Senior Specialist - Quality Assurance

Astrazeneca; Macclesfield; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca plc in Macclesfield invites an experienced Senior Specialist – Quality Assurance to lead QA oversight for aseptic manufacturing and packaging on the night shift. You will ensure regulatory compliance, data integrity, and timely product release while guiding the PET team on GMP and aseptic practices.

Responsibilities include deviations/CAPA management, change controls, and quality systems execution, with emphasis on lean improvement and collaboration with cross-functional teams to

Qualifications

• Degree in a scientific discipline with understanding of QA in pharma.
• Strong knowledge of GMP and EU GMP Annex 1 and data integrity principles.
• Experience with aseptic processing or packaging and cleanroom controls.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills; able to coach operators.
• Willingness to work permanent night shift.

Responsibilities

• Provide QA leadership and oversight for aseptic manufacturing and packaging on the night shift.
• Support or perform product release activities ensuring batch documentation and data integrity.
• Advise on deviations, lead root cause analysis, and agree CAPAs.
• Lead or support change controls ensuring regulatory alignment.
• Contribute to PQR, quality risk management, and QA metrics.

Skills

Quality Assurance

Aseptic Processing

GMP

Change Control

Data Integrity

Lean Manufacturing

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline

Tools

PQR system

Job description

Senior Specialist – Quality Assurance

Night Shift (4 on, 4 off)

Location: Macclesfield

Competitive salary and benefits

Introduction to role:

Are you ready to make a significant impact in the world of aseptic manufacturing and packing? The Senior Specialist – Quality Assurance is accountable for delivering QA leadership and oversight for aseptic manufacturing and packaging operations on the night shift. You will provide GMP and aseptic processing expertise, assure cleanroom compliance, influence operational decisions within the Process Execution Team (PET), and support timely and compliant product release. This role is pivotal in safeguarding patient safety, regulatory compliance, and value stream performance.

Accountabilities:

• Cleanroom and Aseptic Oversight: Provide technical guidance on cleanroom standards, aseptic techniques, and environmental controls aligned to current EU GMP Annex 1 and internal procedures.
• Deviation and CAPA Management: Advise on deviations, lead or contribute to root cause analysis, and agree CAPAs to prevent recurrence and improve process robustness.
• Product Quality/Release Support: Support or perform product release activities as required, ensuring batch documentation, data integrity, and compliance.
• GMP Training and Coaching: Complete required PET GMP training and coach manufacturing personnel on cGMP, aseptic behaviours, data integrity, and contamination control.
• Compliance and Continuous Improvement: Proactively identify compliance risks and opportunities for business improvement, efficiency savings, and lean optimization.
• Change Control: Lead or support local/cross-functional change controls ensuring validated state and regulatory alignment.
• Quality Systems Execution: Contribute to PQR, quality risk management, metrics (e.g., deviations, CAPA effectiveness), and documentation updates.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Degree (or equivalent) in a scientific discipline (e.g., pharmacy, microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry, engineering). A clear, comprehensive grasp of the quality assurance function, along with a strong understanding of other business functions and how they work together to achieve business objectives in a lean manufacturing environment.
• Quality Assurance in Pharmaceutical Manufacture with strong understanding of cross-functional operations in a lean environment.
• Aseptic Processing or Packing knowledge, including cleanroom behaviours and contamination control principles.
• Current GMP Knowledge and working familiarity with EU GMP Annex 1, ICH Q9/Q10, and data integrity principles.
• Communication and Influencing skills with cultural awareness; ability to coach operators and technicians.
• Decision-Making within general operating guidelines using risk-based, science-led judgment.
• Permanent Night Shift availability.

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Experience in Aseptic Manufacturing operations and sterile packaging lines.
• Microbiology Experience, including environmental monitoring, sterility assurance concepts, and interpretation of microbiological data.
• Quality Risk Management application (FMEA, HACCP).

At AstraZeneca, we are committed to quality that goes beyond compliance—driven by a proactive, science-based approach that prioritizes patient safety and product excellence. We foster an inclusive community where collaboration is key, allowing us to innovate and adapt swiftly. With a focus on growth and innovation, you'll find endless opportunities to develop your expertise and contribute to groundbreaking advancements in healthcare!

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Date Posted: 30-Oct-2026

Closing Date: 14-Nov-2026