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Sustainability Program Lead

Sanofi • Canada • Added on Jun 26, 2026
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As the Sustainability Program Lead at Sanofis Toronto site, you will direct the execution of environmental programs focused on clean utilities and resource efficiency. You will take full ownership of the sites energy and water roadmaps, managing consumption data and overseeing the implementation of technical conservation projects. This is a hands-on leadership role where you translate global vision into local operational savings.

This position is essential for achieving Sanofis Planet Care ambitions within a complex pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. By managing energy management systems and optimizing industrial utilities, you directly reduce the carbon intensity of life-saving vaccine production. Your work ensures that scientific breakthroughs are delivered with the smallest possible environmental footprint, aligning industrial reliability with planetary boundaries.

This suits someone who possesses a strong engineering background and has the cross-functional influence to drive technical decarbonization projects within a highly regulated production facility. You are a data-driven expert who thrives on measurable environmental progress.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to bridge the gap between corporate sustainability strategy and site-level engineering execution. You will be responsible for developing and implementing environmental footprint reduction programs, with a heavy focus on utilities like natural gas, water, and electricity. This involves tracking consumption trends and setting reduction targets. You will also own the site's energy management governance and the implementation of ISO standards. This includes leading utility-related projects, overseeing environmental compliance for wastewater and emissions, and managing the associated utilities budget. Finally, you act as the local champion for global initiatives. This involves participating in international communities of practice to share best practices and utilizing digital monitoring tools to provide transparent, real-time reporting on the site's environmental performance.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain immense exposure to industrial-scale decarbonization strategies within one of the most strictly regulated sectors in the world. You will learn to navigate the technical complexities of maintaining sterile manufacturing environments while pursuing aggressive energy efficiency goals. Working within a global network offers the chance to master global sustainability frameworks and digital energy tools. You will likely receive training on specific manufacturing systems and lean methodologies, enhancing your ability to deliver high-impact technical projects. Additionally, the role provides a deep dive into compliance and auditing standards. Managing the lifecycle of energy certifications and interfacing with various safety and environmental teams will build robust expertise in environmental governance.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science and has significant experience in an industrial or manufacturing setting. Professional certifications such as a P.Eng or C.E.M. are highly preferred as they reflect the technical rigor required for this role. You should have a proven track record of managing technical projects and leading cross-functional teams. Success in this role requires being an effective communicator who can translate sustainability data into actionable business cases for stakeholders in Operations and Maintenance. Familiarity with environmental management systems and continuous improvement methodologies is essential. The role demands an analytical mindset capable of navigating large datasets to identify trends alongside the organizational skills to manage multi-year sustainability roadmaps.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, your application should highlight specific examples of quantifiable utility savings or environmental projects you have led. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact, such as percentage reductions in energy intensity or successful attainment of environmental certifications. Sanofi prioritizes technical excellence, so emphasize your understanding of the relationship between operational reliability and sustainability. Tailor your application to show you understand the specific challenges of sustainability in a sterile biopharma context. Demonstrate your experience in influencing stakeholders across departments. This role requires getting buy-in from various teams with competing priorities, so showing how you have successfully navigated these dynamics in the past will be a significant advantage.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

This role is a cornerstone of the site’s sustainability strategy, focusing on direct environmental impact categories. The primary focus is on energy efficiency and carbon reduction, ensuring the manufacturing site operates as cleanly as possible. There is also a significant focus on water stewardship and resource circularity. You will work to minimize waste and optimize water use within the utilities systems, ensuring the site meets both corporate goals and local environmental regulations. Lastly, the role emphasizes data-backed reporting. By utilizing digital monitoring systems, you ensure that the site's sustainability progress is transparently communicated to global stakeholders, supporting the company's transition to data-driven environmental management.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the primary challenges is balancing aggressive sustainability targets with the strict validation requirements of pharmaceutical manufacturing. Changes to industrial utilities must undergo rigorous checks, which can sometimes extend project timelines. Another challenge lies in cross-functional coordination. You will need to secure resources and time from operations teams who are focused on manufacturing targets. Successfully advocating for sustainability projects requires persistence and excellent stakeholder management. Managing large-scale data accuracy across multiple utility streams can also be complex. Ensuring that reporting remains consistent and high-quality across various digital platforms requires diligent attention to detail and technical troubleshooting.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day begins with reviewing utilities consumption data to identify any optimization opportunities or anomalies. You might then participate in huddles with the Engineering team to discuss the progress of energy or water conservation projects. Mid-day, your focus might shift to stakeholder governance. This could involve chairing a sustainability committee meeting or collaborating with site leadership on long-term resource roadmaps. You will also spend time on the production floor checking on technical implementations. Afternoons are often spent on strategic planning and global alignment. You might join calls with international peers to share best practices or work on the financial business cases for upcoming environmental capital projects.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

Growth at Sanofi is supported through a global internal mobility program. Success in this role can lead to senior leadership positions within Global Engineering, HSE, or Corporate Sustainability divisions across the world. There are also specialized paths for technical development. You could become a subject matter expert in industrial decarbonization or water circularity, skills that are increasingly in demand as the pharmaceutical industry pursues net-zero goals. Additionally, the role offers a springboard into site management. Moving from leading sustainability programs into broader operational or engineering leadership roles is a common path for those who demonstrate strong project and stakeholder management capabilities.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Your primary internal collaborators are the Engineering and Maintenance teams who help implement technical upgrades. You will also work closely with the HSE department to ensure all projects align with safety and environmental regulations. Quality and Operations are critical stakeholders because sustainability initiatives often intersect with validated manufacturing processes. You must work with Quality Assurance to ensure that modifications to utilities do not impact product integrity. Externally, you will interact with global sustainability teams and international communities of practice. You may also deal with external energy auditors, utility providers, and local regulatory bodies regarding environmental compliance.

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