About the role
Position Overview
The People Business Partner (PBP) for Manufacturing & Supply (M&S) Greater China serves as a strategic P&C leader and trusted advisor to the M&S leadership team across Greater China. This role is pivotal in driving Sanofi's landmark InsuLINK investment — the company's largest-ever single investment in China — while orchestrating the people agenda across 3 mature manufacturing sites (Suzhou, Hangzhou, Beijing) and 1 greenfield IFB site (Beijing), as well as Greater China Supply Chain and Quality functions.
Reporting to the Global Head of People, Manufacturing & Supply, this role operates in a complex matrixed environment, partnering with China P&C, site heads, Global SCM, and Global Quality to deliver transformational people outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Business Partnership
- Serve as the primary P&C strategic advisor to M&S Greater China leadership (L4+), translating business strategy into actionable people plans
- Partner with Global M&S PBP Head and China P&C leadership to align people strategies with M&S modernization and "China for Global" manufacturing transformation
- Provide expert P&C counsel on complex, multi-site organizational challenges spanning distinct lifecycle stages (mature operations + greenfield)
- Contribute market intelligence and local business insights to global P&C CoE program design
2. Organizational Design & Transformation
- Lead organizational design and right-sizing initiatives across all M&S Greater China sites in alignment with TOM evolution
- Drive change management for M&S modernization programs, including manufacturing digitalization and IFB scale-up
- Shape and execute P&C plans for major business transformations (e.g., InsuLINK greenfield launch, supply chain restructuring)
- Anticipate future capability needs and provide expert consultation on optimal organizational structures
3. Talent Strategy & Workforce Planning
- Develop and execute strategic workforce planning across M&S Greater China, covering IFB scale-up and manufacturing digitalization talent requirements
- Build and maintain talent pipelines for critical M&S roles, partnering with Talent Acquisition for proactive talent mapping
- Drive talent density initiatives: identify gaps, activate internal mobility, optimize succession plans for critical positions (L4+)
- Collaborate with Talent & Learning CoE to design capability-building programs aligned with M&S transformation needs
- Advise senior leaders on build/buy/borrow talent strategies
4. Leadership Coaching & Development
- Coach and develop M&S site heads and functional leaders on leadership effectiveness, Sanofi behaviors, and culture
- Facilitate high-impact people decisions with data-driven insights and strategic recommendations
- Support leadership team development across multi-site, multi-cultural manufacturing environment
- Lead and develop a team of 4 direct reports, ensuring consistent P&C delivery across all sites
5. Performance & Rewards Management
- Guide M&S leaders through performance management cycles, calibration processes, and incentivization frameworks
- Partner with Rewards & Performance CoE to ensure competitive and equitable compensation structures across manufacturing sites
- Drive performance culture aligned with Sanofi's Play to Win strategy
6. Compliance & Employee Relations
- Ensure full compliance with China regulatory requirements (NMPA) and international standards (FDA, EMA, PMDA, TGA) from a people and labor perspective
- Navigate complex employee relations matters across multi-site manufacturing operations
- Ensure all P&C practices align with China labor law and Sanofi global standards
- Manage labor relations and social compliance across Greater China M&S sites
Required Qualifications
Experience
- 15+ years of progressive HR/P&C experience
- 8+ years as Senior PBP or HR Director in pharma, biologics, or high-end manufacturing environments
- 5+ years managing P&C teams with proven leadership capability
- Demonstrated track record of strategic partnership with country/site leadership (L4+) and global functional leaders (Quality, Operations, Supply Chain)
- Proven experience in transformation and change management in complex, matrixed organizations
- Deep understanding of China regulatory environment and manufacturing strategy
Skills & Competencies
- Strategic Thinking (Advanced): Designs scalable, systemic solutions; builds strategic talent pipelines and ecosystem partnerships
- Business Partnership (Advanced): Trusted advisor to senior leaders; translates business needs into P&C strategies
- Workforce Planning (Advanced): Orchestrates talent development across complex, multi-site operations
- Organizational Design (Advanced): Shapes operating models for transformation and growth
- Change Management (Advanced): Leads people through complex organizational transitions
- Data & Insights (Experienced): Leverages people analytics for strategic decision-making
- Cross-Cultural Management (Advanced): Navigates global matrix with local execution capability
- Stakeholder Management (Advanced): Manages complex stakeholder landscape across global and local functions
Education
- Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field preferred
Language
- Bilingual: Mandarin and English (both written and spoken) required
Preferred Qualifications
- Direct manufacturing site HR experience (greenfield launch, product lifecycle, or major capital investment)
- Experience with global supply chain or "China for Global" manufacturing models
- International assignment or global mobility experience
- Exposure to biologics or insulin manufacturing environments
- Experience navigating multi-regulatory environments (FDA, EMA, NMPA concurrently)
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!
Aplyr's read
Sanofi is a leading global healthcare company specializing in therapeutic solutions for complex diseases, attracting professionals passionate about innovation in human health.
What's promising
- •Sanofi has a strong focus on innovative therapies for diabetes, oncology, and rare diseases.
- •The company invests heavily in research and development, ensuring a robust pipeline of new treatments.
- •Sanofi's global presence offers diverse career opportunities in various healthcare sectors.
What to watch
- •The pharmaceutical industry faces intense regulatory scrutiny, which can impact Sanofi's operations.
- •Sanofi's competitive market requires constant innovation to maintain its leadership position.
- •Global operations may lead to complexities in supply chain and regulatory compliance.
Why Sanofi
- •Sanofi's emphasis on rare diseases sets it apart in the pharmaceutical industry.
- •The company has a dedicated focus on immunology, offering specialized career paths.
- •Sanofi's commitment to global health solutions differentiates it from competitors.
Aplyr’s read is generated by AI from public sources. Was it useful?
About Sanofi
Sanofi is a global healthcare company focused on human health. It develops and provides therapeutic solutions in areas such as diabetes, oncology, immunology, and rare diseases.
Similar roles
Project Manager – Industrial Refrigeration
Johnson Controls
Critical Systems Commissioning Lead – BMS Controls
Johnson Controls
Material Program Manager
RTX/Raytheon
STAGE 2027 - Intégration des méthodes Low-Tech en conception industrielle (ALL GENDER)
Airbus
STAGE 2027 - Optimisation de la certification des modifications systèmes avioniques (h/f)
Airbus
HR & Payroll Operations Specialist
Ecolab