MES Development Operations Manager

Role Overview:

• The MES Development & Operations Manager is responsible for leading the development, deployment, integration, and ongoing operations of Manufacturing Execution System (MES) solutions at Sanofi, including Siemens OPCenter Execution Pharma, Koerber PAS-X (Werum), and Opstrakker (elogbook/eforms) in alignment with the expectations of the MES Technical Product/ Platforms Owner.
• This role combines technical expertise in MES development and deployment with strategic leadership to ensure the successful implementation and operation of MES across Sanofi's manufacturing sites. The manager will oversee a team of MES developers and deployment experts (technically & administratively), take the ownership/leadership of technical delivery of the team, operational excellence, and continuous improvement in alignment with the expectations of Technical Product Owner and MES capability Manager and to answer to the needs on manufacturing sites.

Main Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership and Management:
• Lead and manage a team of MES developers and deployment experts
• Drive knowledge building and skill development within the team
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and best practice sharing among team members
• Assess and enhance the technical capabilities of the team. Identify skill gaps and implement targeted training and development programs
• Create a collaborative environment that encourages innovation and problem-solving
• Facilitate resource allocation and management for various MES projects across Digital Manufacturing & Supply
• Support the MES Capability Manager and Product Owner (Platforms) through technical delivery, ensuring knowledge transfer, and contributing to operational excellence
• MES Development:
• Oversee the design, development, and maintenance of MES applications and interfaces
• Guide the team in developing robust, scalable, and maintainable code
• Ensure adherence to software development best practices and coding standards
• Lead code reviews and quality assurance processes
• Drive the adoption of agile development methodologies
• MES Deployment and Integration:
• Lead the planning and execution of MES deployments, updates, and migrations across manufacturing sites
• Oversee MES installation qualification (IQ) and operational qualification (OQ) processes
• Ensure smooth data flow and system interoperability between MES and other systems
• Guide the team in developing and implementing deployment strategies
• Oversee the creation and maintenance of system documentation
• Technical Strategy/ delivery and Innovation:
• Develop and maintain the technical roadmap for MES development and operations
• Stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends in manufacturing systems
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies and approaches to enhance MES capabilities
• Lead initiatives to improve system performance, scalability, and reliability
• Guide the strategic evaluation of technical options and assess/manage associated risks
• Operational Excellence:
• Establish and maintain operational frameworks for MES support and maintenance
• Implement metrics and KPIs to track system performance and team productivity
• Lead initiatives to optimize MES operations and reduce system downtime
• Ensure compliance with GxP regulations and industry standards
• Drive continuous improvement in MES operations and support processes
• Delivery and Project Management:
• Drive timely and high-quality delivery of MES development and deployment projects
• Establish and maintain delivery frameworks that ensure consistent, predictable outcomes
• Implement delivery metrics and KPIs to track performance, quality of service, and team productivity
• Lead risk mitigation strategies to address potential delivery challenges proactively
• Coordinate cross-functional implementation activities to ensure smooth deployment across different industrial sites
• Establish delivery governance to maintain transparency and accountability throughout the delivery lifecycle
• Oversee the implementation of various MES projects, maintaining accountability for the results delivered by the development and deployment teams
• Coordinate closely with Product Owner for Platforms, and also with Product Owners for Siemens OPCenter/ INOVA & Opstrakker to support development/ deployment/ migration projects
• Ensure optimal resource allocation and project outcomes
• Stakeholder Management:
• Collaborate with MES Product Owners, business stakeholders, and IT teams
• Communicate effectively with management on project status, risks, and resource needs
• Work with Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs teams to ensure compliance
• Build and maintain strong relationships across all organizational levels

About You

• Required Skills and Qualifications
• Experience & Knowledge:
• 12+ years of experience in software development and IT, with at least 8+ years focused on MES solutions: Siemens OPCenter, Koerber PAS-X, and Opstrakker
• Proven experience in people management and team leadership
• Strong track record of successfully managing and developing technical teams
• Demonstrated experience in managing delivery timelines, resources, and quality simultaneously
• Strong development background, including experience in designing and implementing complex software solutions for manufacturing environments
• Strong background in MES deployment, installation, updates, and migrations
• Experience with installation qualification (IQ) and operational qualification (OQ) processes
• Experience with pharmaceutical manufacturing processes and GxP regulations

Technical Skills:

• Strong expertise in MES solutions:
• Siemens OPCenter Execution Pharma
• Koerber PAS-X (Werum)
• Opstrakker (elogbook/eforms)
• MES development skills including .NET, SOAP, PowerShell, and scripting
• Strong expertise in MES installation, upgrade, and migration processes
• Experience in system qualification (IQ/OQ) and validation
• Proficiency in Mendix low-code development platform
• Experience with cloud technologies and cloud-native development
• Strong knowledge of database technologies and SQL
• Understanding of manufacturing processes and automation systems
• Experience with system integration and API development
• Knowledge of DevOps practices and tools
• Experience with Kubernetes is a plus

Leadership and Soft Skills:

• Demonstrated people management skills with ability to mentor, develop, and retain talent
• Strong leadership capabilities with proven ability to inspire and motivate teams
• Results-oriented approach with focus on delivery excellence and accountability
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, with ability to manage stakeholder expectations at all levels
• Strategic thinking and strong decision-making abilities, coupled with a proactive problem-solving mindset
• Customer-centric approach with focus on delivering value
• Change management expertise and adaptability to dynamic environments
• Collaborative team player experienced in matrix organizations
• Agile methodology practitioner with ability to manage competing priorities effectively
• Resilience and ability to work effectively under pressure

Education:

• Engineering degree or master's in computer science or related field (or equivalent experience)
• MBA or equivalent business management qualification is a plus
• Language: Fluency in English

Working Environment:

• Occasional travel requirement to manufacturing sites in Europe & North America
• Flexibility to contribute occasionally on operations out of working hours
• Global, matrix organization environment
• Must be able to work effectively across different time zones and cultures