About the Job 

This role is a critical and strategic Operational Excellence (OPEX) position that consolidates three key functions into a single, high-impact role: SMS Program Leadership, SMS Area Business Partnership, and Key Supplier Operational Leadership (KSOL).

As the SMS Program, Area and KSOL, you will be at the heart of the site's performance transformation agenda — driving the deployment of SMS 2.0, Factory 4.0 digital solutions, and continuous improvement initiatives while serving as the dedicated OPEX Business Partner for assigned departments and APU-PCUs. Simultaneously, you will lead the site's external spend optimization strategy by partnering with procurement and cross-functional teams to unlock supplier-driven value and improve total cost of ownership (TCO).

This role demands a unique combination of strategic vision and hands-on execution, requiring the ability to influence across all organizational levels — from shopfloor operations to senior leadership — while delivering measurable, sustainable results. You will be a key contributor to the site's SMS upskilling roadmap, operating standards development, and supplier excellence programs, making this position central to site's competitiveness and long-term transformation journey.

Main Responsibilities 

A.    SMS Program Leadership:

·       Driving performance & transformation initiatives (e.g., SMS 2.0 deployment, boosters, Factory 4.0 solutions, etc.)

·       Ensuring impact & sustainability of all initiatives

·       Contributing to the development of operating standards in close partnership with dedicated ecosystem leaders and supporting the M&S network (e.g., Maturity Assessment execution, SMS Trainer)

·       Managing the Site's SMS Upskilling roadmap

·       Tracking and reporting on saving pipeline in 3P

·       Monitoring milestone adherence for SMS Site roadmap

·       Driving SMS certification for site employees

·       Ensuring SMS Standards to manage performance are in place and in use on site

·       Monitoring Modernization Index

B.    SMS Area Business Partnership:

·       Acting as the OPEX representative (Business Partner) in Department / APU-PCU / Function

·       Supporting execution of performance initiatives including the Continuous Improvement project portfolio defined at APU-PCU level

·       Deploying operating standards as codified in the respective ecosystems

·       Leading problem solving sessions leveraging existing SMS tools such as GPS3

·       Serving as the OPEX method and training referent for assigned areas and supporting the M&S network (e.g., Maturity Assessment execution, SMS Trainer)

·       Identifying business topics for problem solving based on performance results

·       Defining the SMS upskilling plan for specific areas

·       Ensuring SMS Standards to manage performance are in place and in use for specific areas supported

C.    Key Supplier Operational Leadership (KSOL)

·       Filling and implementing the full external spend pipeline (BOM & Non-BOM) with initiatives jointly with procurement to support site targets

·       Leading ideation & prioritization in alignment with the site's performance target

·       Executing initiatives by coordinating all functions required at site (Regulatory, Quality, Production, Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, MSAT, SMS) through a TIP (Tactical Implementation Plan) approach

·       Improving site competitiveness (TCO) by leveraging supplier performance development and controlling indirect spend at all levels

·       Validating yearly savings with site finance (PPV + Indirect split across P&L bucket impacted)

·       Monitoring On-Time-In-Full Supplier performance according to SMS2.0 Flow and Supply interface Site/Supplier definition

·       Managing % of Claims to be recovered through procurement

·       Conducting Gemba walks at supplier sites and tracking improvement vs diagnostic targets

·       Ensuring training completion with associated project implementation

Key Roles (D,A,I)

·     Resource allocation for performance & transformation initiatives (A)

·     Digital budget (A)

·     Definition of execution approach (A)

·     Definition of expected savings (A)

·     Process confirmation on value realization (A)

·     Definition of Site's SMS Upskilling roadmap (D)

·     Annual upgrade of operating standards (A)

·     Identification of performance & improvement initiatives on the shopfloor (A)

·     Prioritization of the performance roadmap for specific area (A)

·     Identification of business topics for problem solving based on performance results (D)

·     Decision on external spend pipeline impacting site's performance (D)

·     Accountable for value delivered from supplier initiatives (A)

About You

·       Minimum 5 to 10 years of experience in a Pharma/Bio setting, preferably within Manufacturing & Supply

·       Proven track record in transformation and change management

·       Successful, multi-year track record of managing complex, cross-functional projects/programs with a problem-solving mindset

·       Experience in an environment connected with supplier topics would be a plus

·       Demonstrated experience in driving continuous improvement initiatives and delivering measurable results

EDUCATION

·         Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Operations Management, Supply Chain, or related technical field

·         SMS certification (Champion, Advanced, or Intermediate level) required or to be obtained within the first year

SOFT SKILLS

·       Strong leadership and influencing skills across all organizational levels

·       Excellent change management and transformation capabilities

·       Outstanding communication and stakeholder management abilities

·       Strategic thinking combined with a hands-on execution mindset

·       Cross-functional collaboration and team building expertise

·       Problem-solving and analytical mindset

·       Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

·       Strong coaching and mentoring capabilities

·       Good level of autonomy, ability to work with minimal supervision

·       Strong Project Management skills with ability to manage cross-departmental and cross-domain program or projects

TECHNICAL SKILLS

·       Deep knowledge of SMS operating standards (certification required) & main Operational

·       Excellence techniques (e.g., GPS3, Lean, Six Sigma, Agile, CI, etc.)

·       Strong understanding of finance P&L monitoring, BOI, GM, COGs, cash flow

·       Good understanding of data management & AI digital products embedded into SMS

·       operating standards (e.g., eOEE, FaCT, iOBeya, etc.)

·       Knowledge of supplier management, procurement processes, and TCO optimization

·       Experience with TIP (Tactical Implementation Plan) methodology

·       Proficiency in MS Office Suite and data analytics tools with strong analytical skills

·       Knowledge of key business & pharma processes

·       Strong digital tool awareness: applied experiences in SAP, statistical tool, Microsoft Power Platforms are advantageous

 

Why Choose Us? 

• Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future-focused team. 

• Discover endless opportunities to grow your talent and drive your career, whether it’s through a promotion or lateral move, at home or internationally. 

• Collaborate in a dynamic, fast-paced environment focused on continuous learning and professional development. 

• Drive process improvement and innovation in partnership with a motivated and supportive team. 

Pursue progress, discover extraordinary

Better is out there. Better medications, better outcomes, better science. But progress doesn’t happen without people – people from different backgrounds, in different locations, doing different roles, all united by one thing: a desire to make miracles happen. So, let’s be those people.

At Sanofi, we provide equal opportunities to all regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, ability or gender identity.

Watch our ALL IN video and check out our Diversity Equity and Inclusion actions at sanofi.com!