Associate Director, Biologics Manufacturing Ops (24/7)

AstraZeneca plc; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca plc in Dublin is seeking an Associate Director, Manufacturing Operations to lead end-to-end biologics drug substance manufacturing and warehouse operations. You will drive schedule adherence, champion digital and AI initiatives, and guide 24/7 operations with a focus on safety, quality and flow.

You will partner across QA, EHS, Engineering, and Technical Services, coaching leaders and preparing the site for inspections while delivering reliable supply to patients.

Qualifications

• 12+ years pharma experience overseeing Drug Substance operations
• Proven troubleshooting in upstream and downstream DS operations
• Strong people management, communication and decision‑making
• Experience coaching and developing leaders and high‑performance culture
• Led Lean/digital or AI‑enabled transformation in regulated manufacturing
• Ability to influence and build relationships with senior partners and authorities
• Experience with biological drug substance manufacturing
• Project leadership with headcount and budget management
• Experience with capacity expansion and NPI work
• Experience with 24/7 shift operations

Responsibilities

• Lead adherence to the production plan and schedule across shifts
• Embed right‑first‑time, cGMP, safety and compliance on the floor
• Provide hands‑on coaching to shift teams for real‑time performance gains
• Drive robust RCA, CAPA programs and trend analysis
• Oversee safe, compliant warehouse activities and material flow
• Collaborate with EHS, QA, QC, Engineering and Technical Services
• Drive readiness for new builds, systems and product introductions
• Prepare for regulatory inspections with evidence of control and improvement
• Scale Lean, digital and AI solutions to improve safety, quality and productivity
• Establish operational metrics to drive continuous improvement
• Develop leaders and teams through coaching and accountability
• Represent Operations to senior partners and external stakeholders

Skills

Pharma leadership

Team management

Troubleshooting

Lean/AI transformation

Stakeholder influence

Biologics DS

Project leadership

Capacity planning

24/7 operations

Regulatory mindset

Education

Biology/Chemistry/Biochemistry/Engineering

MS/PhD/MBA advantageous

Job description

AstraZeneca plc in Dublin is seeking an Associate Director, Manufacturing Operations to lead end-to-end biologics drug substance manufacturing and warehouse operations. You will drive schedule adherence, champion digital and AI initiatives, and guide 24/7 operations with a focus on safety, quality and flow.

You will partner across QA, EHS, Engineering, and Technical Services, coaching leaders and preparing the site for inspections while delivering reliable supply to patients.