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Supply Chain Lead (all genders) - Job Opportunity at Sanofi

Waterford, Ireland
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: May 28, 2025
On-site
EUR 55,000 - 70,000 annually based on mid-level supply chain management roles in Ireland's pharmaceutical sector, with potential for performance bonuses and comprehensive benefits package typical of multinational pharmaceutical companies

Benefits

Equal opportunity employment across all demographics ensuring inclusive workplace culture
International pharmaceutical company stability with comprehensive career development framework
Global team collaboration opportunities providing exposure to diverse markets and practices
Professional development through complex supply chain management in biologics sector
Travel opportunities supporting international business operations and CMO relationships

Key Responsibilities

Drive strategic coordination between External Manufacturing Product Teams and Contract Manufacturing Organizations to ensure optimal supply chain performance supporting $2-3 billion in sales revenue
Lead critical Site Supply Review processes in partnership with Global Supply Planning teams to optimize production forecasting and inventory management across 20+ commercial products
Execute comprehensive SAP supply chain operations management from contract creation through goods receipt, directly impacting manufacturing efficiency and cost optimization
Own and optimize CMO inventory management strategies including component level monitoring and quarterly reconciliation processes that drive operational excellence
Orchestrate complex financial and physical goods movements across global networks while balancing market priorities with budget targets to maximize profitability
Monitor and enhance performance metrics for 25+ Contract Manufacturing Organizations and 3rd Party Logistics providers to ensure service level excellence
Lead transformational integration of systems and processes across global sites and newly acquired entities, driving standardization and operational efficiency improvements

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's / Master's degree in business, Supply Chain Management, Project Management or related field

Experience

3-5 years' experience in Supply Chain processes, demand planning; 3+ years' experience in ERP systems (SAP or other related ERP systems)

Required Skills

Hands on experience in supply chain operational roles Knowledge of Supply Network Planning, Demand Management, Manufacturing processes and principles like CMO, forecast accuracy, OTIF Excellent handling of SAP is a must Strong knowledge of MS office tools desired Experience of Kinaxis an advantage Ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic and evolving environment Ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing fluency in english
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The pharmaceutical industry is experiencing unprecedented growth in biologics and specialty care products, with external manufacturing partnerships becoming critical for scaling production capacity and managing complex supply chains. Companies are increasingly relying on Contract Manufacturing Organizations to handle specialized biologics production due to the high capital requirements and technical expertise needed for these advanced therapies. Digital transformation in pharmaceutical supply chains is accelerating, with companies investing heavily in SAP integration, real-time inventory management systems, and advanced planning tools like Kinaxis to improve forecast accuracy and reduce supply chain disruptions. This trend is driven by regulatory requirements and the need for greater transparency in drug manufacturing and distribution. Post-pandemic supply chain resilience has become a strategic priority, with pharmaceutical companies diversifying their CMO partnerships and implementing more sophisticated risk management frameworks. The focus on OTIF (On-Time-In-Full) delivery and inventory optimization has intensified as companies balance cost efficiency with supply security.

Role Significance

Typically manages cross-functional coordination with 5-8 direct stakeholders including EMPT leads, quality representatives, and operations managers, while influencing broader networks of 15-20 CMO relationship managers and planning specialists across multiple geographic regions
This mid-level position represents a critical operational leadership role within Sanofi's global supply chain hierarchy, with direct responsibility for managing relationships worth $2-3 billion in sales and oversight of 25+ external manufacturing partners. The role sits at the intersection of strategic planning and operational execution, requiring both tactical expertise and strategic thinking.

