Channel Launch and Execution Lead

Job Title: Channel Launch and Execution Lead

Location: Morristown, NJ, Cambridge, MA

About the Job

The Channel Launch & Execution Lead will serve as a strategic and operational leader within U.S. Market Access, responsible for developing and executing comprehensive distribution and trade strategies for all pipeline product launches across Sanofi’s U.S. portfolio, including General Medicines, Established Products, and Specialty Care. This highly visible role defines how life-changing therapies reach patients by optimizing access pathways, selecting appropriate channel partners, and ensuring launch excellence that supports both patient outcomes and commercial objectives.

The ideal candidate will combine strategic foresight with detailed operational execution, ensuring that every product launch is supported by a robust, compliant, and efficient trade and channel framework tailored to the specific market, therapeutic, and patient needs.

We are an innovative global healthcare company, committed to transforming the lives of people with immune challenges, rare diseases and blood disorders, cancers, and neurological disorders. From R&D to sales, our talented teams work together, revolutionizing treatment, continually improving products, understanding unmet needs, and connecting communities. We chase the miracles of science every single day, pursuing Progress to make a real impact on millions of patients around the world.

Main Responsibilities:

Launch Distribution Strategy Development

• Lead the end-to-end design and implementation of trade and distribution strategies for all U.S. product launches.

• Evaluate and recommend the most effective distribution model (e.g., full-line wholesaler, limited distribution, direct-to-provider, specialty pharmacy, or hybrid models) based on clinical profile, product logistics, patient support needs, and reimbursement landscape.

• Build the go-to-market strategy by identifying ideal 3PLs, wholesalers, pharmacies, and distribution hubs to ensure optimal product flow and channel access.

• Drive alignment with cross-functional stakeholders (Brand, Value & Access, PSS, Contracting, Data, Analytics) to co-develop a seamless and compliant patient access journey.

• Leverage data, market insights, and forecasting tools to support evidence-based decision-making and scenario planning.

Trade & Channel Partner Strategy

• Identify and lead contracting and negotiations with key trade partners including wholesalers, specialty pharmacies (SPs), 3PLs, and distribution service providers.

• Own the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, service-level negotiations, and ongoing partner performance assessments to meet product and brand-specific launch goals.

• Oversee partner onboarding and readiness, ensuring infrastructure, logistics, data connectivity, inventory management, and operational systems are in place prior to launch.

Cross-Functional Launch Collaboration

• Act as a core contributor to U.S. Launch Excellence and Go-To-Market (GTM) teams, integrating trade and distribution components into broader launch planning frameworks.

• Collaborate closely with Medical, Regulatory, Legal, Pricing, Finance, and Patient Services to ensure consistent alignment across all launch workstreams.

• Support gross-to-net modeling and channel affordability strategies through deep understanding of trade terms, service fees, and downstream implications.

Operational Launch Execution

• Define and track launch-critical path milestones, including product licensing, cold chain logistics, EDI setup, inventory placement, and order-to-cash readiness.

• Ensure product availability across all selected trade channels on Day One of launch with adequate safety stock and contingency planning in place.

• Coordinate cross-functional efforts to ensure systems are configured for accurate pricing, chargeback reconciliation, and product traceability.

Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

• Ensure all trade and distribution plans comply with U.S. federal and state regulations including FDA, DEA, DSCSA, PDMA, and Anti-Kickback Statute.

• Partner with Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance to build and maintain SOPs for product distribution, data exchange, and partner engagement practices.

Post-Launch Monitoring & Optimization

• Track and report on channel performance metrics including fulfillment rates, dispense time, provider and SP satisfaction, inventory velocity, and distribution costs.

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance speed to therapy, operational efficiency, and partner performance based on post-launch analytics.

• Evaluate opportunities for channel expansion or realignment post-launch as market conditions evolve or new data emerges.

About You

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA,  or other advanced degree or equal experience  strongly preferred.

• Minimum 7+ years of experience in pharmaceutical trade, channel management, or market access strategy with a proven focus on launch execution.

• Demonstrated expertise in designing and executing U.S. product launch distribution strategies within specialty and traditional product settings.

• Deep understanding of distribution networks, including specialty pharmacy models, wholesale channel operations, 3PL logistics, and direct-to-provider approaches.

• Solid grasp of the regulatory, legal, and compliance frameworks governing U.S. pharmaceutical distribution.

• Strategic thinker with strong operational acumen and an ability to manage multiple complex projects across a matrixed organization.

• Excellent project management, negotiation, stakeholder engagement, and written/verbal communication skills.

• Willingness to travel up to 50% for launch preparation, partner management, and cross-functional coordination.

Why Choose Us?

• Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future-focused team.

• Discover endless opportunities to grow your talent and drive your career, whether it’s through a promotion or lateral move, at home or internationally.

• Enjoy a thoughtful, well-crafted rewards package that recognizes your contribution and amplifies your impact.

• Take good care of yourself and your family, with a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits including high-quality healthcare, prevention and wellness programs and at least 14 weeks’ gender-neutral parental leave.

Sanofi Inc. and its U.S. affiliates are Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employers committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law

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All compensation will be determined commensurate with demonstrated experience. Employees may be eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs, and additional benefits information can be found here.