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Job title: Shipping Services Lead, Vaccines R&D

Location:Waltham, MA

About the Job

The Lab Materials Management and Transport team leads imports, exports, permits, and reagent management operations at multiple Vaccines R&D sites globally across the US, Canada, and EU. Our mission is to centrally manage the purchasing and maintenance of inventories of reagents for specific projects, coordinate permits, shipments, and transportation of critical and non-critical materials, and ensure compliant transport from receipt through distribution to end-users across global Vaccines R&D sites and Contract Research Organizations (CROs). Our goal is to improve the quality and agility of Vaccines R&D operations while simultaneously reducing compliance and operational demands on scientific and technical staff — advancing projects along the pipeline and ultimately bringing vaccines to market to address unmet medical needs.

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

The Shipping Services Lead, Vaccines R&D is a high-visibility, cross-functional role operating at the intersection of Vaccines R&D site operations and Vaccines R&D global shipping strategy development. In this role, you will serve as the end-to-end shipping process owner select sites while simultaneously leading the development of a Vaccines R&D global shipping strategy aligned with corporate logistics and sample management objectives. You will connect with stakeholders across Vaccines R&D functions and multiple operational areas, influence ways of working, and drive meaningful change through process harmonization, digital tool development, and performance excellence.

The ideal candidate will live within a reasonable commuting distance to Sanofi's Waltham, MA location.

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

Shipping Services & Site Operations

• Own the end-to-end (E2E) shipping process for Vaccines R&D North America at select locations, serving as the primary point of accountability for all outbound shipment activity.

• Oversee shipping coordination and site logistics processes, interacting with internal customers to support Vaccines R&D shipment needs with the goal of reducing processing times and providing streamlined, simple processes to scientists and other stakeholders locally and abroad.
• Centralize the acquisition of site permits as service on scientists’ behalf, as requested.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and regional transportation rules, regulations, and requirements, including but not limited to IATA, DOT, CDC, USDA, and USFWS.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with internal stakeholders — including Quality, and Regulatory — as well as external stakeholders such as logistics service providers and 3PL/4PL vendors.
• Act as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for process stakeholders across R&D functions, contracts managers, lab support services, central shipping departments, and import/export trade compliance.

Digital Tools Development

• Lead the development of best-in-class E2E digital tools and solutions to support shipping visibility, tracking, problem-solving, and deviation management across Vaccines R&D.
• Lead the development of real-time temperature monitoring solutions to ensure material integrity throughout the shipping process.
• Explore and recommend AI-powered tools to predict potential shipping issues, forecasting methods and optimize Vaccines R&D shipping operations.
• Collaborate with technology and operations teams to define requirements and roadmaps for digital transformation initiatives, with accountability for tool development and refinement.

Performance, Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Develop, implement, monitor, and analyze KPIs and metrics for Vaccines R&D shipping operations; communicate performance results to relevant stakeholders and leadership.
• Ensure audit readiness and adherence to all applicable quality, corporate, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Represent the department during audits and inspections for regulatory agencies as required; respond to audit findings as needed.
• Drive sustainability initiatives and raise awareness across the Vaccines R&D network; continuously strive to make Vaccines R&D shipping best-in-class for environmental responsibility.
• Assess operational and compliance risks and develop mitigation plans.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement through collaboration, digital solutions, and cross-functional engagement.

Secondary Support (As Needed)

• Support lab supply and reagent management activities as required by Vaccines R&D operations.
• Support preclinical vendor management and CRO outsourcing coordination activities as needed.
• Support VR&D Site Ops Leads as required to implement Vaccines R&D initiatives.

About You

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree (BS/BA) in sciences, supply chain, logistics, business, or a related discipline; advanced degree (MS) a plus.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in supply chain, logistics, pharmaceutical operations, or manufacturing.
• Proven experience in management of budgets and projects with strong relationship-building and networking skills.
• Proven leadership skills, especially in global settings, supporting laboratory operations and the ability to work independently under minimal supervision.
• Proven presentation and communication skills.
• Results-driven with strong time management, personnel development, and interpersonal skills.

Technical Skills & Required Knowledge

• Knowledge and understanding of different government agencies and regulations including US & Canada Customs (e.g. FDA, CDC, IATA, DOT).
• Experience with import/export and global trade compliance requirements and documentation processes, particularly US compliance (US Import Declaration process, CDC, USDA, and USFWS rules).
• Knowledge of transport regulations, particularly UN codes related to IATA and ADR regulations, and costs associated with all modes of transport for pharmaceutical and chemical samples (dry or under temperature control).
• Strong knowledge and experience with MS Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Visio.
• Experience working with logistics service providers (3PL, 4PL).
• Experience authoring and/or reviewing standard operating procedures, validation protocols, on-the-job trainings, service level agreements, and other controlled documents.
• Familiarity with deviation management systems.
• Working knowledge of Sanofi digital systems including iLearn (LMS), electronic documentation management systems (EDMS), and other key applications used in permits, shipments, or reagent purchasing and inventory management.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Proven knowledge and skills in developing and maintaining inventory management plans and demonstrable experience managing laboratory inventories.
• Good knowledge of R&D processes and Vaccines R&D operations.
• Strong skills in supply chain and logistics inbound/outbound flows; ability to manage logistics and supply chain projects with cross-functional counterparts.
• Experience with digital transformation initiatives and technology development in logistics or supply chain environments.
• Training and coaching experience.
• Discretion, ability to analyze objectively, and excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Soft Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Strong project management and strategic planning skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, highly matrixed environment.
• Ability to work independently under minimal supervision and direction.
• Collaborative mindset with strong cross-functional influence.
• Change management and innovation mindset.

Language & Physical Requirements

• Fluency in English is required.
• Minimum lifting; long periods of sitting/standing in front of a computer.

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.
• 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.
• Work at the forefront of drug discovery, harnessing cutting-edge AI, data, and digital platforms to push the boundaries of science.
• Help improve the lives of millions of people globally by making drug development quicker and more effective.
• 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.

Pursue Progress. Discovery Extraordinary.

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