Head of Engineering & Maintenance - Lyophilisation

Sanofi; Munster; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Sanofi Waterford in Ireland seeks a Head of Engineering & Maintenance for Lyophilisation to lead all related engineering and maintenance activities. You will drive compliant operations across batch filling, lyophilisation loading/unloading, and maintenance programs while guiding a skilled team towards operational excellence.

The role requires a strong background in pharmaceutical manufacturing, cGMP knowledge, and proven leadership in an autonomous production unit.

Qualifications

• Higher level Degree in Engineering or equivalent.
• Experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing is essential.
• Knowledge of cGMP regulations and sterile lyophilisation processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead Lyophilisation engineering & maintenance activities across batch filling and loading/unloading.
• Ensure activities comply with cGMP, Safety and Engineering Standards.
• Deliver and maintain the maintenance strategy: Corrective, Preventative, Predictive.
• Monitor and drive maintenance KPIs (WO, PMs, MTBF/MTTR, permits, LOTO).
• Ensure equipment reliability strategy supports cGMP requirements.
• Train employees on SOPs and GMP requirements relevant to their roles.
• Define and follow procedures; ensure GMP compliance through audits and reviews.
• Lead continuous improvement programs to reduce cost of goods sold.
• Manage maintenance spend including budget, headcount, parts and services.

Skills

Problem solving

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Facilitation

KPI understanding

Safety awareness

Regulatory awareness

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

Job description

Job Title: Head of Engineering & Maintenance - Lyophilisation

• Location: Waterford Ireland


• Job Type: Permanent, Full-time


• Working Arrangement: 5 Days On-Site

About The Role

Reporting directly to the Head of Site Engineering & Maintenance and as a leader for Sanofi, you will play an integral role within the Lyophilisation Autonomous Production Unit management team, ensuring reliable supply of lyophilised vial products for our rare disease patients globally.

Join 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.

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

• Lead all assigned Lyophilisation engineering & maintenance activities to ensure that objectives are met across batch filling & Lyophilisation (Loading/unloading), batch turnaround time, batch release cycle time, annual shutdown planning, project/program implementation, CI plans, etc.


• Ensure all activities are undertaken in compliance with cGMP (FDA 21 CFR Part 211, EU GMP Annex 1), Safety and Engineering Standards


• Timely execution of maintenance strategy (Corrective, Preventative, Predictive Maintenance


• Ensure compliance across maintenance KPIs (Work orders, PMs, MTBF/MTTR, permits, LOTO, etc)


• Ensure equipment reliability strategy is deployed and sufficient for cGMP


• Ensure all employees, for which they are responsible, are trained against SOPs and GMP requirements relevant to their job


• Ensure procedures are correctly defined and followed


• Monitor the level of GMP compliance in their area on an on-going basis through audit, deviations and GMP document reviews


• Develop and improve the effectiveness of training on a regular basis


• Develop and lead a continuous improvement program that will result in savings to COGs


• Manage maintenance spend (Budget, headcount, parts, services)

About You

Essential requirements

• Higher level Degree in Third level Engineering qualification or equivalent


• Significant experience as an Engineering & Maintenance Manager/ other Management role


• Demonstrable experience of pharmaceutical manufacturing environment


• Engineering & Maintenance standards applied across the life cycle asset management


• Technical knowledge of relevant sterile filling and lyophilisation technology


• Detailed knowledge of cGMP regulations


• Good problem solving and analytical skills


• Effective facilitator & Excellent interpersonal skills


• Influences site KPI’s and drives area improvement


• Full understanding of Health & Safety and legal requirements for the safe operation of the team

It Would Be Advantageous To Have (not Essential)

• Engineering & Maintenance technical expertise in sterile filling and lyophilisation


• Engineering & Maintenance management experience in a pharmaceutical environment


• Engineering & Maintenance proven track record in working in a highly regulated industry

Why choose us?

• Shape the future of medicine and vaccine delivery with cutting-edge technology, ensuring seamless launches and a resilient global supply.


• Transform lives worldwide by delivering life-changing treatments anywhere, anytime.


• Grow, thrive, and make an impact in a workplace that empowers you to bring your best self every day, with pride.


• Help deliver 30+ new product launches by 2030, ensuring patients get treatments faster than ever.