Head of Drug Product MSAT Synthetics Platform

Head of Drug Product MSAT Synthetics Platform

Sanofi

Ambarès-et-Lagrave, France

Position Overview

The Head of Drug Product – MSAT Synthetics Platform is a senior leadership role reporting to the Head of the Synthetics Platform.

The role provides strategic, technical, and operational leadership for all Drug Product (DP) activities, including:

• Formulation & Process Development
• Engineering & Maintenance (DP-related systems and equipment)
• Quality & Compliance (DP scope)

The incumbent will lead a multidisciplinary organization based in Ambarès, France, supporting a portfolio spanning late-stage development, launch readiness, and commercial products across the GenMed GBU.

This role is accountable for end-to-end Drug Product performance within MSAT scope, from development through commercial manufacturing, across Sanofi’s internal sites and external partners.

Main Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, develop, and inspire a multidisciplinary Drug Product organization, fostering a high-performance, accountable, and collaborative culture
• Establish and inspire a cross - site skill area network
• Define the organizational model, capabilities, and ways of working required to deliver on current and future portfolio needs.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to a diverse team with expertise in pharmaceutical formulation, process development, scale-up, and manufacturing support for synthetics drug products.
• Build and sustain strong leadership within the team, ensuring succession planning and talent pipeline development
• Contribute to the Synthetics Platform's effectiveness through active participation in Global MSAT, M&S GenMed, R&D CMC Development, Industrial Product Teams, and Drug Product Manufacturing Site governance forums

Drug Product Innovation & Lifecycle Management

• Define and execute the global DP strategy for the synthetic product portfolio across launch, and commercialization
• Ensure robust, compliant, and efficient formulation and process development for OSD, semi-solids, liquids, and emerging formats
• Drive platformization, standardization, and harmonization of DP processes, formulations, and control strategies across the network
• Lead lifecycle management (LCM), including post-approval changes, cost optimization, and process improvements
• Ensure all DP activities meet global regulatory expectations (ICH, FDA, EMA, etc.)

Commercial Manufacturing Support

• Provide end-to-end oversight of technology transfer, validation, and commercial manufacturing support for DP processes
• Ensure robust control strategies for Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs) and process performance across the lifecycle
• Lead complex troubleshooting, root cause investigations, and technical decision-making at product and network level
• Drive continuous improvement in yield, reliability, compliance, and cost efficiency
• Ensure strong integration with MSAT transversal teams, sites, and CMOs

Innovation & Digital Transformation

• Drive innovation in formulation science, process technologies, and manufacturing approaches, including:Continuous Manufacturing, Advanced Characterization , Process Analytical Technology (PAT)
• Lead implementation of digital solutions for DP development and manufacturing:Data-driven process monitoring, Digital twins / modeling (where applicable), data integrity and analytics frameworks
• Build external partnerships (academia, industry) to strengthen scientific and technological leadership

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Define and articulate a clear vision and ambition for Drug Product within the Synthetics Platform
• Influence enterprise-level decisions as a trusted technical and business leader
• Contribute to the broader MSAT and M&S strategy, including operating model evolution
• Drive cross-functional alignment across R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, and Digital
• Champion change management and transformation in a complex, global environment

Key Challenges

• Managing a complex and multidisciplinary DP organization in a transforming operating model
• Driving harmonization and standardization across legacy processes and sites
• Delivering innovation within resource and regulatory constraints
• Leading through significant organizational and cultural change
• Navigating a highly matrixed stakeholder environment

About You

Basic Qualifications

• Ph.D. or advanced degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or related field
• ~12+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including senior leadership roles
• Strong expertise in drug product development and manufacturing (formulation, process development, scale-up, validation)
• Deep knowledge of CMC, GMP, and global regulatory frameworks (ICH, FDA, EMA)
• Proven experience with regulatory submissions and health authority interactions
• Demonstrated ability to lead in a complex, global matrix organization

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing broad and complex small molecule drug product portfolios
• Strong track record in commercial manufacturing support and lifecycle management
• Experience in digital transformation and advanced manufacturing technologies
• Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional CMC/LCM teams
• Exposure to continuous manufacturing, PAT, and data science applications
• Strong external network within the pharmaceutical and scientific community

Leadership Profile

• Strategic & Visionary - Translates scientific and business trends into actionable strategies
• Results-Oriented- Drives execution with accountability and measurable impact
• Influential Leader - Aligns stakeholders across complex environments
• Collaborative - Enables cross-functional and cross-site success
• Decisive - Makes sound decisions in uncertain environments
• Strategic - Translates key business trends and scientific developments into clear, actionable plans
• Continuous Improvement Mindset - Embeds operational excellence and innovation
• People Developer - Builds strong teams and future leaders
• Pursue Progress. Discover Extraordinary