Key Projects

Large-scale tech transfer initiatives for new biologics products moving from internal R&D to external commercial manufacturing Multi-million dollar CMO contract negotiations and performance optimization programs SAP system integration projects connecting newly acquired entities or manufacturing sites Supply chain network optimization initiatives to reduce costs while maintaining service levels Regulatory compliance projects ensuring CMO operations meet global pharmaceutical standards

Success Factors

Deep expertise in SAP supply chain modules combined with strong analytical skills to manage complex inventory reconciliations and financial movements across multiple entities and currencies Exceptional stakeholder management abilities to coordinate between internal teams, external CMOs, and 3PL providers while maintaining alignment on priorities and performance metrics Strategic thinking capabilities to balance short-term operational demands with long-term supply chain optimization goals, particularly in managing the tension between cost efficiency and supply security Strong project management skills to lead system integrations and process standardization initiatives across diverse organizational cultures and technical environments Cultural adaptability and communication excellence to work effectively across global teams and manage relationships with external partners in different regulatory environments

Market Demand

High demand driven by Ireland's position as a European pharmaceutical manufacturing hub and the growing complexity of biologics supply chains requiring specialized expertise in external manufacturing coordination

Important Skills

Critical Skills

SAP proficiency is absolutely essential as this role involves daily management of complex supply chain transactions, inventory reconciliations, and financial movements across multiple entities. Mastery of SAP modules for procurement, inventory management, and financial operations directly impacts operational efficiency and accuracy. Supply chain operational experience is fundamental to understanding the complexities of pharmaceutical manufacturing, regulatory requirements, and quality standards that govern CMO relationships. This knowledge is critical for making informed decisions about inventory levels, production planning, and risk management. Stakeholder management and communication skills are vital for coordinating between diverse internal teams and external partners, ensuring alignment on priorities, performance metrics, and strategic objectives while managing potential conflicts and competing demands.

Beneficial Skills

Kinaxis experience provides significant advantages in advanced planning and optimization capabilities that are increasingly important as Sanofi continues to digitize its supply chain operations Project management certification or experience would enhance ability to lead system integration and process improvement initiatives that are becoming more frequent in pharmaceutical supply chains Financial analysis skills beyond basic reconciliation would support more strategic decision-making around CMO contract optimization and supply chain network design Regulatory affairs knowledge would provide deeper understanding of compliance requirements that drive many supply chain decisions in the pharmaceutical industry

Unique Aspects

This role offers rare exposure to the full spectrum of biologics supply chain management, from tech transfer through commercial operations, providing comprehensive experience in one of the pharmaceutical industry's fastest-growing segments
Direct management of relationships worth $2-3 billion in annual sales revenue provides exceptional visibility and impact within Sanofi's global operations, offering accelerated career development opportunities
The combination of SAP expertise, CMO relationship management, and financial reconciliation responsibilities creates a unique skill set highly valued in the pharmaceutical industry
Working with 25+ CMOs across 40+ contracts provides unparalleled experience in external manufacturing coordination and contract management that translates well to consulting or business development roles

Career Growth

Career progression to senior management roles typically occurs within 3-5 years with demonstrated success in CMO relationship management and cross-functional leadership, with potential acceleration through successful large-scale project delivery and SAP expertise

Potential Next Roles

Senior Supply Chain Manager with expanded geographic or therapeutic area responsibility Global Supply Chain Director overseeing multiple product portfolios Head of External Manufacturing & Supply for specific therapeutic areas Supply Chain Strategy roles focusing on network optimization and digital transformation Commercial Operations leadership positions combining supply chain expertise with market access responsibilities

Company Overview

Sanofi

Sanofi is a multinational pharmaceutical corporation ranked among the world's top 5 pharmaceutical companies by revenue, with a strong focus on specialty care, vaccines, and consumer healthcare. The company has been investing heavily in biologics and rare disease treatments, making external manufacturing partnerships increasingly strategic to their growth plans.

As a global pharmaceutical leader with operations in over 170 countries, Sanofi maintains a dominant position in several therapeutic areas including diabetes, vaccines, and rare diseases. Their External Manufacturing & Supply organization represents a critical competitive advantage in scaling biologics production efficiently.
Ireland serves as a key strategic hub for Sanofi's European operations, with significant manufacturing and supply chain coordination responsibilities. The Waterford location likely supports broader European market access and regulatory coordination for the company's growing biologics portfolio.
Sanofi emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and scientific excellence with a culture that values cross-functional collaboration and global perspective. The company's focus on 'pursuing progress' and 'discovering extraordinary' reflects a performance-driven environment that encourages innovation and continuous improvement in operational excellence.
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