Head of SMS Area Leads

Location: Waterford

About the job

At Sanofi, we’re committed to providing the next-gen healthcare that patients and customers need.

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 works together at a state-of-the-art biopharmaceutical and medical device campus. Recognized 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 Center that underpin a strong commitment to health and wellbeing.

The Head of SMS Area Leads is a key OPEX (Operational Excellence) role at Sanofi, responsible for driving performance improvement and implementing SMS (Sanofi Manufacturing System) standards in a specific organizational area. This position leads problem-solving initiatives, supports execution of performance projects, and serves as an OPEX method and training referent. The role requires expertise in operational excellence techniques, change management, and financial understanding. Success is measured through savings, adherence to SMS roadmap milestones, and effective implementation of performance management standards. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in operational excellence and be adept at leveraging data management and AI tools to drive continuous improvement.

We are an innovative global healthcare company with one purpose: to chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. We’re also a company where you can flourish and grow your career, with countless opportunities to explore, make connections with people, and stretch the limits of what you thought was possible. Ready to get started?

Main responsibilities:

• OPEX (Operational Excellence) representative for Department/APU-PCU/Function
• Drives area performance in conjunction with APU/PCU leads
• Provide leadership and coaching to ensure that APU Performance deliver well defined and quantified outcomes
• Through a strong Gemba presence, conducts regular Gemba's to coach the teams on waste identification and perform confirmation processes.
• Supports execution of performance initiatives and continuous improvement initiatives and deployment of operating standards
• Leads problem-solving sessions using SMS tools like GPS3
• Acts as OPEX method and training referent
• Develop site 3 P Savings Plan
• Milestone adherence for SMS areas’ roadmap
• Grow and develop Operational Excellence culture
• Contributes to the network with the community of continuous improvement specialists to align practices and advance SMS standards

About you

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Engineering, Operations, Science or other similar relevant disciplines
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in a Pharma/Bio setting, preferably within a GMP manufacturing setting
• Experience being part of a cross functional leadership team and leading teams
• 2+ years in a supervisory/management capacity
• Experience in transformation and change management
• Experience in Project Management
• Experience or certification in operational excellence
• Knowledge in Lean Manufacturing and experience in leading/supporting transformation programs
• Understand finance P&L monitoring, BOI, GM, COGs, cash flow.
• Good understanding of data management & IA digital products embedded into the SMS operating standards (e.g. eOEE, FaCT, iObeya)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to share vision, direction and data with colleagues across all levels and in a wide range of different work groups
• Ability to balance the speed of delivering work with quality demonstrating a commitment to make improvements in both aspects
• Ability to effectively coach and train employees
• Demonstrates Drive and ability to work well and engage the wider team in Operational Excellence

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.

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.