Associate Director, Contract Management - Scientific Services

AstraZeneca; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca in Cambridge is seeking an Associate Director, Contract Management – Scientific Services to lead governance of outsourced laboratory services, ensure service levels, and align objectives across stakeholders including users, leaders and suppliers.

The role is on site; you will oversee supplier performance, manage purchase orders and invoicing, drive risk management and continuity plans, and contribute to Revenue and Capital budgets for the Scientific Services group.

Qualifications

• Graduate calibre or equivalent.
• In-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical business operations.
• Good working knowledge of the facility management industry.
• Sound understanding of Lean principles and process improvement.

Responsibilities

• Provides governance for outsourced service providers in Scientific Services.
• Collaborates with AZ Procurement for commercial compliance.
• Maintains contract management records and quality activities.
• Offers strategic oversight and targets for outsourced providers.
• Monitors contract implementation and compliance with SLAs and regulations.
• Develops service supply plans with key collaborators.
• Leads contract review meetings and escalation for supplier delivery issues.
• Manages PO validity, invoice reconciliation and disputes.
• Develops risk management and business continuity plans.
• Contributes to budgeting for Scientific Services.

Skills

Contract management

Supplier performance

Stakeholder management

Lean principles

Education

Graduate calibre or equivalent

Job description

Position: Associate Director, Contract Management – Scientific Services

Location: Cambridge (on-site role)

Competitive Salary & Exceptional Company Benefits

Application Closing Date: 22 September 2026

About AstraZeneca

In this role, you will ensure the continuous delivery of high-quality Scientific Services across laboratory equipment maintenance, laboratory support and waste services for internal business customers. The primary purpose of the role is to align objectives and manage relationships across key Scientific Services stakeholders, including the laboratory user community, laboratory leaders and supplier organisations. You will provide contract management expertise, oversee supplier performance and ensure compliance with service agreements and relevant SHE and GxP requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides governance for a variety of outsourced service providers in Scientific Services, ensuring alignment with business needs.
• Collaborates with AZ Procurement to ensure commercial compliance and industry regulations.
• Maintains contract management records and conducts quality management activities.
• Offers strategic oversight, direction, and targets for outsourced service providers.
• Monitors contract implementation, execution, and performance to ensure compliance with service level agreements and regulatory guidelines.
• Develops and implements service supply plans, obtaining commitment from key collaborators.
• Leads contract review meetings and serves as the operational point of escalation for supplier delivery issues.
• Manages validity of purchase orders, invoice reconciliation, and payment dispute resolution.
• Develops and maintains risk management and business continuity plans for the service group.
• Contributes to the development of Revenue and Capital budgets associated with Scientific Services.
• Ensures alignment, connectivity, and engagement with services in the Scientific Services delivery chain and other AstraZeneca service functions.

Essential

• Requires an individual of graduate calibre or with an equivalent level of experience
• In depth knowledge of the operational needs of pharmaceutical business
• Good working knowledge of the facility management industry
• Sound understanding of Lean principles and the process options for improvement

Desirable

• Facilities Management qualification
• Qualification in Lean Six Sigma or other process improvement methodology
• CIPS qualification

Date Posted
08-Sept-2026

Closing Date
22-Sept-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.