Category QFS Manufacturing Director

About the Job

About The Job This role is responsible for category QFS performance in manufacturing in Danone owned factories. The main purpose of the Category QFS Manufacturing role is to ensure operational QFS excellence. We are hiring a total of 4 Category QFS Manufacturing Directors – 2 for Yogurt + Happy Family category and 2 for Plant Based + Beverage category.

• To be a main point of contact with the factory QFS organization ensuring sufficient time and leadership to develop QFS capability within factory teams
• To establish a two-way feedback stream to and from US factories, category teams and global QFS to strengthen standards and performance
• To be accountable for the implementation of the Danone QFS product and operational QFS standards across all factories (Danone owned or Co-Manufacturers) within the designated category
• To ensure the Quality Management System within the factories meets the needs of the product and consumer
• To drive a QFS culture of transparency, continuous improvement and zero-defect minded executional excellence within each factory
• To monitor end-to-end QFS performance and consumer satisfaction metrics, reporting, data and insights analytics and to develop strategies for addressing gaps and performance issues and recognizing good performance
• To co-design with factories and supply chain change projects (Cap Ex and OpEx) to drive food safety compliance and consumer satisfaction
• To be an IWS expert and lead delivery of the Quality Pillar
• To develop the capabilities within the category QFS team and in the factories to deliver and execute the digital and IWS agenda

The role covers all end-to-end QFS design and operational activities within the designated category in the US.

• Lead by example with a servant leadership focus enabling a culture of teamwork and trust across all teams
• Develop highly competent factory QFS organizations capable of implementing strong quality management systems
• Establish a category network linking factories, technical expertise and global QFS teams to drive best practice and category performance
• Establish strong, collaborative relationships with Factory Directors, Operations, R&I, C&P and Supply Chain teams
• Work openly and proactively with zone QFS teams and categories to drive overall performance
• Develop strategies for continuous QFS improvement in the designated category with input to US + Canada FS strategy

• Ensure implementation of food safety and quality policy, procedures and standards in factories and in quality in design processes
• Deliver the implementation of reference analytical tools and methods in factory laboratories
• Ensure audit non-conformances are followed up and closed

• Ensure transparency in reporting issues, KPIs and QFS risks using the Danone systems and standards
• Fully interrogate KPIs and consumer feedback to evaluate product performance and protect brand integrity
• Escalate and manage issues and potential QFS risks timely to appropriate stakeholders while fully securing product, brand integrity and consumer safety, including risks due to factory team capability, performance or product non-conformance
• Ensure robust action plans created from deep root cause analysis are in place and followed up for action closure

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• This role will require traveling on a regular basis to plants

The salary range for this position is $136,000 - $245,000 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, 401k Plan, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options.

To give our employees flexibility, Danone is a hybrid work environment.

Education & Experience

• 10 years in Operations Quality or Operations with a quality driven mindset

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong ownership and…