Sr Manager, QFS COE, Systems, Standards and Certifications

About The Job

The Systems, Standards and Certifications, Sr Manager leads the governance, deployment and continuous improvement of Quality & Food Safety systems, standards, certification programs and QFS artwork approval processes. The role connects regional business needs with global Quality & Food Safety teams, ensures internal and external requirements are translated into effective operating practices, and enables consistent execution across manufacturing plants, Quality in Design, sourcing, innovation and route-to-market activities.

The Systems, Standards and Certifications, Sr Manager leads the governance, deployment and continuous improvement of Quality & Food Safety systems, standards, certification programs and QFS artwork approval processes. The role connects regional business needs with global Quality & Food Safety teams, ensures internal and external requirements are translated into effective operating practices, and enables consistent execution across manufacturing plants, Quality in Design, sourcing, innovation and route-to-market activities.

This leader manages a team of managers and specialists and serves as the senior QFS point of contact for systems, standards, third-party certifications and QFS aspects of artwork and labeling. The role combines technical stewardship, cross-functional leadership, capability building, performance management and process improvement to support compliant, efficient product delivery.

As a key member of our team, you will play an important role in driving our mission forward. The following responsibilities outline the core expectations and contributions for this position

QFS systems and standards governance

• Act as the primary regional point of contact for QFS systems and standards, partnering with global Food Safety, Quality and standards teams.
• Provide US and Canada expertise, business input and operational insight to support the design and ongoing improvement of QFS systems and standards.
• Serve as the accountable custodian and gatekeeper for implementation of applicable Danone QFS Standards and Requirements across categories and business activities.
• Provide governance for the deployment of new and existing QFS systems and standards across manufacturing plants, Quality in Design, sourcing and route-to-market activities.
• Develop business impact assessments, implementation plans, resource requirements and clear recommendations for new or revised systems and standards.
• Coordinate communication, education and training so category and site teams can effectively cascade, implement and sustain requirements.
• Promote standardization, simplify ways of working and identify synergies through a continuous improvement mindset.
• Drive execution of Culture of Quality roadmap in partnership with Global, regional and local teams

• Lead QFS third-party certification programs and qualification processes for products and manufacturing locations in the United States and Canada.
• Serve as the key QFS decision point for certification matters and represent the company with certifying bodies, as appropriate.
• Ensure certification requirements are translated into effective processes, documentation, testing, verification and records.
• Lead material or finished-product compliance activities required by certification programs, including analysis and reporting of results in partnership with Regulatory and manufacturing teams.
• Act as a subject matter expert and primary resource for manufacturing plants on certification requirements and related QFS expectations.
• Maintain awareness of relevant regulatory and certifying-agency requirements that affect assigned certification, labeling and artwork responsibilities.

• Lead the QFS graphic and artwork approval process across the manufacturing network and product portfolio in the United States and Canada.
• Represent QFS on certification, artwork and labeling projects, including new product launches, label changes, plant trials and formulation or material changes.
• Ensure QFS review and approval activities meet internal requirements and applicable external obligations.
• Pr…