Global CMC Automation and Robotics Leader

Role Summary

Global CMC Automation & Robotics Leader who defines, leads, and executes the automation and robotics strategy across global CMC functions. Builds and leads a team of automation & robotics experts to support embedded automation teams, collaborating with CMC function leads and the Sanofi Digital team to drive an automation transformation in process development. Supports matrix teams across the US, France, and Germany to reduce development cycles, improve process robustness, and increase productivity.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement a comprehensive strategy for lab automation & robotics including automation platforms, mobile robots, co-bots, and humanoid robots across CMC
• Build and lead a team of advanced automation & robotics experts to support the CMC functions with their automation roadmap
• Support the embedded Automation & Robotics teams in individual CMC global functions in terms of vendor alignment, Capex preparation, strategic workforce hiring, and alignment on automation platforms used across Global CMC
• Accelerate the implementation of Automation & Robotics in Global CMC, demonstrating project timeline acceleration, process productivity, and project team productivity
• Develop automation strategies, implement related roadmaps and track execution while delivering tangible Business Value
• Align the CMC strategy with similar initiatives across other Sanofi functions
• Collaborate directly with the Sanofi Digital team, leveraging technical expertise and participating in joint governance processes

Qualifications

• Required: 10+ years of experience in an industrial or laboratory setting with strong global project management capabilities
• Required: Ph.D. in a relevant scientific field (preference for Automation, Robotics, or Engineering Sciences with industrial applications)

Skills

• Deep understanding of scheduling and orchestration software for laboratory automation
• Demonstrated experience in running projects requiring change management and transversal collaboration
• Device driver development and deployment: IVI-COM, IVI-D, RESTful, Virtual
• Proven record of implementation of automation & robotics in industrial environment - Life Science or others
• Experience with installing and programming standard interface devices: Serial, PCI, I/O, ethernet, PCB, embedded computers
• In-depth knowledge about programming and deploying SCARA, 6-axis, and cartesian robots
• Experience with modern AGV mission and fleet management servers and software
• Skilled in integrating robotic middleware with low-level firmware and high-level AI/ML modules
• Advanced automation architecture design – ISA-95 levels of automation and IIoT deployment
• Expertise in AI-driven robotics and perception systems (e.g. computer vision, sensor fusion)
• Proven experience in implementing innovative solutions with Automation and robots in laboratory settings
• Demonstrated global exposure and stakeholder management experience

Education

• Ph.D. in a relevant scientific field ( Automation, Robotics, or Engineering Sciences preferred )

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed