Director US Positive Impact Operations

About the role

Danone is seeking a transformational leader to drive its US Positive Impact Operations agenda across manufacturing and supply chain operations. The role focuses on improving raw material efficiency, reducing waste, optimizing resource consumption, and embedding sustainable operating practices across the manufacturing network. The successful candidate will combine deep manufacturing credibility with a passion for people development, change leadership, and sustainability.

Working closely with plant teams, supply chain leaders, and operations leadership, this role champions initiatives that deliver measurable business value while advancing Danone's ambition to create health through food for people and the planet.

Responsibilities

• Drive raw material loss and yield excellence: Own and execute Danone US's raw material loss reduction strategy across manufacturing sites.
• Lead root cause analysis, yield optimization, waste reduction, and process improvement initiatives that improve operational performance and reduce environmental impact.
• Establish KPI frameworks and governance processes to monitor material losses, product yield, waste streams, and resource efficiency.
• Collaborate with global stakeholders to identify and scale best practices across plants for sustainable performance improvements.
• Lead factory engagement and capability building: Partner with plant leadership teams, coaching and influencing frontline teams to adopt loss reduction and operational excellence practices.
• Design and deploy training, capability-building, and change management programs that strengthen ownership and accountability at site level.
• Develop practical tools, including visual management systems, standard work, operating playbooks, and performance dashboards.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement rooted in Danone's values and manufacturing.

Key facts

• The role drives Danone's US Positive Impact Operations agenda across manufacturing and supply chain operations.
• Responsibilities include raw material loss reduction, yield optimization, waste reduction, and process improvement.
• The role includes coaching plant teams and deploying training, capability-building, and change management programs.