Senior Leadership Role | Transformational Impact

Shape the future of dairy engineering across APAC. Build, transform, and lead at scale.

At Danone, we don’t just manufacture products, we design the future of sustainable nutrition. With iconic brands and a strong mission (One Planet. One Health), we are investing heavily in our operations network and we need a visionary ANZ Dairy Engineering Lead to drive this transformation.

This is a high-impact leadership role at the heart of our operations, where strategy meets execution, and innovation meets scale.

About the Role

As the ANZ Dairy Engineering Lead, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering Danone’s engineering and capital investment strategy across Australia and New Zealand.

Reporting to the APAC Engineering Director, you will lead large-scale transformation programs, oversee multimillion-euro capital projects, and drive engineering excellence across a complex manufacturing network.

You will operate at the intersection of strategy, innovation, and execution, partnering with senior leaders across APAC and globally to deliver sustainable growth.

Strategic Engineering Leadership

• Define and execute the ANZ engineering strategy aligned with APAC and global priorities
• Partner with senior leadership to shape long-term operational and investment decisions
• Influence and elevate engineering performance and capability across the region

Capital Projects & Investment Management

• Lead end-to-end delivery of major CAPEX projects, including new lines, expansions, and site transformations
• Own and deliver the 3-year rolling CAPEX plan aligned with business strategy
• Manage a significant investment portfolio, ensuring delivery on time, in full, and within budget

Execution, Governance & Risk Management

• Drive rigorous project execution across multiple sites, including vendor and resource management
• Establish strong governance, including investment approval processes and performance tracking
• Ensure robust decision-making, risk management, and post-project audits

Operational Excellence, Safety & Compliance

• Embed safety-by-design principles across all engineering projects
• Ensure full compliance with quality, food safety, and regulatory standards
• Standardise engineering and CAPEX procurement practices to optimise cost and efficiency
• Lead IWS/EEM implementation to strengthen asset reliability and performance

Innovation & Future-Ready Manufacturing

• Champion digital, automation, and AI-driven manufacturing solutions
• Lead technology scouting and deploy scalable innovations across sites
• Enable smart factories, remote operations, and sustainable manufacturing practices

Leadership & Capability Building

• Build, coach, and inspire high-performing engineering teams across ANZ
• Strengthen engineering capability and develop future leadership pipelines
• Foster a culture of safety, continuous improvement, and high performance

Strategic Advisory & Growth

• Lead technical due diligence for M&A and expansion initiatives
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on engineering investments and risk
• Partner across a broad internal and external stakeholder network globally

Who You Are

You are a strategic thinker, hands-on leader, and transformation driver who thrives in complex, high-impact environments.

You bring:

• 15+ years of experience in engineering, manufacturing, or operations leadership
• Proven track record delivering large-scale capital projects and transformations
• Deep expertise in project portfolio management, engineering strategy, and manufacturing operations
• Strong leadership and influencing skills in matrix, multi-country environments
• Experience in food, dairy, or FMCG manufacturing (highly preferred)
• Master’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or similar)
• Willingness to travel to the factory in Kiewa (Albury) as and when required

Why Join Danone?

At Danone, purpose and performance go hand in hand. We offer:

• Impact: Lead regional transformation with global visibility
• Leadership: Own high-value, strategic engineering programs
• Collaboration: Work with diverse, world-class teams across APAC and beyond
• Growth: Strong career progression and leadership development opportunities
• Culture: Inclusive, flexible work environment that supports wellbeing
• Rewards: Competitive compensation, benefits, and learning programs
• Purpose: Contribute to sustainable manufacturing aligned with One Planet. One Health.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We believe that diversity of perspectives drives innovation and better outcomes, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.

Ready to Lead the Future of Engineering in ANZ?

If you are ready to shape strategy, lead transformation, and deliver impact at scale, we’ would love to hear from you.

Apply now and be part of something bigger.