Data Governance expert

Job title - Data Governance expert

Location – Spain (Barcelona) or Netherlands (Maastricht or Delft)

The Data Governance Specialist will join the central Data & AI team and play a key part in bringing dsm-firmenich's data governance framework, data quality, data stewardship, and compliance to life - coordinating activities, supporting governance processes, and ensuring clear and consistent communication across business and data domains. They will work closely with the Director Data Operations & Governance and act as a connector between teams, help drive the delivery of data quality solutions and support the smooth operation of the Data Office — ensuring our governance model is effectively embedded across business domains.

A key aspect of this role is its integration with dsm-firmenich's ERP transformation initiatives. As part of the ERP Data Workstream, you will support the embedding of governance, stewardship, and quality accountabilities into ERP system design, legacy data migration, and ongoing ERP operations. This is a hands-on, collaborative role ideal for someone who thrives in a structured yet fast-evolving data environment, balancing coordination, communication, and execution excellence.

Your key responsibilities

Governance Operations & Coordination

• Support the definition and rollout and daily operations of data governance policies, standards, and processes balancing global consistency with business needs
• Support the development of frameworks for data quality, cataloguing, security, and compliance and coordinate its operationalization across the organization
• Facilitate the Data Governance Council and related working groups, ensuring documentation, action tracking, and communication of decisions.
• Serve as key connecting point between the Data Domains and the central Data Governance Teams, ensuring continuous progress, reporting and required support

Data Policy & standards Implementation

• Develop and maintain data policies and standards to ensure consistent, compliant, and effective data management across the organization
• Support the definition, documentation, and enforcement of data quality rules and KPIs in a federated stewardship model
• Drive the embedding of governance, quality, and security across the entire data lifecycle by defining concrete processes, targets and measures in line with the D&T operating model
• Guide technical teams on the delivery and monitoring of data quality solutions to ensure technical enablement of the target process

ERP Transformation Enablement

• Partner / participate in the ERP program teams to ensure data governance and quality are integrated into system design and operation.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Act as a liaison between the Data & AI team, Data Office, business platforms, ERP program, and data domain owners / data stewards
• Support the setup of data owner / data steward communities to drive the governance with the various data domains and stimulate x platform knowledge sharing
• Prepare dashboards, reports, and communication materials for data governance events and management updates.
• Facilitate alignment between data governance initiatives and business platform priorities.
• Drive required enablement of stakeholders from a content perspective in close alignment with the Communication & Change Team
• Conduct regular assessments of data governance maturity across data domains and recommend actionable improvements to elevate enterprise data management capabilities.
• Support in the preparation of the Data Council forums, participate in the data council and capture decisions taken, actions and ensure good communication to the relevant stakeholder (groups).

Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to improving governance templates, tools, and communication channels.
• Support awareness, training, and adoption activities across business functions.
• Proactively identify opportunities to simplify and enhance governance processes.

We offer

• A supportive environment where you're empowered to grow and share your ideas.
• An inclusive and multicultural team with respect for everyone
• A dynamic work environment with many challenges that give you the possibility to work autonomously and with a team in finding the right solutions.

You bring

Essential Experience & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in information management, Business, or related field.
• Structured, proactive, and collaborative - able to connect people, manage detail, and drive progress in a dynamic environment.
• Strong coordination and communication skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and manatripge multiple priorities.
• Comfortable using collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint).
• Strong knowledge of enterprise data management frameworks (DAMA-DMBOK or DCAM), with the ability to apply these principles to develop and mature data governance capabilities

Preferred

• Exposure to data governance or data quality tools is an advantage.
• 5+ years of experience in data management, governance, or ERP-related data roles.
• Familiarity with data management concepts and quality frameworks, cataloguing, metadata, and Data Management tools such as Informatica Data Management

About dsm-firmenich

At dsm-firmenich, we don't just meet expectations – we go beyond them.

From elevating health to making fortified food and sustainable skincare, the impact of your work here will be felt by millions – every single day. Whether it's fragrance that helps you focus, alternative meat that's better for the planet, or reducing sugar without losing flavor, this is where you help shape the future of nutrition, health, and beauty for everyone, everywhere.

And while you're making a difference, we'll make sure you're growing too. With learning that never stops, a culture that lifts you up and the freedom to move across businesses, teams, and borders. Your voice matters here. And your ideas? They're essential to our future. 

Because real progress only happens when we go beyond, together.

Our application process

Interested in this position? Please apply on-line by uploading your resume in English via our career portal.

Inclusion, belonging and equal opportunity statement

At dsm-firmenich, we believe being a force for good starts with the way we treat each other. When people feel supported, included, and free to be themselves, they do their best work – and that's exactly the kind of culture we're building. A place where opportunity is truly equal, authenticity is celebrated, and everyone has the chance to grow, contribute, and feel they belong.

We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we're serious about making our hiring process as fair and inclusive as possible. From inclusive language and diverse interview panels to thoughtful sourcing, we're committed to reflecting the world we serve.

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds — no matter your gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes you, you.

And if you have a disability or need any support through the application process, we're here to help – just let us know what you need, and we'll do everything we can to make it work.

Agency statement

We're managing this search directly at dsm-firmenich. If you're applying as an individual, we'd love to hear from you. We're not accepting agency submissions or proposals involving fees or commissions for this role.