mRNA CoE Operational Excellence Leader - Vaccines

Job title: mRNA CoE Operational Excellence Leader - Vaccines

Location: Waltham, MA

About the job

As Function OE Leader within our Vaccine mRNA team you’ll take ownership on improvement & performance initiatives. Ready to get started?

About the job:

Join the team protecting half a billion lives every year with next-gen science, mRNA innovation, and AI-driven breakthroughs. In Vaccines, you’ll help advance prevention on a global scale - and shape the future of immunization. 

The Function OE Leader is responsible for supporting the deployment of the

VRD Excellence Model (VRD EM) within their assigned function, in alignment

with the global OE strategy. This role empowers operational teams to take

ownership on improvement & performance initiatives by providing coaching,

training, and methodological support. The Function OE Leader fosters an

impact - driven and improvement - oriented culture by enabling teams to apply

OE principles, tools, and routines effectively to achieve function ambitions.

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:

1) Operational Excellence Deployment within the function

• Conduct diagnostics and/or gap analyses (business case) with operational teams to identifyimprovement opportunities.

• Propose the most appropriate methodology for each improvement initiative within the function .

• Ensure that each improvement initiative within the function complies with the core principles ofOperational Excellence.

• Support or l ead improvement initiatives within the function when specific OE competencies arerequired

• Proactively support function performance and measure the impact of the initiative

• Guarantee the practical problem - solving (standard improvement) process and ensureconsistency in the implementation of improvement ideas.

• Monitor and report progress of OE activities (improvement initiatives, level 2 practical problem-solving, and improvement ideas) to the Head of Function OE.

• Ensure sustainability of improvements by integrating them into function performancemanagement routines.

• Identify impacts, define change strategy, check the gaps for efficient adoption , etc

2) Capability Building within the function

• Identify individual OE development needs required to implement the function improvementinitiatives. Build the training plan in alignment with the function’s Operational Excellence roadmap improvement priorities.

• Deliver OE training and coaching to improvement initiative leaders and members based on thedefined training plan

• Conduct skill assessment and validation for initiative leaders.

• Promote feedback culture and continuous learning mindset.

• Ensure adoption and application of OE standards, routines, and methodologies.

3) Cross - functional Collaboration

• Participate in transversal and cross - functional initiatives impacting the function.

• Share best practices and contribute to harmonization of OE efforts across functions.

• Contribute to the OE community by promoting the replication of effective approaches.

4) Knowledge Management

• Perform return - on - experience process and support capitalization efforts from past initiatives.

• Identify, document, and share lessons learned and successful practices.

Expected key impacts:

• Improved Function performance through better use of OE levers by operational teams.

• Enhanced OE capabilities by developing operational teams’ skills in OE methodologies, tools and standards core principles,

• Stronger adoption of OE culture driven by active involvement of operational teams in improvementefforts.

• Sustainable change enabled by teams becoming autonomous in applying OE principles.

Job Complexity (main elements defining the complexity of the job):

• Matrix Collaboration: Operate as change agent and business partner influence without direct authoritywithin a matrix organization,

• Cultural & Behavioral Change: continuous improvement is still maturing.

• Drives mindset shifts and OE adoption in environments where

• Stakeholder Management: Engages a wide range of stakeholders—from shopfloor to leadership—each with differing expectations, levels of engagement, and resistance to change.

• Sustainability of Impact: Ensures OE initiatives are not one- offs but integrated into business routines, with long - term adoption and measurable performance impact.

About You:

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree (e.g., Engineering, Life Sciences, Business or relevant field), with at least 5 years of experience in Operational Excellence

Basic Qualifications:

• Operational excellence, agile and Lean methodologies experiences. 

• Experience working in a matrix and cross-functional environment. 

• Workshop animation: Skill in leading interactive and structured workshops to co-build solutions with teams. 

• Project management: Ability to plan and execute projects , including risk mitigation, timeline tracking, and stakeholder alignment. (finance management, resource management, business case…). 

• Problem solving: Strong root cause analysis and structured problem-resolution capabilities. 

Desirable Qualifications:

• Change management: Familiar with change models and techniques to foster adoption and engagement. 

• Training & coaching: Competency in educational training design, storytelling, and facilitation techniques to transfer knowledge and inspire teams. 

• Data analysis: Proficient in analyzing performance data to inform decisions and monitor impact. 

• Ability to bridge digital innovation with operational excellence.

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. 

• Enjoy a thoughtful, well-crafted rewards package that recognizes your contribution and amplifies your impact. 

• Take good care of yourself and your family, with a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits including high-quality healthcare, prevention and wellness programs and at least 14 weeks’ gender-neutral parental leave. 

Sanofi US Services and its U.S. affiliates are Equal Opportunity employers committed to a culturally inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.

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All compensation will be determined commensurate with demonstrated experience. Employees may be eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs, and additional benefits information can be found here.