/Danone business  

• Provide strong leadership, creative and strategic oversight throughout the process. Use judgment, influence, and gating process to stop less desirable, viable and feasible projects early to avoid unproductive consumption of resources 

• Ensure progress on our Packaging Sustainability commitments 

• Internal and External Customer & executive Presentations:  Provides internal presentations ranging from project updates to in depth technical reviews 

• Ensure progress on our Packaging Sustainability commitments 

This role provides an excellent opportunity to influence the future design direction of Danone Nutricia Specialized Nutrition, where there is an emphasis on consumer and customer-winning pack designs, creating high quality packaging, in conjunction to functionality; cost optimization & sustainability. From this pivotal position within Nutricia’s Research Centre you will be responsible for:

• Cocreate with the business the SN Global Pipeline and make it happen with excellence in the market places 

• Leads and coordinates all project development activities and timeline from concept through Packaging Definition, Validation, Qualification and Implementation on the Market (while working closely with cross functions, markets and external partners across the Globe 

• Engages in consumer research activities in order to fully understand consumer journey and pain points   

• Brainstorming: run with the business ideation and brainstorming sessions to transforms consumer hypotheses and insights into packaging ideas, quickly those ideas to functional and testable prototypes.  

• Prototype Development: develop within the team mastery on development of Packaging prototypes, starting with quick models up to fully functional, consumer testable packaging  

• Intellectual Property:  Works with our IP team to convert key consumer insights along with corresponding attributes, material structures and manufacturing methods into patent filings 

• Focus on leading, growing and building a high performing team 

• Create a constant learning environment and culture for the team to ensure that the team remains up to date, bold and laser focus on the priorities aligned with the board, being able and willing to innovate  

• Create internal and external ecosystems that ensure we leverage external innovation, technologies and maintain our competitive edge 

We are looking for a strong and inspiring leader with a clear strategic vision, who is result-driven, dynamic, and flexible. You have excellent communication and influencing skills, combined with strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities. You are able to build credibility, manage senior stakeholders, and develop your team to a higher level while balancing innovation with operational excellence.

Technical Expertise

• University degree in Packaging, Materials Science, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of packaging experience, with deep expertise in flexible and fibre packaging technologies.
• Proven track record in leading complex, multi-stakeholder packaging projects within FMCG, food, or healthcare.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements for packaging in nutrition, infant, or healthcare categories.
• Subject matter authority in flexible films, laminates, pouches, sachets, and fibre-based packaging.
• Ability to embed eco-design principles (lightweighting, mono-materials, recyclability, renewable fibres) and drive continuous improvements in performance, cost, and sustainability.

Leadership & People Management

• 5+ years of experience leading teams (ideally 5+ people).
• Skilled in setting strategic direction, allocating resources, and coaching technical experts.
• Experienced in building high-performing, resilient teams that combine innovation with compliance and business continuity.
• Strong ability to connect across functions and geographies, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic thinker able to translate vision into execution.
• Strong stakeholder management, persuasion, and risk management skills.
• Passionate about packaging, sustainability, and innovation, with proven success in global environments.
• Skilled in agile innovation tools and techniques.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Fluent in English; other languages are a plus.

At Danone we are committed to our mission “bringing health, through food to as many people as possible”. We are working together to make sure that our brands, like Nutricia and Nutrilon, create real benefits for people, communities and the planet. You will be part of one of the largest Certified B Corps™ in the world. Being B Corp means to be part of a select movement of companies verified to be meeting the highest standards of social and environmental criteria and using business as a force for good. One Planet. One Health.

Our state-of-the-art research and innovation center builds bridges between food and science and is global in reach, founded on over 125 years of experience in life & food science, technology and user experience and is at the forefront of pioneering advances in specialized nutrition.

We offer:

All Danoners receive a complete package of benefits. This includes a competitive salary and yearly bonus, a premium free pension, 30 days of annual leave (with the opportunity to purchase more) and you will receive a monthly health care allowance. In addition, you can get discount on your gym membership, and we offer initiatives focused on nutrition, physical, and mental health. We provide continuous learning opportunities through workshops, online courses and training sessions.

We put people at the center of everything we do. Bring your unique perspective, ambitions and ideas to the table – the impact you could make might surprise you. We are committed to embrace diversity, nurturing an inclusive workplace where every individual is valued; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is deeply embedded in Danone's DNA.

What's next:

It’s simple – hit the “apply” button before the application deadline of 20-09-2025 In order to comply with GDPR we can’t process your personal data without your given consent, so please apply directly via this website. Good luck! We can’t wait to meet you.

Need more information? Please contact Joost Rijksen, joost.rijksen@danone.com

* All applications will be considered for a vacancy without discrimination based on ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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