Area Engineering & Maintenance Manager

Job Title: Area Engineering & Maintenance Manager

• ​Location: Waterford, Ireland
• Job Type: Regular, Full-Time

About the job

Reporting to the Engineering Manager, you will play an integral role within the Product Supply Unit’s team, ensuring reliable supply of syringe and vial products to our patients globally.

The Product Supply APU consists of multiple platforms for the PFS inspection, assembly, labelling, cartoning, of autoinjectors and prefilled syringes and vials. The platforms range from manual processes through to high-speed, high volume automated production lines.

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.

Main Responsibilities:

Leadership & Team Management

• Provide first-line leadership and supervision to shift-based operation teams across the Lyophilised Vial Semi-Automated Visual Inspection and Pre-Filled Syringe Manual Visual Inspection lines
• Lead, coach, and develop operators, fostering a high-performing and engaged team culture
• Plan and manage shift resourcing, attendance, and rostering to ensure adequate coverage across the inspection area
• Deliver operator training and ensure ongoing competency across visual inspection techniques and standards

Production & Operational Leadership

• Lead the safe, compliant, and efficient day-to-day operation of the inspection work centers
• Manage production schedules and priorities for the inspection area in coordination with wider Product Supply planning
• Drive achievement of area KPIs including output, right-first-time, quality, and OEE/efficiency targets
• Ensure effective changeovers and line set-up between batches/products within the inspection area

Quality, Compliance & Safety

• Ensure all inspection activities are performed in full compliance with cGMP and HSE regulations
• Uphold and reinforce a strong safety culture within the team, ensuring adherence to site safety standards
• Own and maintain visual inspection standards, ensuring operators are qualified and calibrated to defect libraries
• Support and lead investigations into inspection-related deviations, non-conformances, and quality events
• Ensure data integrity across inspection records, batch documentation, and electronic systems

Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving

• Apply systematic problem-solving methodologies to address recurring inspection issues, defects, or downtime
• Drive operational excellence initiatives specific to the inspection area, including lean/Opex tools
• Champion digital adoption within the inspection area (e.g., digital inspection tools, Quanta shop-floor systems)
• Identify and implement improvement opportunities to enhance inspection line performance and reduce false rejects

Collaboration & Communication

• Act as the key point of contact for the inspection area, liaising with Quality, Engineering & Maintenance, Automation, and Supply Chain teams
• Communicate performance, issues, and priorities clearly across shifts and to senior Product Supply leadership
• Support cross-functional projects and technology transfers impacting the inspection lines

About you

• Experience in a highly regulated GMP environment.
• Degree in an Engineering discipline.
• Strong problem solving and communication skills.
• Strong documentation/protocol generation and execution skills.
• Automation experience is desirable.

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.