Product Owner Advanced Robotics

About Growing With Us

Sanofi is hiring key contributors to onboard Sanofi Digital transformation journey and to embrace the Digital capabilities. Global Engineering, including Advanced Robotics systems are a key component of this digital transformation. As part of Sanofi's digital transformation journey, we are pioneering the integration of advanced robotics to revolutionize pharmaceutical manufacturing, enhance operational excellence, and maintain our position as an industry leader.

As part of the global Digital Manufacturing MSAT & Engineering team, reporting to the Digital Global Engineering Product Line Owner, the Product Owner for Advanced Robotics is responsible for leading the development and implementation of innovative robotic solutions, including humanoid robots, Automated Mobile Robots (AMRs), and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) within Sanofi's pharmaceutical manufacturing and operations. This role focuses on leveraging advanced robotics to enhance efficiency, safety, and quality in production processes while ensuring compliance with GxP regulations and Sanofi's quality standards. This role will directly contribute to Sanofi's operational excellence by reducing manufacturing costs, improving product quality, enhancing worker safety, and accelerating time-to-market through innovative robotic solutions.

Main Responsibilities

• Robotics Strategy and Vision
• Develop and maintain the product vision for advanced robotics applications in pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Align robotics initiatives with Sanofi's digital transformation strategy and manufacturing goals
• Identify opportunities for implementing humanoid robots, AMRs, and AGVs to improve operations
• Product Development and Implementation
• Define and prioritize the product backlog for robotics solutionsCollaborate with global and local engineering teams to develop user stories and requirements for robotic systems
• Ensure integration of robotics with existing manufacturing systems and processes
• Ensure alignment to Sanofi cyber security, architecture, and Digital Technologies standards and guidelines
• Oversee the development of human-robot interaction interfaces for humanoid robots
• Own the definition, set up, and execution of test cases to ensure the solution meets both functional and non-functional requirements
• Regulatory Compliance and Validation
• Ensure robotic systems meet GxP requirements and Sanofi's quality standards
• Collaborate with Digital Risk Advisors and Global Engineering to develop validation strategies for robotic systems
• Maintain documentation for regulatory compliance, including risk assessments and validation reports
• Define KPIs for robotic system / fleet performance, including efficiency, accuracy, and uptime
• Analyse data from robotic operations to identify areas for improvement
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives for robotic systems
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to understand operational needs and challenges

• Performance Optimization

• Stakeholder Management

• Work with Digital and Engineering teams to ensure proper integration of robotic systems in existing and new IT / OT systems
• Engage with vendors and partners in the robotics industry to stay current with technological advancements
• With a “One Sanofi” mindset, collaborate with teams outside of Manufacturing, such as R&D to explore innovative applications of robotics in drug discovery and development
• Safety and Risk Management
• Ensure robotic systems comply with local governmental and Sanofi safety regulations and standards
• Conduct risk assessments for human-robot interactions, especially for humanoid robots
• Develop and implement safety protocols for humanoid robots, AMRs, and AGVs in manufacturing environments
• Training and Change Management
• Develop training programs for operators working with advanced robotic systems
• Lead change management initiatives to facilitate the adoption of robotic technologies
• Collaborate with Global Engineering, People & Culture, and local teams to develop comprehensive change management strategies to address cultural and organizational challenges associated with robotics implementation, focusing on upskilling existing workforce and demonstrating tangible benefits
• Create user guides and standard operating procedures for robotic systems

• Innovation And Research

• Stay informed about emerging trends in robotics, particularly in pharmaceutical applications
• Evaluate new robotics technologies for potential implementation in Sanofi's operations
• Lead proof-of-concept initiatives to evaluate emerging robotics technologies such as swarm robotics, soft robotics, or AI-powered autonomous decision-making systems for pharmaceutical applications
• Evaluate and implement robotics solutions that contribute to Sanofi's sustainability goals through energy efficiency, waste reduction, and resource optimization
• Robotics Strategy and Vision
• Develop and maintain the product vision for advanced robotics applications in pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Align robotics initiatives with Sanofi's digital transformation strategy and manufacturing goals
• Identify opportunities for implementing humanoid robots, AMRs, and AGVs to improve operations
• Product Development and Implementation
• Define and prioritize the product backlog for robotics solutionsCollaborate with global and local engineering teams to develop user stories and requirements for robotic systems
• Ensure integration of robotics with existing manufacturing systems and processes
• Ensure alignment to Sanofi cyber security, architecture, and Digital Technologies standards and guidelines
• Oversee the development of human-robot interaction interfaces for humanoid robots
• Own the definition, set up, and execution of test cases to ensure the solution meets both functional and non-functional requirements
• Regulatory Compliance and Validation
• Ensure robotic systems meet GxP requirements and Sanofi's quality standards
• Collaborate with Digital Risk Advisors and Global Engineering to develop validation strategies for robotic systems
• Maintain documentation for regulatory compliance, including risk assessments and validation reports
• Define KPIs for robotic system / fleet performance, including efficiency, accuracy, and uptime
• Analyse data from robotic operations to identify areas for improvement
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives for robotic systems
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to understand operational needs and challenges
• Work with Digital and Engineering teams to ensure proper integration of robotic systems in existing and new IT / OT systems
• Engage with vendors and partners in the robotics industry to stay current with technological advancements
• With a “One Sanofi” mindset, collaborate with teams outside of Manufacturing, such as R&D to explore innovative applications of robotics in drug discovery and development
• Safety and Risk Management
• Ensure robotic systems comply with local governmental and Sanofi safety regulations and standards
• Conduct risk assessments for human-robot interactions, especially for humanoid robots
• Develop and implement safety protocols for humanoid robots, AMRs, and AGVs in manufacturing environments
• Training and Change Management
• Develop training programs for operators working with advanced robotic systems
• Lead change management initiatives to facilitate the adoption of robotic technologies
• Collaborate with Global Engineering, People & Culture, and local teams to develop comprehensive change management strategies to address cultural and organizational challenges associated with robotics implementation, focusing on upskilling existing workforce and demonstrating tangible benefits
• Create user guides and standard operating procedures for robotic systems
• Stay informed about emerging trends in robotics, particularly in pharmaceutical applications
• Evaluate new robotics technologies for potential implementation in Sanofi's operations
• Lead proof-of-concept initiatives to evaluate emerging robotics technologies such as swarm robotics, soft robotics, or AI-powered autonomous decision-making systems for pharmaceutical applications
• Evaluate and implement robotics solutions that contribute to Sanofi's sustainability goals through energy efficiency, waste reduction, and resource optimization

