Associate Director Lean – 12 Month Secondment / Fixed Term Contract

AstraZeneca plc; Macclesfield; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca plc in Macclesfield invites an Associate Director, Lean for a 12 month secondment. You will partner with Process Execution Teams to drive operational excellence, embed Lean through AZSS, and deliver tangible site improvements.

The role requires leadership of cross-functional improvement portfolios, coaching Lean facilitators, and driving KPI performance across manufacturing. This fixed-term contract offers an impactful opportunity within a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in a Manufacturing/Engineering field or equivalent.
• Proven experience leading Operational Excellence (Lean/TPM) and Digital Manufacturing initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing and supply chain processes.
• Understanding GMP, Safety, Environment, SOPs, regulatory standards, and project management.

Responsibilities

• Provide Lean expertise to support the development of the Macclesfield Operations Manufacturing Excellence strategy and champion workstreams.
• Lead PET Manufacturing Excellence plans aligned with site priorities and scorecards.
• Drive improvements using Lean principles, AZSS, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Build PET capability in Manufacturing Excellence, AZSS, KPI management and standard practices.
• Influence and improve ways of working by standardising processes with Process and Leadership Teams.
• Lead PET and site improvement portfolios delivering defined business outcomes.
• Represent PETs in governance and support BPM-related maturity of processes.
• Coach and develop Lean Facilitators to sustain Lean behaviours.
• Lead cross-functional improvement initiatives to enhance plant utilisation and reliability.
• Analyse KPIs to support operational targets and present actionable insights to senior leaders.
• Deploy PET continuous improvement strategies and annual target setting.

Skills

Lean leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Data-driven decisions

Value Stream Mapping

Root Cause Analysis

Project management

Stakeholder management

Education

Engineering degree (Manufacturing/Mechanical/Electrical)

Tools

AZSS

Six Sigma tools

Job description

Associate Director Lean – 12 Month Secondment / Fixed Term Contract

Macclesfield

At AstraZeneca, we are driven by our commitment to deliver accelerated growth and to make people's lives better. We thrive in our often intense and ambiguous environment, seeking out new challenges and working towards new solutions. We are part of an inclusive and giving community, supporting each other on our journeys. We are leading the way in delivering Lean processes that drive greater efficiency and speed. Sustainable practices are at the heart of what we do, ensuring we manage our environmental impact across all our activities and products.

We are now looking for an Associate Director Lean to join our team on a 12 month secondment / Fixed Term Contract!

Introduction to the role

The Associate Director, Lean is a key member of the Lean Team, partnering with one or more Process Execution Teams (PETs) to drive operational excellence and continuous improvement. The role provides process, operational and project leadership, management and expertise to embed a culture of Lean through the adoption of the AstraZeneca Supply System (AZSS), establish effective Lean standard practices, and strengthen Lean capability across PET leadership teams and members. By coaching, facilitating, teaching and leading by example, the Associate Director Lean aligns and prioritises activities that support delivery of the PET strategy and scorecard, with a strong focus on achieving tangible outcomes through direct engagement with process teams.

Accountabilities:

• Provide Lean expertise to support the development of the Macclesfield Operations Manufacturing Excellence strategy and champion assigned workstreams.

• Lead the development and execution of PET Manufacturing Excellence plans, ensuring alignment with PET scorecards, business priorities, and site Lean strategies.

• Drive improvements in manufacturing performance through the effective use of Lean principles, AZSS, and continuous improvement methodologies.

• Build PET capability in Manufacturing Excellence, AZSS, and manufacturing KPI management, embedding standard practices, problem-solving capability, and continuous improvement behaviours.

• Influence and improve ways of working by implementing standardised processes in partnership with Process Teams and Leadership Teams.

• Lead PET and site improvement portfolios, delivering agreed business outcomes and sustainable benefits.

• Provide subject matter expertise in Manufacturing Excellence, maintaining awareness of emerging technologies (digital) and industry best practices, and assessing their application within the business.

• Manage PET Lean Maturity Reviews (AZSSMR) and delivery of improvement actions, ensuring alignment with PET and site strategic objectives.

• Represent PETs within BPM governance, supporting BPOs and EPOs in the development and maturity of business processes.

• Provide governance and leadership to PET Improvement Councils.

• Lead local Manufacturing Excellence and Six Sigma networks, ensuring alignment with site priorities and the sharing of best practices across PETs.

• Coach, mentor, and develop Lean Facilitators, ensuring delivery of activities aligned to PET and site Manufacturing Excellence objectives.

• Identify, scope, and lead cross-functional improvement initiatives that enhance plant utilisation, improve operational performance, and minimise supply chain impacts.

• Analyse and drive improvement of key manufacturing KPIs, performance losses, reliability, and productivity measures, to support achievement of operational targets.

• Present recommendations, insights, and improvement opportunities to senior leaders, influencing decision-making and strategic direction.

• Lead the deployment of PET continuous improvement strategies, annual target setting, and delivery of performance commitments.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Educated to degree level in Manufacturing, Operational, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering or related technical/business field (or equivalent experience)

• Proven experience leading Operational Excellence (Lean/TPM programmes) and Digital Manufacturing (Industry 4.0) initiatives that deliver measurable business results.

• Strong working knowledge of manufacturing and supply chain processes.

• Sound understanding of manufacturing and/or engineering processes, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Safety, Health & Environment, Standard Operating Procedures, regulatory and compliance standards, and project management.

• Proven ability to analyse, interpret and improve manufacturing Key Performance Indicators, including Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), productivity, quality, cost, delivery and reliability metrics.

• Experience deploying (digital) Lean tools and methodologies including Value Stream Mapping, Visual Management, Standard Work, Problem Solving, Kaizen, Root Cause Analysis and Performance Management systems.

• Demonstrated capability in coaching, mentoring and developing leaders and teams to build sustainable continuous improvement capability and embed Lean behaviours.

• Strong facilitation, stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to drive change across cross-functional teams and leadership levels.

• Experience leading cross-functional improvement projects from identification and scoping through implementation and benefit realisation.

• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills.

At AstraZeneca, we are leading our Operations function at an exciting time of growth and evolution. We pioneer new approaches and processes across our sites, empowering our teams to foster a Lean mindset and sustainable practices. Every change we make is to deliver better outcomes for our patients. We are the champions of Lean, ensuring our teams understand and embody the benefits it can bring. There's improved quality and safety, as well as speed. Our manufacturing sites are environments of constant and rapid change. It's a place to expect the unexpected. There's rarely an obvious answer to the varied challenges we face, so it takes adaptability, flexibility and patience to thrive here.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions.

Ready to take the next step in your career?

Date Posted

28-Sept-2026

Closing Date

12-Oct-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.