Category QFS Manufacturing Director

Overview

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 looking to hire a total of 4 Category QFS Manufacturing Directors -- 2 focused on our Yogurt + Happy Family category & 2 focused on our 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 2 way stream of feedback to and from US factories, category teams and global QFS to ensure a strengthening of standards and increased performance.
• To be accountable for the implementation of the Danone QFS product and operational QFS standards across all the 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 within each factory a QFS culture of transparency, continuous improvement and zero-defect minded executional excellence.
• To monitor end-to-end QFS performance and consumer satisfaction metrics, reporting, data and insights analytics and make strategies for addressing gaps and performance issues as well as 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 & execute the digital and IWS agenda.

The role covers all end-to-end QFS design and operational activities, within the designated category within 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 that are technical and capable of implementing strong quality management systems
• Establish a category network linking factories, technical expertise and global QFS teams to drive best practice, shared learnings and ultimately 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 designated category but also 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. This includes risks due to factory team capability, performance or product non-conformance.
• Ensure robust action plans created from a deep root cause analysis are in place and follow up on action closure.

• 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 demonstration of Danone behaviors and values.
• Proven strategic mindset with servant leadership in focus to enable functional teams for execution with excellence.
• Mastery and globally recognized expertise in QFS systems and programs management.
• Excellent communication skills and leadership courage.
• Strong leadership to drive change within the organization.
• Strong problem solving skills and focus on enabling excellence in execution.
• Facts and data driven, with strong synthesis and analytical capabilities.

Life at Danone
With approximately 5,000 employees and 13 production locations across the U.S., our vibrant culture and endless growth opportunities are just a couple of the reasons…