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Manufacturing and Supply

Manufacturing and Supply
Where the
miracles of
science
are made
a reality
for patients

Operational Excellence Area Lead

Waterford, Ireland
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At a glance

Our teams produce and deliver over 4 billion units of medicines and vaccines every year, ensuring every breakthrough gets to the people who need it most.
Our state-of-the-art facilities, AI-powered smart factories, and cutting-edge automation are redefining what’s possible: ensuring treatments reach patients faster, safer, and more sustainably than ever before. This is where your skills, ambition, and passion can shape the future of healthcare.

Operational Excellence Area Lead

  • Location Waterford

About Waterford

For more than 20 years, our Waterford team has continued to grow and diversify to serve patients around the world. Today, a team of almost 800 work together at a state-of-the-art biopharmaceutical and medical device campus. Recognised through multiple local and national awards, Sanofi Waterford offers flexible working and access to a world of opportunities to grow your career at one location. As well as attractive benefits, the team enjoy access to an onsite gym and medical centre that underpin a strong commitment to health and wellbeing.

As Project Portfolio Lead you will be responsible for:

Main responsibilities:

  • Drive performance & transformation initiatives leveraging SMS and Lean tools to meet the needs of the site and transform ways of working. 
  • Support execution of performance initiatives including the Continuous Improvement project portfolio defined for this area, deployment of operating standards as codified in the respective ecosystems.
  • Plan and lead workshops to identify non-value-added work and identify areas for streamlining and improvement to identify and propose the correct tools to be implemented.
  • Lead problem-solving sessions, leveraging existing SMS tools (GPS3).
  • Design, develop, and maintain site dashboards and visual management tools to monitor KPIs and site metrics.
  • Conduct data analyses to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies especially to support continuous improvement projects.
  • Operational Excellence method and training referent for his/her area and supporting M&S network (e.g. Maturity Assessment execution, SMS Trainer…).

About you:

  • Experience: Implementing Lean tools and methodology. Organizing and leading workshops. 2-5 years' experience working in a cGMP environment Preferably Operations or Engineering.
  • Soft skills: Influencing, Detail Oriented, Self-Starter, Strong Communication and presentation Skills.
  • Technical skills: Microsoft Office Suite, Power BI, Lean Six Sigma.
  • Education: BS/BA in Business, Engineering or other technical degrees. Lean Qualification advantageous.

Pursue Progress. Discover Extraordinary.

Better is out there. Better medications, better outcomes, better science. But progress doesn’t happen without people – people from different backgrounds, in different locations, doing different roles, all united by one thing: a desire to make miracles happen. So, let’s be those people.

At Sanofi, we provide equal opportunities to all regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or gender identity.

Visas for those who do not already have the right to work in the UK will be considered on a case by case basis according to business needs and resources.

Watch our ALL IN video and check out our Diversity Equity and Inclusion actions at sanofi.com!

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to offering interviews to candidates who request consideration under the Scheme and meet the minimum requirements for this role.


If you have a disability and require adjustments for the interview process, please email us at diversity.recruitmentUKIE@sanofi.com. We are dedicated to ensuring an inclusive and supportive experience for all applicants.

Pursue Progress. Discover Extraordinary.

Progress doesn’t happen without people – people from different backgrounds, in different locations, doing different roles, all united by one thing: a desire to make miracles happen. You can be one of those people. Chasing change, embracing new ideas and exploring all the opportunities we have to offer. Let’s pursue progress. And let’s discover extraordinary together.

At Sanofi, we provide equal opportunities to all regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or gender identity.

Watch 'One day at Sanofi' and check out our Diversity Equity and Inclusion initiatives at sanofi.com

Apply now
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Why work with us

  • We’re problem-solvers and pioneers. United by the belief that everyone deserves a healthier future. We create best-in-class vaccines that prevent disease and protect lives.

  • Innovation drives us. From AI and mRNA to next-gen science, we push the boundaries to deliver first- and best-in-class vaccines for infectious diseases worldwide.

  • Growth happens here. With bold investments in R&D and world-class facilities, Sanofians across the entire vaccine lifecycle are shaping the future of global health.

  • We do what’s right. Sustainability and DE&I drive our positive global impact—because the diverse communities Sanofians represent are the patients we serve.

All-in on diversity

At Sanofi, diverse perspectives fuel the best solutions for patients. Hear from Monique Vessey, our Supply Chain Transformation Leader, on how her background shapes her approach to delivering life-changing medicines.

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"Manufacturing and Supply is the bridge between the science that happens in research laboratories and the people and communities we serve."

Brendan O’Callaghan

Executive Vice President of Manufacturing and Supply

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Manufacturing & Supply Careers

Explore how Sanofi is transforming pharmaceutical manufacturing and supply chains with cutting-edge technology, digital innovation, and sustainable practices. Discover career opportunities where you can help deliver life-changing medicines efficiently and responsibly.

Learn more

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Our Formula for Success with McLaren Racing

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