Operational Excellence Leader, R&D

Job Title: Operational Excellence Leader

• Location: Morristown, NJ

About the Job

Sanofi R&D is undergoing a significant transformation to accelerate innovation, increase productivity, and deliver breakthrough medicines to patients faster. To enable this ambition, Sanofi is establishing R&D Transformation, a new organization strategic modernization team within R&D Operations, designed to drive enterprise-level changes through disciplined execution, operational excellence, and sustainable value realization.

R&D Transformation acts as a catalyst for change across the R&D organization, bridging strategic priorities with operational execution to ensure rapid adoption and lasting impact. Led by the Global Head of R&D Transformation, the organization is structured around three core pillars:

• Execution of strategic modernization initiatives: Translating R&D strategic priorities endorsed by the R&D Leadership Team into actionable, end-to-end execution plans, ensuring speed, coherence, and seamless integration into business as usual.

• Operational excellence: Designing, simplifying, and continuously improving high-impact R&D processes to maximize productivity, reduce complexity, and enable organizational agility.

• Post-merger integration: Leading R&D-wide integration efforts to unlock scientific, cultural, and organizational value from M&A transactions.

The R&D Operational Excellence Leader is a key member of the R&D Operations Transformation team, serving as a trusted advisor to optimize end-to-end functionality across the value chain. This role focuses on partnering with R&D stakeholders to identify, design, and deliver high-impact performance solutions that drive organizational effectiveness and productivity. Success in this role means enabling R&D Functions to achieve process excellence through strategic advisory support and expert guidance on priority initiatives.

As an R&D Operational Excellence Leader, you will serve as a strategic partner and change catalysts, advising R&D functions on performance improvement opportunities and guiding the selection and execution of optimal deployment approaches (i.e., booster, digital, end-to-end). You will design tailored solutions, manage multiple client engagements simultaneously, and deliver measurable, sustainable results that match stakeholder expectations.

Join the engine of Sanofi’s mission where deep immunosenescent meets bold, AI-powered research. In R&D, you’ll drive breakthroughs that could turn the impossible into possible for millions.

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

Solution Design & Delivery:

• Facilitate cross-functional workshops with R&D Functions and stakeholders to map, streamline, and standardize processes, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities

• Develop comprehensive project plans, deliverables, and success metrics for each consulting engagement

• Design and implement change management strategies that ensure stakeholder buy-in and sustainable adoption

• Provide expert guidance on digital/IA solution selection, deployment, and optimization to maximize value realization

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication:

• Communicate effectively across all organizational levels, translating complex concepts into actionable insights for diverse audiences

• Facilitate alignment of improvement initiatives with R&D strategic priorities through structured stakeholder engagement

• Present findings, recommendations, and progress updates to senior leadership and steering committees

• Navigate matrix organizations to influence decision-making and drive consensus among diverse stakeholder groups

Performance Monitoring & Value Realization:

• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure operational efficiency and demonstrate consulting impact

• Monitor engagement progress, proactively identify and remove roadblocks, and challenge teams to achieve breakthrough results

• Conduct post-implementation reviews to validate value delivery and identify continuous improvement opportunities

• Document lessons learned and best practices to enhance consulting methodologies and organizational knowledge

Knowledge Transfer & Capability Building:

• Coach and mentor R&D staff on lean methodologies, process improvement techniques, and change management best practices

• Design and deliver training programs that build internal capability and reinforce sustainable change

• Develop and continuously optimize standards, playbooks, and toolkits based on engagement insights and client feedback

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement through knowledge sharing and capability development

About You

Basic Qualifications

You will gain exposure to enterprise-level transformation topics and contribute directly to shaping the execution and realization of Sanofi R&D's strategic priorities. You will operate with independence, executive maturity, and strong analytical rigor, balancing objective challenges with collaborative partnership to drive sustainable change.

Experience:

• Experience: 10+ years in operational excellence consulting, internal consulting, or advisory roles, preferably within pharmaceutical or biotechnology R&D environment

• Stakeholder Management: Proven track record of managing multiple stakeholder engagements simultaneously and delivering measurable results

• Project Delivery: Demonstrated success leading end-to-end projects from diagnostic through implementation and value realization

• Change Leadership: Strong exposure to change management methodologies, stakeholder engagement strategies, and digital transformation initiatives

• Industry Expertise: Deep understanding of pharmaceutical R&D operations, regulatory environments, and industry best practices

Soft Skills:

• Consulting Mindset: Client-focused approach with strong business acumen and ability to balance strategic thinking with pragmatic execution

• Stakeholder Management: Exceptional ability to build trusted advisor relationships, influence without authority in matrix organizations, and navigate complex political landscapes

• Adaptability & Agility: High degree of flexibility to work across multiple projects, adjust to changing priorities, and thrive in ambiguous environments

• Leadership & Influence: Capacity to drive initiatives and decision-making, shape vision, challenge status quo with innovation and pragmatism, and inspire trust

• Coaching & Development: Strong mentoring abilities with capacity to develop people, provide structured feedback, and build organizational capability

• Autonomy & Initiative: Self-directed with ability to take calculated risks, anticipate potential issues, and drive results with minimal supervision

Technical Skills:

• Methodology Expertise: Deep knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, and other process improvement methodologies (FIT4Future); ability to select and adapt approaches based on client context

• Functional Knowledge: Excellent understanding of R&D processes, value chains, and operational dynamics

• Analytical Capabilities: Superior analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to synthesize complex data into actionable insights

• Financial Acumen: Solid financial analysis and management accounting knowledge to quantify business cases and demonstrate ROI

• Solution Design: Proven ability to design tailored solutions that address root causes and deliver sustainable impact

Education:

• Bachelor's degree is required. Master's degree in a scientific field, engineering, business administration, or related discipline; MBA or advanced degree a plus

Languages:

• English (fluent)

Desired Skills:

• Familiarity with R&D processes and regulatory requirements in the pharmaceutical industry

• Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, advanced Excel)

• Certification in Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt or Black Belt)

• Experience with digital transformation and AI/automation solution deployment

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.

• Be part of a pioneering biopharma company that engages patients early in drug development and uses their insights to design studies that reflect real-world needs.

• Help improve the lives of millions of people globally by making drug development quicker and more effective.

• Work at the forefront of drug discovery, harnessing cutting-edge AI, data, and digital platforms to push the boundaries of science.

Sanofi Inc. and its U.S. affiliates are Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employers committed to a culturally diverse 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.