Job Title: Head of Smart Factory – Operational Excellence & Smart Factory
About the job
Sanofi is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies with 80,000+ employees across 100+ countries, specializing in diabetes solutions, vaccines, innovative medicines, and rare diseases.
The Sanofi Geel production site is a multiproduct manufacturing site for therapeutic enzyme and monoclonal antibody production. Our 800+ dedicated professionals operate state-of-the-art bioreactors and purification systems, combining advanced biotechnology with smart manufacturing innovations to deliver life-changing treatments.
In this context, the role of Head of Smart Factory is essential to drive the digital transformation and modernisation of the site, with the goal of improving efficiency, competitiveness and operational excellence.
The Head of Smart Factory reports directly to the Head of Operational Excellence & Smart Factory. They join a team composed of SMS leaders and digital specialist assigned to the various sectors of the factory.
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:
Build, develop and maintain the Site Digital Roadmap:
Work in collaboration with digital teams, global functions, and site departments to define a prioritised portfolio of digital projects aimed at ensuring performance, business continuity and modernization; including core models, Smart Factory solutions, and local applications.
Define and manage the associated digital budget (Capex/Opex), and lead the related global processes and systems (e.g., Strat plan & budget cycles, business case preparation/approval, digital project portfolio, etc.)
Lead the implementation of 'Smart Factory' digital projects (both global/local solutions, Next Gen Models, Data foundation, centralization and contextualization, Artificial Intelligence, etc...):
Defining the execution approach and master plan in alignment with key stakeholders
Securing funding (e.g., Capex/Opex) and building the project team to ensure capacity and competencies (e.g., Project Manager, BSO, SMEs, etc.)
Collaborating with Business and OpEx teams with key focus on value, performance and adoption
Monitoring execution, schedule adherence, and escalating through appropriate governance
Ensuring proper setup, utilisation, and formal handover to operations
Providing first-line support during operations
Ensure Master Data accuracy:
Pursue innovation:
About you
Experience:
Experience in digital project/portfolio management in an industrial environment
Experience with agile methodology
Knowledge of major pharmaceutical production processes
Knowledge of major industrial digital systems (ERP, LIMS, MES, etc.)
Knowledge of data science/data analytics
Knowledge of master data: data governance, etc.
Knowledge of Manufacturing 4.0 and AI/GenAI
Soft Skills:
Ability to organise, unite, and coach teams; strong leadership with the ability to shape a vision, drive initiatives, and make decisions
Autonomous in execution with the ability to adapt with agility and anticipate potential issues
Rigour & Organisation
Strong written and oral communication skills
Hard Skills:
Education & experience:
Master's degree or equivalent
5-10 years of experience in pharmaceutical AND/OR digital environment
Experience as a people manager
Language(s):
Why choose us?
Engage with a global network of professionals and benefit from a culture that promotes teamwork and mutual respect
Supportive work environment that values employee wellbeing and possibility of remote work arrangements to support work-life balance
Drive innovation and implementation of state-of-the-art technologies to enhance operational performance
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