Advance your career as a Laboratory Manager at Danone, where your expertise will drive Food Safety and Quality across New Zealand operations. In this influential role, you’ll champion a “Safety First, Quality Always” culture, set high standards for both Danone Nutricia ANZ and third-party partners, and provide critical laboratory insights to fuel business growth and innovation

In this important position, you will:

• Lead Danone Auckland laboratory operations and support Balclutha laboratory management.
• Ensure impartiality, confidentiality, and full compliance with ISO 17025, RLP, Quality, Food Safety, and Biosecurity requirements.
• Maintain an A‑grade Danone Global Analytical Excellence (AE) audit rating.
• Establish and oversee test procedures for finished goods, semi-finished goods, and raw materials while optimizing resources for efficiency and compliance.
• Provide expert technical guidance on product testing and strategically manage third-party testing to meet business needs.
• Set departmental objectives, monitor performance, and lead continuous improvement initiatives, including strengthening in-house testing capability.
• Develop and coach a high-performing team of technical experts and team leaders.

You are an inspiring people leader with a strong commitment to quality and safety. Your strategic vision, technical expertise, and collaborative approach empower teams to achieve excellence. Thriving in fast-paced, multicultural settings, you drive transformation and innovation, ensuring every decision supports business growth and product integrity. If you’re ready to make a real impact as a Laboratory Manager, this is your chance to lead with purpose and help us deliver safer, healthier products to millions every day.

To be successful, you will also have:

• BSc or higher qualification in Food Science/Chemistry/Microbiology/Engineering, or a related discipline.
• At least 10 years’ experience in managing ISO17025 accredited Laboratories in Dairy/Food/Nutrition or Pharmaceutical industry.
• Proven expertise in laboratory operations, audits, regulatory compliance, and food safety management systems.
• A track record of leading high-performing teams and developing talent in complex, fast-paced environments.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to simplify complex concepts and drive results.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience influencing at all levels.
• Experience working cross-functionally with a collaborative and agile approach.
• A passion for continuous improvement, innovation, and delivering on commitments.

We truly value our Danoners and strive to make their experience exceptional by creating a positive and fulfilling environment for everyone. Our unique benefits are designed to enhance the lives and provide genuine value.

• A high-performing, collaborative team culture
• Flexible Hybrid working
• Diverse and inclusive work environment
• Personalised learning opportunities to set you up for success
• Competitive Total Reward package including
  • Health and Life insurance benefit
  • 26 weeks of gender-neutral paid parental leave
  • Employee Share Subscription Plan after 12 months of service
  • Performance-related incentives and annual reviews

More about Us:

At Danone, we aim to inspire healthier and more sustainable eating and drinking practices, in line with our Vision - Danone, One Planet. One Health.  We operate across four business lines: Essential Dairy and Plant-Based Products, Waters, and Specialised Nutrition. Our headquarters are in France, we have offices in 55 countries across the globe, and our products are sold in over 120 markets. We have been around for more than a century and are the proud owners of some of the best-known brands worldwide, including favorites like YoPro, Activia, Aptamil, and Karicare

Danone ANZ focuses on dairy and specialized nutrition products for infants and adults and is proud to be awarded the Great Place to Work accreditation winner for ANZ for the last 5 years in a row – a globally recognised program where we feature as one of Australia’s top places to work.

Visit our website, WE ARE DANONE, to know more about us.

How to Apply

If this opportunity resonates with you and you’re eager to shape and define this role, then go ahead and seize the moment. Click on the APPLY button and share your resume with us before  2^nd February 2025.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

We proudly affirm that we are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, and our ambition is to foster an INCLUSIVE & DIVERSE workplace where all Danoners can bring their uniqueness to contribute to business results. Our commitment to DEI ensures that all qualified individuals receive fair consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability at our company.