Specification Management Leader
.Lead global standards for infant formula, shaping quality, safety and compliance from raw materials to finished products, at scale, with real impact.
Yes, I want to apply!
Are you ready for a new step in your career?
Mead Johnson Nutrition is a long-standing multinational brand specializing in infant and child nutrition. Our company vision is to become the world's leading provider of scientifically backed child nutrition and specialized food products and services. At Mead Johnson Nutrition, we are deeply committed to creating nutritional brands and products that give babies and children the best start in life. With over 450 employees, our Nijmegen factory produces super-premium child nutrition for the largest market in the world, Greater China. Quality, reliability, innovation, and ethics are core values at Mead Johnson.
Our R&D department is looking for a Specification Management Leader. In this role, you will lead and take ownership of the standards framework across our infant formula portfolio, covering the full value chain from raw materials through to finished products and labeling. You will play a key role in safeguarding product quality, regulatory compliance, and consumer safety by ensuring that standards are robust, aligned with global regulations, and consistently applied across the group.
What you will do
Standards Development & Governance
Develop, revise, and publish quality standards, testing standards, acceptance criteria, and technical specifications for all raw materials, semi‑finished products, and finished goods.
Align with internal cross‑functional teams and external suppliers to ensure full consensus on standards.
Support Quality in building and optimizing the standards management system, including process design and digital system implementation.
Regulatory & Compliance Monitoring
Partner with Regulatory Affairs to continuously track global and local regulatory updates (e.g., China NMPA, U.S. FDA, EU EFSA), pharmacopeial standards (e.g., ChP, USP), industry guidelines, and scientific advancements.
Ensure all internal standards remain compliant, forward‑looking, and scientifically robust.
Standards Documentation Management
Manage the controlled lifecycle of standards-related documents, including issuance, distribution, version control, archiving, and obsolescence of quality standards, specifications, and technical files.
Raw Material & Product Lifecycle Management
Oversee change management for raw materials, including supplier changes, process modifications, and specification updates.
Evaluate, approve, and implement changes based on material and product quality stability.
Support for Formula Registration & R&D
Work closely with R&D on new infant formula development, formula upgrades, and process optimization by providing standard boundaries and compliance guidance.
Support product registration, re-registration, and change submissions through preparation of standards, internal specifications, and technical documents.
Standards Training & Capability Building
Provide standards-related training to Procurement, R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Marketing, and other relevant teams.
Strengthen organizational awareness and execution capabilities regarding standards and compliance.
Who are you?
Bachelor’s degree or above in Food Science & Engineering, Dairy Science, Nutrition, Biotechnology, Pharmacy, or related disciplines.
8+ years of experience in the infant formula industry across standards management, quality systems, regulatory registration, or R&D quality functions.
Expert knowledge of national standards and regulations related to infant formula, including full proficiency in interpreting and applying GB standards and relevant regulatory requirements.
Strong expertise in end‑to‑end standards development, covering raw material standards, product specifications, and acceptance criteria.
Solid understanding of manufacturing and quality management systems
Proven capability in supporting R&D and regulatory registration
Leadership & Management Skills: Demonstrated team management experience, strong cross‑functional coordination ability, and effective communication and conflict‑resolution skills.
What do we offer?
An inspiring and innovative work environment where you can develop your career and sharpen your skills in a dedicated and professional team. A fulltime contract with excellent working conditions and a competitive salary (incl. holiday allowance) of €82.700,- till €118.000,- , depending on knowledge and experience. Mead Johnson has a 40-hour working week with 25 vacation day.. We also offer you a good pension plan, bonus plan, collective health insurance and opportunities for professional development.
Will you take the next step?
Then please send us your cover letter and resume now! This can be done very easily via the 'Yes, I want to apply' button. For more information about the position, you can contact us via email [email protected].
Applying for a VOG may be part of the recruitment process.
Department
R&D
Locations
Mead Johnson Nijmegen
Remote status
Hybrid