Head of Engineering & Maintenance - Lyophilisation

Job Title: Head of Engineering & Maintenance - Lyophilisation

Location: Waterford Ireland

Job Type: Permanent, Full-time

Working Arrangement: 5 Days On-Site

About the role

Reporting directly to the Head of Site Engineering & Maintenance and as a leader for Sanofi, you will play an integral role within the Lyophilisation Autonomous Production Unit management team, ensuring reliable supply of lyophilised vial products for our rare disease patients globally.

Ready to get started?

Join a global network that powers how Sanofi delivers — seamlessly, purposefully, and at scale. In Manufacturing & Supply, you’ll help reimagine how life-changing treatments reach people everywhere, faster.

About Sanofi

We’re an R&D-driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and delivering compelling growth. Our deep understanding of the immune system – and innovative pipeline – enables us to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world. Together, we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives.

Main responsibilities

Lead all assigned Lyophilisation engineering & maintenance activities to ensure that objectives are met across batch filling & Lyophilisation (Loading/unloading), batch turnaround time, batch release cycle time, annual shutdown planning, project/program implementation, CI plans, etc.

Ensure all activities are undertaken in compliance with cGMP (FDA 21 CFR Part 211, EU GMP Annex 1), Safety and Engineering Standards

Timely execution of maintenance strategy (Corrective, Preventative, Predictive Maintenance

Ensure compliance across maintenance KPIs (Work orders, PMs, MTBF/MTTR, permits, LOTO, etc)

Ensure equipment reliability strategy is deployed and sufficient for cGMP

Ensure all employees, for which they are responsible, are trained against SOPs and GMP requirements relevant to their job

Ensure procedures are correctly defined and followed

Monitor the level of GMP compliance in their area on an on-going basis through audit, deviations and GMP document reviews

Develop and improve the effectiveness of training on a regular basis

Develop and lead a continuous improvement program that will result in savings to COGs

Manage maintenance spend (Budget, headcount, parts, services)

About You

Essential requirements:

Higher level Degree in Third level Engineering qualification or equivalent

Significant experience as an Engineering & Maintenance Manager/ other Management role

Demonstrable experience of pharmaceutical manufacturing environment

Engineering & Maintenance standards applied across the life cycle asset management

Technical knowledge of relevant sterile filling and lyophilisation technology

Detailed knowledge of cGMP regulations

Good problem solving and analytical skills

Effective facilitator & Excellent interpersonal skills

Influences site KPI’s and drives area improvement

Full understanding of Health & Safety and legal requirements for the safe operation of the team

It would be advantageous to have (not essential):

Engineering & Maintenance technical expertise in sterile filling and lyophilisation

Engineering & Maintenance management experience in a pharmaceutical environment

Engineering & Maintenance proven track record in working in a highly regulated industry

Why choose us?

Shape the future of medicine and vaccine delivery with cutting-edge technology, ensuring seamless launches and a resilient global supply.

Transform lives worldwide by delivering life-changing treatments anywhere, anytime.

Grow, thrive, and make an impact in a workplace that empowers you to bring your best self every day, with pride.

Help deliver 30+ new product launches by 2030, ensuring patients get treatments faster than ever.

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