Senior Specialist - Quality Assurance (Night shift)

AstraZeneca; Macclesfield; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca plc is seeking a Senior Specialist - Quality Assurance to lead QA for aseptic manufacturing and packaging on the night shift at Macclesfield. You will provide GMP and aseptic processing expertise, ensure cleanroom compliance, and support timely product release.

This role safeguards patient safety and regulatory compliance while contributing to value stream performance. Essential experience includes strong GMP knowledge, aseptic processing, and cross-functional collaboration in lean

Qualifications

• Degree in a scientific discipline with a clear grasp of quality assurance and lean manufacturing.
• Strong GMP knowledge with EU GMP Annex 1, ICH Q9/Q10, and data integrity principles.
• Aseptic processing or packing knowledge, including cleanroom behaviours and contamination control.
• Cross-functional collaboration in a lean manufacturing environment.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with ability to coach operators and technicians.

Responsibilities

• Provide QA leadership and oversight for aseptic manufacturing and packaging operations on the night shift.
• Advise on deviations, lead or contribute to root cause analyses, and agree CAPAs.
• Support product release activities ensuring batch documentation and data integrity.
• Lead or support change controls ensuring validated state and regulatory alignment.
• Contribute to quality systems execution, including PQR, quality risk management, and metric updates.

Skills

Quality assurance

Lean manufacturing

GMP knowledge

Communication skills

Decision making

Night shift

Education

Degree in scientific discipline

Job description

Job Title: 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 thequality assurancefunction, along with a strong understanding ofother business functionsand how they work together to achievebusiness objectivesin alean manufacturingenvironment.
• 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

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.