Manager, R&I Portfolio & Activity Management at Danone North America in Louisville, Kentucky

Job Description:

About the job

About the Job:

The Manager - R&I Portfolio & Activity Management is responsible to manage, maintain and report on the NORAM R&I projects portfolio, keep close track of the business' key innovation pipelines and provide clear analysis of how the portfolio aligns up towards our strategic goals. In your role you will provide key portfolio and performance information to R&I leadership teams and help prepare for prioritization and resourcing decisions with detailed analysis of the portfolio data, supporting ad-hoc requests and in preparation for quarterly business reviews. Your insights will drive the business to make better decisions and support the company to achieve on its sustainable and profitable growth ambition.

In your role you will work closely with Marketing, Project Management Office and Finance functions, at regional and global Danone level, to ensure the latest project, resourcing and financial data are maintained in the company's portfolio management system (UDRIVE) and perform regular reviews to ensure data entries are compliant with set portfolio definitions and reporting requirements. Working within a structured stage-gate innovation process (GOOSE) you will monitor project progression, resource allocation and financial thresholds adherence to ensure all projects are meeting launch criteria set to support our operational excellence and 'fewer, bigger, better' project goals.

On top of maintaining the NORAM R&I projects portfolio, you will play a key role in realizing our longer-term innovation objectives by keeping track of technology roadmaps that are developed outside the local teams through open innovation partnerships and with the central Danone Research Centers. Last, but not least, you will help control the R&I department budget and support the R&I leadership team by maintaining team activity and prioritization dashboards.

The Manager - R&I Portfolio & Activity Management role is part of the R&I Business Process, Specs and Governance team and reports into the Sr. Manager - Portfolio, Business Process & Governance.

Main Responsibilities:

• Provide periodic and ad-hoc portfolio analysis to animate innovation performance, drive resourcing and prioritization decision making with leadership teams.


• Maintain Portfolio Data management systems (Udrive/Usmart) to ensure timely, complete and accurate reporting of innovation portfolio (ie pipeline slides, key financials) data is available.

• Ensure accurate resource (time) tracking data is maintained and report progress on key projects and strategic R&I initiatives.


• Collaborate with Global teams to ensure technology roadmaps are maintained in alignment with R&I innovation strategies

• Partner with PMO to ensure correct and consistent application of GOOSE process across NORAM teams is maintained.


• Support monthly budget reporting process and analysis with Financial Planning & Analysis team

• Support annual tax credit process with Tax team and external consultants


• Coordinate the collection of new Product Launch sheets / One Pagers etc..

The base compensation range for this position is $75,000-99,000. 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.

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About you

About You:

Requirements / Qualifications

• Bachelor or master's degree in a relevant field of study such as Business Administration, Economics or Food Science.


• 2-3 years of relevant work experience in finance, consultancy or similar


• Self-starter, pragmatic problem solver and can work under minimal supervision.


• Enjoy challenging the status quo and are comfortable working in a dynamic, ambiguous, and fast changing environment.


• Attention to detail and your organization, time- and data management skills are unquestionable


• Experience in MS Office, in particular mastery of Excel and Powerpoint

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About us

About Us:

At Danone North America, you'll work with some of the best-known food and beverage brands in the world like Activia, Silk, Horizon Organic, Two Good, Oikos, evian, and Happy Family. You'll be part of the largest Certified B Corp in the world, working together to make sure our brands create real benefits for people, communities, and the planet. We have 6,000+ employees across the U.S. and Canada. Come join our movement for a healthier world: One Planet. One Health BY YOU.

Danone North America doesn't just welcome what makes you unique, we value it. We're proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All hires to our team are based on qualifications, merit and business needs. We recruit, employ, train and promote regardless of race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, genetic characteristic or any other protected status. Faithful to our values of openness and humanism, all of our employees share in the commitment to engage one another with dignity and respect. http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/OFCCP_EEO_Supplement_Final_JRF_QA_508c.pdf

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