Head of Smart Factory – Operational Excellence & Smart Factory

Job Title: Head of Smart Factory – Operational Excellence & Smart Factory

• Location: Geel, Belgium

• Hiring Manager: Ian Doijen – Head of Operational Excellence & Smart Factory

About the job

Sanofi is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies with 80,000+ employees across 100+ countries, specializing in diabetes solutions, vaccines, innovative medicines, and rare diseases.

The Sanofi Geel production site is a multiproduct manufacturing site for therapeutic enzyme and monoclonal antibody production. Our 800+ dedicated professionals operate state-of-the-art bioreactors and purification systems, combining advanced biotechnology with smart manufacturing innovations to deliver life-changing treatments.

In this context, the role of Head of Smart Factory is essential to drive the digital transformation and modernisation of the site, with the goal of improving efficiency, competitiveness and operational excellence.

The Head of Smart Factory reports directly to the Head of Operational Excellence & Smart Factory. They join a team composed of SMS leaders and digital specialist assigned to the various sectors of the factory.

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:

• Build, develop and maintain the Site Digital Roadmap:

  • Work in collaboration with digital teams, global functions, and site departments to define a prioritised portfolio of digital projects aimed at ensuring performance, business continuity and modernization; including core models, Smart Factory solutions, and local applications.

  • Define and manage the associated digital budget (Capex/Opex), and lead the related global processes and systems (e.g., Strat plan & budget cycles, business case preparation/approval, digital project portfolio, etc.)

• Lead the implementation of 'Smart Factory' digital projects (both global/local solutions, Next Gen Models, Data foundation, centralization and contextualization, Artificial Intelligence, etc...):

  • Defining the execution approach and master plan in alignment with key stakeholders

  • Securing funding (e.g., Capex/Opex) and building the project team to ensure capacity and competencies (e.g., Project Manager, BSO, SMEs, etc.)

  • Collaborating with Business and OpEx teams with key focus on value, performance and adoption

  • Monitoring execution, schedule adherence, and escalating through appropriate governance

  • Ensuring proper setup, utilisation, and formal handover to operations

  • Providing first-line support during operations

• Ensure Master Data accuracy:

  • Driving standard governance to assess Master Data accuracy and AI data readiness

  • Collaborating with the Data & Process Owner in line with the standard data organisation

• Pursue innovation:

  • Drive digital exploration and innovation without overextending but aimed at a step-by-step approach towards Sanofi’s vision of becoming an AI driven powerhouse.

About you

Experience:

• Experience in digital project/portfolio management in an industrial environment

• Experience with agile methodology

• Knowledge of major pharmaceutical production processes

• Knowledge of major industrial digital systems (ERP, LIMS, MES, etc.)

• Knowledge of data science/data analytics

• Knowledge of master data: data governance, etc.

• Knowledge of Manufacturing 4.0 and AI/GenAI

Soft Skills:

• Ability to organise, unite, and coach teams; strong leadership with the ability to shape a vision, drive initiatives, and make decisions

• Autonomous in execution with the ability to adapt with agility and anticipate potential issues

• Rigour & Organisation

• Strong written and oral communication skills

Hard Skills:

• Digital, Project Management/Agile, Data Analysis.

Education & experience:

• Master's degree or equivalent

• 5-10 years of experience in pharmaceutical AND/OR digital environment

• Experience as a people manager

Language(s):

• Dutch & English (professional level required)

Why choose us?

• Engage with a global network of professionals and benefit from a culture that promotes teamwork and mutual respect

• Supportive work environment that values employee wellbeing and possibility of remote work arrangements to support work-life balance

• Drive innovation and implementation of state-of-the-art technologies to enhance operational performance

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