Site Quality Head, R&D

About the Job

Provides site leadership and direction to R&D for quality and compliance systems in order that quality practices are developed and maintained for clinical testing laboratories in GCI and for early phase manufacture, testing, and release of clinical trial materials performed internally at Swiftwater or with external CMO/CRO partners

Join the team protecting half a billion lives every year with next-gen science, mRNA innovation, and AI-driven breakthroughs. In Vaccines, you’ll help advance prevention on a global scale - and shape the future of immunization.

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

Directs a small team of quality professionals to ensure effective GxP compliance programs are in place in site. Vaccines R&D functions, based on Global R&D Quality strategy, and in accordance to applicable regulations and company standards. Accountable for unit performance based on company, quality and project objectives, and for development of an Annual Quality Plan based on site performance metrics. Responsible to promote a quality culture mindset that ensures compliance and drives quality continuous improvements.

Represents Vaccines R&D Quality Swiftwater on the R&D Quality Leadership Team to establish priorities, define initiatives for improvement, develop and manage the budget. Acts as a subject matter expert for local R&D functions on quality –related topics.

1. Quality Systems Management

• Provide direction, guidance, and education on quality and compliance (GLP, GCP, GMP) to ensure adherence to regulations and Sanofi policies
• Serve as primary liaison with Quality Risk Manager for site risk-mapping and remediation
• Collaborate with global R&D Quality and local Manufacturing & Supply Quality

2. Team Leadership (3-5 Direct Reports)

• Manage and coordinate the Swiftwater R&D Quality team's activities and priorities
• Establish performance expectations, provide regular feedback, and define skill enhancement programs
• Distribute workload to ensure timely deliverables
• Provide quality support and resources to R&D senior management

3. Audits & Inspections

• Lead site inspection readiness for internal, external, and third-party audits
• Ensure quality oversight of third-party suppliers and subcontractors, including quality agreements
• Serve as subject matter expert during inspections, defending quality programs and providing timely responses to audit observations

4. Continuous Improvement & Quality Culture

• Support local and global quality system improvement initiatives
• Report site quality metrics to senior management across R&D functions
• Define annual evaluation programs based on quality indicators and metrics
• Support corrective action development and follow-up

5. Community of Practice (CoP) Participation

• Implement standardized processes and tools at the local level
• Act as "Voice of Customer" and provide feedback on roadblocks
• Share inspection experiences, best practices, and propose process improvements
• Contribute to CoP roadmap objectives

6. Health, Safety & Compliance

• Oversee compliance with employment, health, and safety legislation
• Respond promptly to safety concerns/incidents and support investigations
• Complete appropriate documentation in a timely manner

Key Context & Challenges

• Manage quality and compliance for clinical trial material (CTM) manufacturing and testing, plus clinical sample laboratory oversight
• Stay current with changing regulatory environment and apply quality risk management approaches
• Defend programs during audits/inspections in a competent and convincing manner
• Requires strong organization, autonomy, decision-making, and communication skills
• Interact with colleagues across multiple international sites
• Local accountability with potential global impact on R&D departments
• Minimal travel required for audits and global meetings

About You

Education:

• Minimum Bachelor of Science Degree, specializing in Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry or related fields OR
• Advanced Degree (MSc or PhD), specializing in Immunology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or other relevant discipline
• 10+ years of relevant experience (ideally in Pharmaceutical/Biotech), with substantial supervisory experience managing teams and direct reports (highly preferred)

Experience & Technical Skills:

• Excellent knowledge of the GMPs for US, Canada and Europe.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with GLP, GCP and GCLP
• Understanding of analytical method and equipment qualification
• ASQ Certified Auditor
• ISO Certified Auditor
• Quality System certification training from a recognized institution are all assets

Skills and Competencies:

• Excellent problem solving, report writing and communication skills based on global interaction

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 and at least 14 weeks’ gender-neutral parental leave.
• Work at the forefront of AI-driven research, smart manufacturing, and groundbreaking mRNA platforms that are redefining the future of immunology.
• Help protect half a billion people every year, contributing to one of the largest global vaccination efforts in healthcare.
• Develop your career with access to mentoring, international mobility programs, and opportunities to grow across four continents.

Sanofi Inc. and its U.S. affiliates are Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employers committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.

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# Pursue _progress_ , discover _extraordinary_

Better is out there. Better medications, better outcomes, better science. But progress doesn’t happen without people – people from different backgrounds, in different locations, doing different roles, all united by one thing: a desire to make miracles happen. So, let’s be those people.

At Sanofi, we provide equal opportunities to all regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, ability or gender identity.

Watch our [ALL IN video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkpDBZ-CJKw&t=67s) and check out our Diversity Equity and Inclusion actions at [sanofi.com](https://www.sanofi.com/en/our-responsibility/equality-and-inclusiveness)!

_US and Puerto Rico Residents Only_

Sanofi Inc. and its U.S. affiliates are Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employers committed to a culturally inclusive and diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; natural or protective hairstyles; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.

_North America Applicants Only_

The salary range for this position is:

$133.500,00 - $192.833,33

All compensation will be determined commensurate with demonstrated experience. Employees may be eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs. Additional benefits information can be found through the [LINK](https://benefits.sanofiusallwell.com/fleet/public/index/ba511bf8-5c32-4828-9861-ab985fffab90/?cid=sanofi).