Head of SMS Program

About the Job

Sanofi Manufacturing and Supply organization is preparing its future through an ambitious program named Modulus. The Modulus Project is at the cornerstone of Sanofi's strategy, creating a new generation of evolutive, multi-product manufacturing facilities that are modular, adaptable and agile, leveraging disruptive technologies to better address vaccine and Specialty Care Biologics manufacturing needs.

As the Head of SMS Program, you will lead the deployment, governance and continuous evolution of the Sanofi Manufacturing System (SMS) across the site. You will be responsible for driving operational excellence, enabling sustainable performance improvements, embedding standardized operating practices, and strengthening continuous improvement capabilities while partnering closely with Site Leadership, Global SMS teams and cross-functional stakeholders.

As a Head of SMS Program, you will be:

Driving site performance and transformation

• Lead the deployment and continuous evolution of the Sanofi Manufacturing System (SMS 2.0) across the site.
• Drive performance transformation initiatives including SMS deployment, performance boosters, continuous improvement programs and Factory 4.0 solutions.
• Identify operational performance gaps through benchmarking, maturity assessments and data-driven analysis, translating insights into improvement opportunities.
• Ensure performance initiatives deliver measurable business impact across Quality, Delivery, Cost, Safety and People objectives.
• Lead change management activities to embed sustainable operational excellence practices across the organization.

Ensuring impact and sustainability

• Establish governance to monitor initiative progress, benefits realization and long-term sustainability.
• Drive value realization by partnering with Finance, Operations and Procurement to validate and capture savings generated through transformation initiatives.
• Monitor performance indicators and proactively identify risks requiring corrective actions.
• Ensure continuous improvement initiatives are standardized, sustained and replicated where applicable across the manufacturing organization.

Developing SMS operating standards and capabilities

• Partner closely with Global SMS ecosystem leaders to develop, deploy and continuously improve SMS operating standards.
• Support Manufacturing & Supply network initiatives including SMS Maturity Assessments, SMS Trainer activities and cross-site knowledge sharing.
• Lead the site's SMS capability building strategy by developing structured upskilling roadmaps and continuous learning programs.
• Foster a culture of operational excellence through coaching, mentoring and capability development at all organizational levels.

Leading governance and decision making

• Manage resource allocation for performance and transformation initiatives.
• Oversee the site digital budget supporting SMS deployment and Factory 4.0 initiatives.
• Define execution approaches for operational excellence programs and transformation initiatives.
• Establish expected value creation targets and confirm realization of business benefits.
• Lead the development of the site's SMS capability roadmap.
• Drive periodic reviews and annual upgrades of SMS operating standards in partnership with Global Manufacturing & Supply teams.

About You

Experience

• Minimum 8 years of experience leading Operational Excellence, Lean, Six Sigma or Continuous Improvement programs within the pharmaceutical or other highly regulated manufacturing industries.
• Proven experience leading enterprise transformation and change management initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience deploying manufacturing operating systems and driving sustainable operational performance improvements.
• Experience working within cGMP regulated manufacturing environments.

Technical & Functional Skills

• Strong knowledge of Sanofi Manufacturing System (SMS) operating standards and SMS certification framework preferred.
• Expertise in Operational Excellence methodologies including Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Agile and Continuous Improvement.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing financial performance including Profit & Loss, Gross Margin, Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), Business Operating Income (BOI), cash flow and project portfolio management.
• Knowledge of performance management methodologies and tools including 3P and Shine.
• Good understanding of data management and digital products supporting SMS operating standards, including eOEE, FaCT, iObeya and related digital manufacturing solutions.
• Knowledge of Manufacturing 4.0 concepts including integrated manufacturing systems, MES, SAP, DeltaV, Historian, LIMS and paperless manufacturing.
• Knowledge and practical application of AI and Generative AI solutions within manufacturing or operational excellence.
• Strong project management, stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Good understanding of cGMP requirements and pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.