Deputy Director Manufacturing Operations

Sanofi•Pearl River, NY

21h•Onsite

About The Position

Sanofi is seeking an experienced and driven Deputy Director of Manufacturing Operations to lead upstream and downstream manufacturing operations for the production of Flublok drug substance. This leadership role is responsible for managing three manufacturing teams and ensuring all areas are consistently ready for manufacturing operations in full compliance with regulatory and quality standards. The Deputy Director will serve as a key operational leader, driving a culture of continuous improvement, operational excellence, and accountability across their teams. This individual must bring a strong command of GMP/GDP requirements, Lean manufacturing principles, and people leadership to ensure reliable, high-quality drug substance production in support of Sanofi's mission to improve patient lives.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Life Sciences, Business, or a related field.
10+ years of experience in pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical manufacturing, with 5+ years progressive leadership experience in GMP environment.
Strong working knowledge of GMP and GDP regulations and their application in a manufacturing environment
Proven expertise in Lean manufacturing methodologies (5s, Gemba Problem Solving, Daily Capacity Management) and defect identification/reduction
Demonstrated ability to perform thorough root cause analysis on manufacturing deviations and implement effective corrective actions
Experience with performance management routines, including +QDCI or equivalent operational excellence frameworks
Strong conflict management skills with the ability to navigate interpersonal and team dynamics effectively
Demonstrated sense of urgency and ability to prioritize and respond decisively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
Excellent communication, organizational, and stakeholder management skills
Understanding of cell growth and propagation principles as they apply to biopharmaceutical drug substance manufacturing

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (MS, MBA, or PhD) Life Sciences, Engineering, Business Administration or related technical field.
Hands-on experience with one or more of the following technologies: Single Use Systems, Chromatography, Tangential Flow Filtration, Stainless Steel Systems (Fermenters and Bioreactors)

Responsibilities

Ensure all areas and employees are safe at all times
Directly manage three manufacturing teams supporting upstream and downstream Flublok drug substance operations
Foster a high-performance culture grounded in accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Provide coaching, mentorship, and professional development to team members at all levels
Effectively manage conflict within and across teams to maintain a productive and respectful work environment
Drive a strong sense of urgency in day-to-day operations while maintaining quality and compliance standards
Ensure manufacturing areas are consistently ready for scheduled production activities
Oversee upstream and downstream manufacturing processes, including cell culture, protein production, purification, and related unit operations
Monitor and manage production schedules to meet output targets while maintaining compliance with all applicable standards
Ensure all equipment, materials, documentation, and personnel are in a state of readiness prior to manufacturing execution
Ensure all manufacturing activities are conducted in strict accordance with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) and GDP (Good Documentation Practice) requirements
Lead and support deviation investigations, applying structured root cause analysis (RCA) methodologies to identify, document, and resolve manufacturing deviations
Champion Lean manufacturing principles and defect identification practices to eliminate waste and drive process efficiency
Implement and sustain performance management routines, including +QDCI (Quality, Delivery, Cost, Involvement) metrics and visual management tools
Partner with Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs to support inspections, audits, and regulatory submissions as needed
Collaborate with Process Development, Quality, Supply Chain, and Engineering teams to support technology transfers, process improvements, and capacity planning
Represent manufacturing in cross-functional forums and contribute to site-level strategic initiatives
Identify and escalate risks to manufacturing readiness, supply continuity, or compliance in a timely manner
Support the development and management of departmental budgets and resource planning