We are looking for a Team Leader to ensure optimal landing of business critical China projects, from an ingredient specifications perspective, that are fully compliant with GB regulations.

You will also be responsible for co-building, driving & implementing the China Specifications strategy within the Global Specifications Team & bringing clarity and consistency in wows across the China community (Global and local teams)

This includes managing a direct team in Utrecht, as well as ensuring consistent and shared wows with the dotted line team based locally in China.

You will report into the Senior Team leader Micro Ingredients & China Specifications

From this pivotal position within the SN Global Specifications Team and as part of the SN R&I Team at the Danone Global Research & Innovation centre, you will be responsible for:

• Leading & developing the Global Specification China Team (two direct reports + 1 external).
• Accountable for China registration support including GB documentation and on-site audits at China-approved EU SP, and China RM F4G and inno/reno projects. 
• Building and maintaining a close working relationship with China CBU AMN and ELN including RA, PD, QFS, IRO, and SP (QingDao, ChangSha, WuXi).  
• High-level stakeholder management. Host CN RM SteerCo bimonthly. 
• Building and maintaining a network for China topics such as EU PD China team, central QFS team, and currently China-approved EU Supply Points (LVP, FUL, HAP, MCR, OPO, WXF). 
• Harmonising the ways of working of the China community (Spec managers working on China topics) in global Spec team and including Spec China local team and Spec regional team. 
• Drive China RM topics and challenges within the global specification team for China business. 
• Building common understandings, ways of working, long-term solutions, tools, and continuous improvement for China RM topics both inside and outside Spec team both centrally and locally.  

• Education background in a scientific discipline/quality relevant to food, pharmaceuticals, or medicine.  
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in ingredient, product development, quality & food safety, and/or regulation in Chinese IMF and/or FSMP registration background, preferably with ingredient specification management experience. 
• Knowledge and experience in Chinese GB related to food materials and GMP. 
• Excellent communication and leadership skills to drive cross-functional discussions. 
• High-level stakeholder management and Chinese strategic partnering skills. 
• Ability to collate/interpret analytical data and information, draw conclusions and propose next steps for business. 
• Ability to prioritize workload effectively and work structurally with good time management skills in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. 
• Flexible and adaptable approach to manage changing deadlines and priorities. 
• Pragmatic approach to solve complex processes and situations. 
• Proficient in project management principles. 
• Resilient personality with a strong can-do mentality. 
• Good understanding of business needs, marketing, finance, nutrition, and sensory evaluations.  
• Language skills: fluent English in both writing and speaking. Chinese is a big plus. 

About Us

Working here you’ll need to enjoy a fast-pace, complexity and it can get a little challenging. But it’s packed with opportunities. You’ll work with some of the best-known brands in the world, such as Nutricia, Aptamil, Nutrilon, and other local Infant Formula and Medical brands and we absolutely guarantee that you can just be yourself. Be innovative and entrepreneurial and the impact you could make might just amaze you. Join our movement for a healthier world. One Planet One Health BY YOU.

We are proud to be an equal employer. We are convinced our differences make the difference and that an inclusive working environment will drive our growth as a business, as teams and as individuals. We will therefore consider all applicants for employment* fostering an inclusive working culture that is accessible for all.

Did you know that as a B-Corp certified company, Danone Benelux meets the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability?

We Offer

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.

What’s next?

Are you the Team Leader China Specifications we are looking for? Hit the “apply now” button. After your application deadline first feedback will follow within 2 weeks. In case you are invited to the selection process you should expect to receive feedback 2 weeks after each step of the process.

To comply with GDPR regulations, we cannot process your personal data without given consent. Therefore, we strongly recommend applying directly via our careers website.

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

* all applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status