Director, Six Sigma & IWS – Q Pillar

About The Job

By collaborating with department heads, process engineers, and other stakeholders, lead the change management efforts to implement data driven mindset, right by design and process improvements effectively and systematically. Promote a culture of continuous improvement by leading the adoption of Six Sigma, Statistical Process Controls and Lean methodologies at all levels of the organization.

The Director, Six Sigma & IWS – Q Pillar is a key strategic leader responsible for shaping the Quality and Food Safety (QFS) vision across the manufacturing network while driving harmonized, data‑driven continuous improvement. This role integrates advanced Lean Six Sigma expertise with end‑to‑end quality governance, capability building, and cultural transformation across all plants. This role is an active member of the Global Quality Pillar team and is responsible for deploying the Pillar across regional sites in full alignment with Danone’s QFS and Dan-IWS standards and requirements.

This requires fostering strong relationships with site-level Pillar teams, demonstrating a service-oriented mindset, and continuously learning from best practices to enhance the Quality Pillar's execution. This position can be based at any of our US plant or HQ locations.

• Continuous Improvement Leadership/ Six Sigma
• Build the Six Sigma/SPC governance and network across US/Canada and SPOC for US + Canada in Global SPC network
• Provide training, coaching, and mentoring to project team members to build Lean Six Sigma capabilities across the organization in the scope of quality by design and continuous excellence.
• Utilize Lean Six Sigma tools to enhance product superiority by design, improve process stability and capability, focusing on reducing variability, center-lining and eliminating non-value-added activities.
• Establish systems to collect, interpret, and analyze data to identify trends, root causes of process issues, and opportunities for improvement. Use statistical tools to validate improvements and ensure sustainability.
• Develop and implement product, process and defect reduction strategies.
• Influence stakeholders to foster a culture of Excellence in Execution and Continuous Improvement.
• Identify, prioritize, and lead/co-lead complex, cross-functional Lean Six Sigma projects to improve product and package consistent Right-First-time delivery of quality attributes, reduce waste, increase throughput, drive quality excellence and cost reduction.
• Develop and deploy impactful SPC train-the-trainer modules.

• Be the US + Canada IWS Q pillar activator building a strong and effective IWS Q pillar across all plants
• Build and deploy IWS Q pillar master plan, train and coach the plants, integrate IWS capabilities into quality processes to define ways of working, establish KPIs, and monitor quality performance to drive continuous improvement
• Collaborate with Corporate Quality and Global Quality teams to fully leverage IWS Danone initiatives, build communication plans
• Leading the deployment of the Global Quality Pillar Guidebook within the region.
• Maintaining and nurturing the regional Quality Pillar network to provide support, drive continuous improvement, capture learnings, and enable best practice sharing.
• Collecting and sharing feedback and insights from regional sites to support ongoing improvement and innovation of the Quality Pillar.
• Assessing the effectiveness of quality systems across the region.
• Collaborating with MCLs and IWS Managers to ensure seamless integration of Pillar activities within broader operational frameworks.

• Prepare and present strategic roadmaps and performance dashboards.
• Provide regular updates to senior leadership.
• Foster open communication across plants and corporate teams.

The salary range for this position is $,000 USD. The exact salary offered will depend on several factors, including the candidate’s relevant experience, geographic location, internal equity, and market conditions. Danone North America additionally offers a performance-based bonus and has a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage,…