Job descriptionJoin 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.
Overview The B100 APU Head is accountable for an Autonomous Production Unit (APU) team that delivers best-in-class performance across the end-to-end value stream, encompassing manufacturing operations, safety, quality, and compliance for vaccine products at the Toronto site. The APU Head leads a high-performance, self-directed team with shared and aligned priorities, drives a culture of collaboration and autonomous decision-making, provides executive direction, and develops and implements business processes and medium- to long-term strategic plans for the APU. This includes anticipating customer needs and ensuring sustainable best-in-class performance in a continuously evolving environment.
The APU Head is responsible for the overall performance of the vaccine manufacturing APU. This is achieved through demonstration of lean leadership and sponsorship of the deployment and adoption of the Sanofi Manufacturing System throughout the APU, with a strong emphasis on digital transformation, Smart Factory capabilities, and value stream optimization.
The APU Head guides and inspires a team of leaders from cross-functional areas — including Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Technical Services and Engineering, MSAT, Manufacturing Excellence, Finance, and HSE — to deliver on aligned APU priorities. The team is matrixed in nature with both direct and dotted-line authority.
The incumbent is expected to be an active change agent who embodies the Take the Lead behaviors (Aim Higher, Act for Patients, Be Bold, Lead Together), maintains an open mindset toward new opportunities and continuous improvement, challenges the status quo, and drives innovation — while actively supporting the transformation of the organization.
The APU Head reports directly to the Head of Drug Substance at the Toronto site.
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 Product Supply (15%)
Accountable for end-to-end value stream performance, ensuring robust manufacturing and timely delivery of quality vaccine products in accordance with customer commitments.
Drive integrated business planning processes to align supply commitments with operational capacity, inventory strategy, and demand signals across the value stream.
Champion a patient-centric mindset across the APU, ensuring that supply reliability and product quality directly support patient access to life‑saving vaccines.
Quality and Compliance (15%)
Ensure compliance with site and regulatory requirements for the manufacturing of biologics and vaccines at the Toronto facility.
Lead APU audit readiness and quality performance to ensure successful inspection outcomes.
Partner with site quality functions on major quality initiatives and program changes, embedding a quality-first culture within all self-directed team operations.
Ensure operability of facilities and equipment for the APU, including adherence to planned maintenance activities and reliability standards.
Leverage digital quality management systems and real‑time data analytics to proactively identify and resolve compliance risks within the value stream.
Health Safety and Environment (15%)
Ensure compliance with site HSE policies and local regulatory requirements, including environmental, Ministry of Labour, and PHAC regulations.
Lead by example in driving the internal responsibility system and a safety-first culture within the APU, setting ambitious targets that go beyond minimum compliance.
Empower self-directed teams to ensure that operations are carried out safely, and that safety issues are effectively prioritized and resolved with urgency and accountability.
Integrate HSE performance metrics into the APU’s value stream optimization framework to ensure safety is embedded in operational decision-making.
People Management (25%)
Support leadership development and succession planning within the APU to grow local talent and build organizational resilience.
Empower, coach, and develop a cross-functional team of leaders to operate with autonomous decision-making authority, working collaboratively to deliver aligned APU goals and objectives.
Attract new talent to the APU to ensure business continuity across the long-term planning horizon, with a focus on digital fluency capabilities.
Model and coach Take the Lead behaviors (Aim Higher, Act for Patients, Be Bold, Lead Together) in daily work, embedding these values into team culture and performance conversations.
Foster an inclusive leadership environment where diverse perspectives are actively sought, psychological safety is maintained, and every team member is empowered to contribute.
Partner with People & Culture to manage within the Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) while maintaining a constructive and forward-looking employee relations environment.
Production Efficiency, Innovation, and Financial Results (15%)
Accountable for delivery to the annual APU operating budget; maintains and controls spending according to budget, provides explanation for variances, and minimizes product loss through effective and efficient use of personnel and resources.
Champion Lighthouse, Smart Factory, and Operational Excellence initiatives to improve performance and deliver cost savings to the operational budget.
Lead the APU through digital transformation by driving the adoption of Smart Factory technologies — including advanced analytics, automation, and connected manufacturing systems — to optimize the end-to-end value stream.
Manage the operations team and support functions through technology innovation, implementation, and sustainability of solutions that fundamentally transform how the APU operates.
Apply value stream optimization methodologies to eliminate waste, reduce cycle times, and right first time execution across the APU.
Strategy and Reporting (15%)
Partner with Manufacturing leadership, MSAT, PMO, and the Site Leadership Team (SLT) to review current needs and define future infrastructure, equipment, and process requirements for the annual budget and strategic planning cycles.
Develop APU strategy to ensure that capability is maintained and aligned with the Long Range Plan (LRP) and Long-Term Industrial Plan (LTIP), incorporating autonomous operations principles and digital capability roadmaps.
Integrate integrated business planning cycles into APU strategy development to ensure alignment between operational capacity, financial targets, and commercial demand.
Sponsor initiatives, align funding and resources, and drive successful execution of APU projects that advance the site’s transformation agenda.
About You Minimum Required Experience, Education & Skills
Bachelor of Science/Engineering/Biology or equivalent
10+ years, direct experience in pharmaceutical/biotechnology manufacturing, and quality environments/organizations
8+ years demonstrated leadership in behavioral competencies
Effective communication skills, demonstrated team management skills, strong quality mindset, change management experience, people leadership experience.
Experience in drug substance vaccine production including aseptic processing. Proficient in project management (respect project constraint such as time, cost, scope, quality to achieve project success).
Preferred Qualifications
Demonstrated ability to get results quickly through strong coaching, mentoring, influencing and setting an inspirational environment.
Why Choose Us
Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future-focused team.
Discover endless opportunities to grow your talent and drive your career, whether it’s through a promotion or lateral move, at home or internationally.
Enjoy a thoughtful, well‑crafted rewards package that recognizes your contribution and amplifies your impact.
Take good care of yourself and your family, with a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits including high-quality healthcare, prevention and wellness programs.
AI Usage “Artificial Intelligence” refers to any systems that use automated processes, including algorithms and machine learning, to analyze data and make predictions, inferences, decisions, or recommendations without direct human involvement. These systems may process personal information to identify patterns, improve services, or support decision‑making. The Company may use Artificial Intelligence for purposes including, but not limited to, resume screening and hiring, scheduling interviews or meetings, conducting surveys, matching skills with potential job openings, interview scoring, ensuring compliance with regulations applicable to our industry, and activities related to performance evaluation. Information collected and processed by the Company’s Artificial Intelligence systems may include the personal information detailed above and calendar availability. It excludes the information collected and processed for monitoring purposes. You should contact Human Resources if you have a question or concern regarding your personal information. You can also contact Canada’s Privacy Officer via Sanofi’s data subject request portal, can also be used to request access or correction of your personal information and file a complaint.
Sanofi is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. Our goal is to attract, develop and retain highly talented employees from diverse backgrounds, allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified applicants. Accommodations for persons with disabilities required during the recruitment process are available upon request.
At Sanofi, we provide equal opportunities to all regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
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