About the Job

Company Context

Sanofi's strategic direction is to standardize processes across sites, embrace digital transformation of its Manufacturing & Supply perimeter, simplify its current solution landscape, and leverage advanced technologies to bring business value.

The MARS (MES Accelerated Roadmap @ Sanofi) program aims to implement Computer-assisted batch review, enabled by the definition and roll-out of a core Manufacturing Execution System (MES). This program will transform Sanofi plants, improving compliance, cost, and cycle time performance.

Over recent years, Sanofi has deployed various Production sites across GBUs (multiple pharmaceutical processes, Weighing & Dispensing & full MES), with a second wave currently in motion. This represents a strategic opportunity for Manufacturing & Supply Transformation to:

Design standardized end-to-end processes to generate business value and deliver best-in-class solutions to industrial sites, with high focus on electronic batch record management & review by exception process

Deliver innovative "state of the art" tools enabling performance for manufacturing processes

Allow new generation of deployment – more Agile & business centric

Maintain robust and highly available solutions to operate industrial processes efficiently

MES Development & Operations Manager

Role Overview:

The MES Development & Operations Manager is responsible for leading the development, deployment, integration, and ongoing operations of Manufacturing Execution System (MES) solutions at Sanofi, including Siemens OPCenter Execution Pharma, Koerber PAS-X (Werum), and Opstrakker (elogbook/eforms) in alignment with the expectations of the MES Technical Product/ Platforms Owner. This role combines technical expertise in MES development and deployment with strategic leadership to ensure the successful implementation and operation of MES across Sanofi's manufacturing sites. The manager will oversee a team of MES developers and deployment experts (technically & administratively), take the ownership/leadership of technical delivery of the team, operational excellence, and continuous improvement in alignment with the expectations of Technical Product Owner and MES capability Manager and to answer to the needs on manufacturing sites.

Main Responsibilities:

Team Leadership and Management:

Lead and manage a team of MES developers and deployment experts

Drive knowledge building and skill development within the team

Foster a culture of continuous learning and best practice sharing among team members

Assess and enhance the technical capabilities of the team. Identify skill gaps and implement targeted training and development programs

Create a collaborative environment that encourages innovation and problem-solving

Facilitate resource allocation and management for various MES projects across Digital Manufacturing & Supply

Support the MES Capability Manager and Product Owner (Platforms) through technical delivery, ensuring knowledge transfer, and contributing to operational excellence

MES Development:

Oversee the design, development, and maintenance of MES applications and interfaces

Guide the team in developing robust, scalable, and maintainable code

Ensure adherence to software development best practices and coding standards

Lead code reviews and quality assurance processes

Drive the adoption of agile development methodologies

MES Deployment and Integration:

Lead the planning and execution of MES deployments, updates, and migrations across manufacturing sites

Oversee MES installation qualification (IQ) and operational qualification (OQ) processes

Ensure smooth data flow and system interoperability between MES and other systems

Guide the team in developing and implementing deployment strategies

Oversee the creation and maintenance of system documentation

Technical Strategy/ delivery and Innovation:

Develop and maintain the technical roadmap for MES development and operations

Stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends in manufacturing systems

Evaluate and recommend new technologies and approaches to enhance MES capabilities

Lead initiatives to improve system performance, scalability, and reliability

Guide the strategic evaluation of technical options and assess/manage associated risks

Operational Excellence:

Establish and maintain operational frameworks for MES support and maintenance

Implement metrics and KPIs to track system performance and team productivity

Lead initiatives to optimize MES operations and reduce system downtime

Ensure compliance with GxP regulations and industry standards

Drive continuous improvement in MES operations and support processes

Delivery and Project Management:

Drive timely and high-quality delivery of MES development and deployment projects

Establish and maintain delivery frameworks that ensure consistent, predictable outcomes

Implement delivery metrics and KPIs to track performance, quality of service, and team productivity

Lead risk mitigation strategies to address potential delivery challenges proactively

Coordinate cross-functional implementation activities to ensure smooth deployment across different industrial sites

Establish delivery governance to maintain transparency and accountability throughout the delivery lifecycle

Oversee the implementation of various MES projects, maintaining accountability for the results delivered by the development and deployment teams

Coordinate closely with Product Owner for Platforms, and also with Product Owners for Siemens OPCenter/ INOVA & Opstrakker to support development/ deployment/ migration projects

Ensure optimal resource allocation and project outcomes

Stakeholder Management:

Collaborate with MES Product Owners, business stakeholders, and IT teams

Communicate effectively with management on project status, risks, and resource needs

Work with Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs teams to ensure compliance

Build and maintain strong relationships across all organizational levels 

About You

Required Skills and Qualifications

Experience & Knowledge:

12+ years of experience in software development and IT, with at least 8+ years focused on MES solutions: Siemens OPCenter, Koerber PAS-X, and Opstrakker

Proven experience in people management and team leadership

Strong track record of successfully managing and developing technical teams

Demonstrated experience in managing delivery timelines, resources, and quality simultaneously

Strong development background, including experience in designing and implementing complex software solutions for manufacturing environments

Strong background in MES deployment, installation, updates, and migrations

Experience with installation qualification (IQ) and operational qualification (OQ) processes

Experience with pharmaceutical manufacturing processes and GxP regulations

Technical Skills:

Strong expertise in MES solutions:

Siemens OPCenter Execution Pharma

Koerber PAS-X (Werum)

Opstrakker (elogbook/eforms)

MES development skills including .NET, SOAP, PowerShell, and scripting

Strong expertise in MES installation, upgrade, and migration processes

Experience in system qualification (IQ/OQ) and validation

Proficiency in Mendix low-code development platform

Experience with cloud technologies and cloud-native development

Strong knowledge of database technologies and SQL

Understanding of manufacturing processes and automation systems

Experience with system integration and API development

Knowledge of DevOps practices and tools

Experience with Kubernetes is a plus

Leadership and Soft Skills:

Demonstrated people management skills with ability to mentor, develop, and retain talent

Strong leadership capabilities with proven ability to inspire and motivate teams

Results-oriented approach with focus on delivery excellence and accountability

Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, with ability to manage stakeholder expectations at all levels

Strategic thinking and strong decision-making abilities, coupled with a proactive problem-solving mindset

Customer-centric approach with focus on delivering value

Change management expertise and adaptability to dynamic environments

Collaborative team player experienced in matrix organizations

Agile methodology practitioner with ability to manage competing priorities effectively

Resilience and ability to work effectively under pressure

Education:

Engineering degree or master's in computer science or related field (or equivalent experience)

MBA or equivalent business management qualification is a plus

Language: Fluency in English

Working Environment:

Occasional travel requirement to manufacturing sites in Europe & North America

Flexibility to contribute occasionally on operations out of working hours

Global, matrix organization environment

Must be able to work effectively across different time zones and cultures

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.

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

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, ability or gender identity.

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