Production support manager
Sanofi Group
**_Job Title:_** **_Production Support Manager_**
**Location** : Japan (Nagoya area)
**Work type** : Hybrid remote/on-site
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**_About the job:_**
As the **Production Support Manager** within our _External Manufacturing & Supply Vaccines team_ , you'll coordinate and oversee manufacturing operations with our Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) in Japan, ensuring on-time delivery of life-saving vaccines. Ready to get started?
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.
We deliver 4.3 billion healthcare solutions to people every year, thanks to the flawless planning and meticulous eye for detail of our Manufacturing & Supply teams. With your talent and ambition, we can do even more to protect people from infectious diseases and bring hope to patients and their families.
External Manufacturing and Supply Vaccines (EM&S Vaccines) GBU enables end-to-end ownership and accountability to GBUs, with enhanced focus on operations and service. The EM&S Vaccines Operations department is the operational unit responsible for ensuring on-time and in-full delivery of products from CMOs (Contract Manufacturing Organizations).
**_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.
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**Main responsibilities:**
• Act as the primary Sanofi interface (virtual plant manager) for all manufacturing communications and operations at assigned CMO sites in Japan, including serving as Person In Plant (PIP) for ISE CMO and UNIGEN CMO facilities
• Coordinate and monitor operational execution of subcontracting activities with external partners, ensuring on-time, in-full delivery of products within a 0-6 month horizon
• Manage production and release flows from subcontractors to meet customer commitments on deadlines, quantities, and quality standards
• Monitor partner performance through KPIs, identify and resolve gaps, and escalate key risks to senior management
• Coordinate deviations and change controls in collaboration with EM&S Vaccines Quality, site QP teams, and affiliate quality teams
• Lead execution follow-up across all supporting areas (QA, QC, Supply, Logistics, Operations, MSAT, affiliates) ensuring cross-functional alignment
• Contribute to technical transfers, new product launches, compliance initiatives, and continuous improvement projects at supplier sites
• Participate in quality audits, inspections, investigations related to customer complaints/CAPA, and lead lessons learned sessions with partners
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**_About you:_**
• **Experience** : 5+ years in the pharmaceutical/biologics industry with 3+ years in manufacturing of drug product/drug substance or MSAT support
• **Technical skills** : Strong understanding of pharmaceutical production processes (DP/DS), quality tools and processes (CCR, anomalies), and experience working in cGMP environments
• **Leadership skills** : Proven ability to manage projects and lead cross-functional teams in multicultural industrial environments; customer-focused and solution-minded with strong assertiveness and accountability
• **Communication** : Excellent communication skills with demonstrated ability to engage, motivate, and work effectively in matrixed teams; experience with public speaking and presenting complex information to diverse audiences
• **Education** : Bachelor's degree in a scientific or business-related discipline
• **Languages** : Native Japanese and business fluent English
• **Additional qualifications** : APICS and/or CPIM certification is a plus; experience in contract management and implementing OpEx principles (LEAN, Six Sigma) preferred
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**_Why choose us?_**
• 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
• Make the impossible possible for millions by contributing to breakthrough moments like the world's first RSV toddler vaccine
• Develop your career with access to mentoring, international mobility programs, and opportunities to grow across four continents
• Gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art digital and AI-powered manufacturing facilities as Person In Plant at leading CMO sites
• Enjoy a thoughtful, well-crafted rewards package that recognizes your contribution, including flexible working options, comprehensive healthcare, and well-being programs
• Join a workplace where diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core, with Employee Resource Groups and leadership programs that celebrate every voice
**_Special Working Conditions:_**
Hybrid remote/on-site position located in Nagoya area (presence at CMO sites at least 3 days per week will be required)
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Pursue _Progress_ . Discover _Extraordinary_ .
Join Sanofi and step into a new era of science - where your growth can be just as transformative as the work we do. We invest in you to reach further, think faster, and do what's never-been-done-before. You'll help push boundaries, challenge convention, and build smarter solutions that reach the communities we serve. Ready to chase the miracles of science and improve people's lives? Let's Pursue _Progress_ and Discover _Extraordinary_ – together.
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.
#LI-HYBRID
**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) !
Global Terms & Conditions and Data Privacy Statement (https://www.sanofi.com/en/careers/global-terms-and-conditions/)
Sanofi is dedicated to supporting people through their health challenges. We are a global biopharmaceutical company focused on human health. We prevent illness with vaccines, provide innovative treatments to fight pain and ease suffering. We stand by the few who suffer from rare diseases and the millions with long-term chronic conditions.
With more than 100,000 people in 100 countries, Sanofi is transforming scientific innovation into healthcare solutions around the globe. Discover more about us visiting www.sanofi.com or via our movie We are Sanofi (https://youtu.be/96EwNjb1TLo)
As an organization, we change the practice of medicine; reinvent the way we work; and enable people to be their best versions in career and life. We are constantly moving and growing, making sure our people grow with us. Our working environment helps us build a dynamic and inclusive workplace operating on trust and respect and allows employees to live the life they want to live.
All in for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Sanofi - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkpDBZ-CJKw&t=2s)
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