Job Title: Manufacturing Operations Manager
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Location: Waterford, Ireland
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Job Type: Regular, Full-time
About the Job
Reporting directly to the Head of Product Supply, and as a key leader within the Product Supply Autonomous Production Unit (APU) at Sanofi Waterford, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the reliable supply of mAbs & Lyo products to patients worldwide. This position involves day-to-day leadership of operational teams, ensuring timely and compliant production while driving performance, compliance, and continuous improvement.
You will oversee critical manufacturing processes related to vial & syringe inspection, assembly & Packaging, working closely with cross-functional stakeholders in Quality, Engineering, Planning, and Technical Services to ensure seamless execution of production targets in a highly regulated GMP environment.
This is a people-focused leadership role with strong expectations around coaching, compliance, lean execution, and operational excellence.
Ready to get started?
Join a global network that powers how Sanofi delivers - seamlessly, purposefully, and at scale. In Manufacturing & Supply, you'll help reimagine how life-changing treatments reach people everywhere, faster.
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:
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Operations Leadership
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Lead all assigned inspection, Assembly and packaging operations to ensure timely execution of batch schedules, turnaround time, and product release cycle time.
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Execute production planning in alignment with supply chain and scheduling teams to meet demand.
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Manage operational readiness for new products and support technology transfer and process validation activities.
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Ensure effective shift handovers and communication across teams.
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Drive execution of KPIs related to throughput, downtime, deviations, and productivity.
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Compliance and Quality
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Ensure all operations are executed in full compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), Safety, Environmental, and Sanofi Quality standards.
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Monitor GMP compliance through deviation management, audit support, SOP reviews, and batch documentation reviews.
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Ensure procedures are current, accurate, and effectively implemented by the team.
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Support and lead investigations (deviations, CAPAs), working closely with QA, TS, and other stakeholders.
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Promote a culture of continuous quality improvement and right-first-time execution.
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People Management and Development
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Lead, coach, and develop a team of operators, leads, and/or supervisors across the mAbs operations.
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Ensure all employees are adequately trained for their roles, including technical and GMP training.
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Conduct performance evaluations, develop talent, and implement succession planning.
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Foster a culture of engagement, ownership, and collaboration within the team.
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Actively participate in recruitment, onboarding, and workforce planning processes.
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Continuous Improvement
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Develop and implement a site-level continuous improvement strategy focused on reducing Cost of Goods (COGs), improving efficiency, and simplifying processes.
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Lead or support lean initiatives, kaizen events, and problem-solving teams.
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Implement metrics and visual management tools to support performance monitoring and daily accountability.
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Promote a proactive approach to problem-solving and operational excellence.
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Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)
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Promote and maintain a zero-incident safety culture.
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Ensure that all operations and employees follow HSE policies and procedures.
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Conduct routine safety audits and risk assessments within the production area.
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Drive compliance with safety training and environmental standards.
About You
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Higher-level diploma/degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Science, Engineering, or related technical field).
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Significant experience in an Operations Manager or equivalent leadership role.
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Demonstrable experience working in a pharmaceutical GMP manufacturing environment.
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Strong technical knowledge of inspection/ packaging, or similar manufacturing technologies.
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Proven ability to lead operational teams in a regulated manufacturing setting.
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In-depth knowledge of cGMP, regulatory expectations, and batch documentation.
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Strong interpersonal and communication skills with an ability to lead through influence.
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Good problem-solving, analytical thinking, and decision-making abilities.
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Demonstrated ability to influence site-level KPIs through leadership and improvement activities.
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Understanding of Health & Safety and legal requirements for manufacturing operations.
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Exposure to Lean Six Sigma or similar operational excellence methodologies would be an advantage.
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Experience supporting regulatory inspections (FDA, HPRA, etc.) would be considered an advantage.
Why choose us?
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Transform lives worldwide by delivering life-changing treatments anywhere, anytime.
- Grow, thrive, and make an impact in a workplace that empowers you to bring your best self every day, with pride.
- Help deliver 30+ new product launches by 2030, ensuring patients get treatments faster than ever.
- Every year, we distribute over 4 billion units of medicines and vaccines, ensuring people worldwide receive the treatments they trust.
- Be part of an organization that invests in people, technology, and sustainability, leading the industry in low-carbon manufacturing and digital transformation.
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