About You

Minimum Experience & Knowledge Required

This Product Owner role requires a unique combination of technical knowledge in advanced robotics, understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, and strong product management skills. The focus should be on leveraging innovative robotic technologies to drive innovation and efficiency in Sanofi's manufacturing operations while maintaining strict compliance with quality and safety standards.

1.     Technical Expertise

• Strong understanding of robotics technologies, including humanoid robots, AMRs, and AGVs
• Knowledge of control systems, sensors, and AI/ML applications in robotics
• Familiarity with manufacturing execution systems (MES) and their integration with robotic systems
• Experience with collaborative robots (e.g., Universal Robots, KUKA, ABB), mobile robot platforms (e.g., MiR, Omron), or humanoid systems (e.g., Boston Dynamics Spot, Tesla Optimus) would be advantageous

2.    Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Knowledge

• Understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes and GMP requirements
• Knowledge of aseptic processing and cleanroom operations
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements for automated systems in pharma (e.g., GAMP 5)

3.    Project Management and Agile Methodologies

• Experience with Agile/Scrum methodologies for product development
• Strong project management skills to coordinate complex robotics implementations

4.    Data Analysis and Decision Making

• Ability to analyse performance data from robotic systems and make data-driven decisions
• Understanding of statistical process control in manufacturing environments

5.    Safety and Risk Management

• Knowledge of safety standards for industrial robots (e.g., ISO 10218, ISO 15066)
• Experience in conducting risk assessments for automated systems

6.    General Work Experience and Skills

•  7 years+ experience in relevant roles
• Very good communication level and engagement skills, both written and verbal
• Strong understanding and experience in Agile methodology and techniques
• Management of internal and external people
• Experience leading multi-department and multi-cultural teams: clarifying requirements, resolving conflicts, defining roadmap and driving progress
• Agile mindset and practices (Advanced)
• Digital strategy & governance (Advanced)
• Digital Project Management (Advanced)
•  7 years+ experience in relevant roles
• Very good communication level and engagement skills, both written and verbal
• Strong understanding and experience in Agile methodology and techniques
• Management of internal and external people
• Experience leading multi-department and multi-cultural teams: clarifying requirements, resolving conflicts, defining roadmap and driving progress
• Agile mindset and practices (Advanced)
• Digital strategy & governance (Advanced)
• Digital Project Management (Advanced)

Soft Skills

• Consumer Experience (Advanced)

• Application Design & Integration (Intermediate)
• Compliance of Computerized systems (Intermediate)

Success Metrics

• Measurable improvements in manufacturing efficiency, quality, and safety through robotics implementation
• Reduction in manual labour for repetitive or hazardous tasks
• Compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements for automated systems
• Successful implementation and adoption of advanced robotic systems in manufacturing processes
• User satisfaction scores from manufacturing teams working with robotic systems

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Information Technology or Engineering

Languages

• Fluent spoken and written English

When Joining Our Team, You Will Experience:

• If you have a passion for Engineering, Digital, and Robotics, and are looking for a challenging role where you can make a significant impact, we would love to hear from you.
• An international work environment, in which you can develop your talent and realize ideas and innovations within a competent global team.
• Your own career path within Sanofi. Your professional and personal development will be supported purposefully.

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, disability, or gender identity 
 
At Sanofi diversity and inclusion is foundational to how we operate and embedded in our Core Values. We recognize to truly tap into the richness diversity brings we must lead with inclusion and have a workplace where those differences can thrive and be leveraged to empower the lives of our colleagues, patients, and customers. We respect and celebrate the diversity of our people, their backgrounds and experiences and provide equal opportunity for all.

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 and check out our Diversity Equity and Inclusion actions at sanofi.com!