Head of Drug Product MSAT Synthetics Platform

Descriptif de poste mentionné en anglais compte tenu des dimensions globales

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

About the job

Sanofi Global MSAT (Manufacturing Sciences, Analytics, and Technology) serves as the critical bridge between R&D and Manufacturing, ensuring supply continuity and enabling the successful launch of high-quality, innovative medicines. Global MSAT drives technical excellence across lifecycle management, process robustness, and performance optimization across Sanofi’s manufacturing network.  

Position Overview  

The Head of Drug Product – MSAT Synthetics Platform is a senior leadership role reporting to the Head of the Synthetics Platform.  

The role provides strategic, technical, and operational leadership for all Drug Product (DP) activities, including:  

Formulation & Process Development  

Engineering & Maintenance (DP-related systems and equipment)  

Quality & Compliance (DP scope)  

The incumbent will lead a multidisciplinary organization based in Ambarès, France, supporting a portfolio spanning late-stage development, launch readiness, and commercial products across the GenMed GBU.  

This role is accountable for end-to-end Drug Product performance within MSAT scope, from development through commercial manufacturing, across Sanofi’s internal sites and external partners.  

Main Responsibilities  

Organizational Leadership & Team Development  

Lead, develop, and inspire a multidisciplinary Drug Product organization, fostering a high-performance, accountable, and collaborative culture  

Establish and inspire a cross - site skill area network

Define the organizational model, capabilities, and ways of working required to deliver on current and future portfolio needs.  

Provide technical leadership and mentorship to a diverse team with expertise in pharmaceutical formulation, process development, scale-up, and manufacturing support for synthetics drug products.  

Build and sustain strong leadership within the team, ensuring succession planning and talent pipeline development  

Contribute to the Synthetics Platform's effectiveness through active participation in Global MSAT, M&S GenMed, R&D CMC Development, Industrial Product Teams, and Drug Product Manufacturing Site governance forums

Drug Product Innovation & Lifecycle Management  

Define and execute the global DP strategy for the synthetic product portfolio across launch, and commercialization   

Ensure robust, compliant, and efficient formulation and process development for OSD, semi-solids, liquids, and emerging formats   

Drive platformization, standardization, and harmonization of DP processes, formulations, and control strategies across the network   

Lead lifecycle management (LCM), including post-approval changes, cost optimization, and process improvements   

Ensure all DP activities meet global regulatory expectations (ICH, FDA, EMA, etc.)  

Commercial Manufacturing Support  

  Provide end-to-end oversight of technology transfer, validation, and commercial manufacturing support for DP processes   

Ensure robust control strategies for Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs) and process performance across the lifecycle   

Lead complex troubleshooting, root cause investigations, and technical decision-making at product and network level   

Drive continuous improvement in yield, reliability, compliance, and cost efficiency    

Ensure strong integration with MSAT transversal teams, sites, and CMOs  

Innovation & Digital Transformation  

  Drive innovation in formulation science, process technologies, and manufacturing approaches , including:   Continuous Manufacturing, Advanced Characterization , Process Analytical Technology (PAT)  

Lead implementation of digital solutions for DP development and manufacturing:   Data-driven process monitoring, Digital twins / modeling (where applicable), d ata integrity and analytics frameworks  

Build external partnerships (academia, industry) to strengthen scientific and technological leadership  

Strategic Leadership & Vision  

  Define and articulate a clear vision and ambition for Drug Product within the Synthetics Platform   

Influence enterprise-level decisions as a trusted technical and business leader    

Contribute to the broader MSAT and M&S strategy , including operating model evolution   

Drive cross-functional alignment across R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, and Digital   

Champion change management and transformation in a complex, global environment  

Key Challenges  

Managing a complex and multidisciplinary DP organization in a transforming operating model  

Driving harmonization and standardization across legacy processes and sites  

Delivering innovation within resource and regulatory constraints  

Leading through significant organizational and cultural change  

Navigating a highly matrixed stakeholder environment  

About You  

Basic Qualifications  

  Ph.D. or advanced degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or related field  

~12+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including senior leadership roles  

Strong expertise in drug product development and manufacturing (formulation, process development, scale-up, validation)   

Deep knowledge of CMC, GMP, and global regulatory frameworks (ICH, FDA, EMA)  

Proven experience with regulatory submissions and health authority interactions  

Demonstrated ability to lead in a complex, global matrix organization  

Preferred Qualifications  

Experience managing broad and complex small molecule drug product portfolios    

Strong track record in commercial manufacturing support and lifecycle management    

Experience in digital transformation and advanced manufacturing technologies    

Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional CMC/LCM teams    

Exposure to continuous manufacturing, PAT, and data science applications    

Strong external network within the pharmaceutical and scientific community  

Leadership Profile  

Strategic & Visionary  - Translates scientific and business trends into actionable strategies

Results-Oriented - Drives execution with accountability and measurable impact

Influential Leader  - Aligns stakeholders across complex environments

Collaborative - Enables cross-functional and cross-site success

Decisive  - Makes sound decisions in uncertain environments

Strategic  - Translates key business trends and scientific developments into clear, actionable plans

Continuous Improvement Mindset  - Embeds operational excellence and innovation

People Developer  - Builds strong teams and future leaders