Utrecht/Hybrid

Are you an expert in fibre and flexible packaging with strong strategic leadership, ready to drive innovation at scale? Do you thrive on guiding high-performing teams and delivering packaging solutions that make a real impact? Join our Specialized Nutrition R&I (SN R&I) division as our next Senior Team Leader to lead our Fibre & Flexible Packaging team! 

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. 

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 deadline of 11-06-2026. 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 Camila Grosso, Talent Manager via camila.grosso1@danoen.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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