Head of Drug Product MSAT Synthetics Platform

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), data 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