Danone New Zealand has embarked on an exciting journey of Integrated Work System (IWS) implementation, introducing innovative and transformative ways of working. To support and guide us on this journey, we are seeking a skilled mentor and coach to assume the role of IWS Lead in Balclutha. This pivotal position will involve coaching and leading the Balclutha site through the Dan-IWS program. 

You will report directly to the Plant Manager, Balclutha, and become an integral part of the plant leadership team, serving as the primary liaison between the Balclutha site and the Global Manufacturing Excellence team. Embrace the role of coach and key leader for the Dan-IWS methodologies, championing the creation of a strong IWS culture across the site. 

You will: 

• Responsible for coaching and advising the Site Leadership Team, Line Teams, and Operations Teams through the Dan-IWS phases. 

• Lead and drive short- and long-term IWS strategy and implementation on-site. 

• Drive and coordinate Dan-IWS methodologies, ensuring successful integration across the site. 

• Engage in daily site consultations and direction-setting meetings, identifying and addressing blockers in the IWS process. 

• Discuss site-wide issues constraining DAN-IWS progress and adjust pillar focus as needed. 

• Conduct IWS Pillar reviews, including health checks, master plan progress, results, gap analysis, and plan sufficiency. 

• Review and design training deployment strategies with the leadership team. 

• Contribute to achieving a zero-harm workplace through active participation in the company’s WISE Health & Safety program. 

• Ensure full compliance with Danone quality standards to deliver the highest quality products to our consumers. 

You are a dynamic, proactive, and confident professional with a stellar track record in leading Operational Excellence programs at large sites. Your experience in fast-paced manufacturing environments, along with your adept stakeholder engagement and project management skills, make you an invaluable asset. Your collaborative working style, outstanding leadership abilities, and excellent verbal and written communication skills set you apart. With your talent for taking ownership and acting with speed, agility, and pragmatism, you are perfectly poised to drive success in this role. 

To be successful, you will also have: 

• Engineering degree, science degree or Manufacturing-related qualifications.   

• Prior experience in IWS or similar Operational Excellence programs  

• Proven experience in leading a team through a change environment is preferred  

• Experience in Infant Formula/Dairy/Food or other FMCG manufacturing is desired  

• Strong IT skills with competence in the MS Office Suite and exposure to an ERP like SAP will be advantageous  

• Excellent team management, organisation skills, and an ability to work with shifting priorities   

• Strong Project Management skills  

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 lives and provide genuine value.  

• A high-performing, collaborative team culture  

• Flexible Hybrid working  

• Thank Danone it’s Friday! 3pm finishes every Friday 

• Diverse and inclusive work environment 

• Personalised learning opportunities to set you up for success 

• Competitive Total Reward package including 

• Health and Life insurance benefits 

• 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 – 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 29th July 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, and disability at our company.