Associate Director, Manufacturing Operations

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

Introduction to role:

Are you ready to lead end-to-end biologics drug substance manufacturing and warehouse operations, applying AI and Lean thinking to deliver reliable supply for patients with rare and severe conditions? Do you want to shape a high-performing, right-first-time culture across 24/7 operations while elevating safety, quality and flow?

As Associate Director, Manufacturing Operations, you will provide technical leadership to cGMP drug substance and warehouse operations at our Dublin manufacturing facility in Ireland. You will work shoulder-to-shoulder with manufacturing and core warehouse teams, partnering closely with EHS, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Engineering/Maintenance and Technical Services. You will drive schedule adherence, champion responsible digital and AI adoption, and introduce new products and process improvements in collaboration with new product introduction and technical operations teams.

A core member of the site Operations Leadership Team, you will coach and develop leaders and teams, represent Operations with internal and external stakeholders, and prepare the organization for inspections and growth. Your work will directly ensure the safe, compliant and efficient delivery of the production plan—turning operational excellence into dependable supply for patients who depend on us.

Accountabilities:

• Manufacturing Schedule Leadership: Own adherence to the production plan; ensure schedule execution and stability across shifts and functions.
• Right-First-Time and Compliance: Embed a right-first-time mindset; ensure cGMP, health authority and local safety requirements are consistently met on the manufacturing floor and in warehouse operations.
• On-the-Floor Coaching: Provide hands‑on guidance to shift teams to strengthen discipline, accountability and performance in real time.
• Issue Resolution and CAPA Excellence: Lead robust root cause analysis using structured RCA tools; implement effective CAPAs and trend issues to prevent recurrence.
• Warehouse Operations Oversight: Ensure safe, compliant and timely warehouse activities; maintain seamless material flow to manufacturing and our API plant partners.
• Cross-Functional Delivery: Partner with EHS, QA, QC, Engineering/Maintenance and Technical Services to remove constraints, improve flow and deliver measurable results.
• Operational Readiness and NPI: Drive readiness for new builds, systems and product introductions, ensuring smooth scale‑up and integration into routine operations.
• Regulatory Inspection Readiness: Lead preparation, stand and respond during inspections; provide clear evidence of control, capability and continuous improvement.
• Continuous Improvement and Lean/AI: Introduce and scale Lean, digital and AI‑enabled solutions to improve safety, quality, compliance, flow, reliability and productivity.
• Performance Management and Metrics: Establish and use operational metrics to control, improve and sustain performance, including TAKT time and changeover reduction.
• People Leadership and Capability Building: Coach, mentor and develop leaders and teams; build skills through feedback, delegation and clear accountability.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Ambassadorship: Represent Operations credibly with senior partners and external stakeholders; communicate priorities and performance clearly and consistently.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• A minimum of 12 years of pharmaceutical experience overseeing Drug Substance operations, quality and/or technical services, with multiple areas of experience preferred.
• Excellent troubleshooting skills in both upstream and downstream Drug Substance operations
• Excellent people management, communications, and decision‑making skills
• Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor and develop leaders, teams and individuals, with a track record of building capability, accountability and a high‑performance culture
• Experience leading Lean, digital or AI‑enabled transformation in a regulated manufacturing environment, including effective change leadership, stakeholder engagement and governance
• Strong influencing and ambassadorial skills, with the ability to represent BDS Operations credibly and build productive relationships with senior internal partners, health authorities, suppliers and other external stakeholders
• Experience with biological drug substance manufacturing
• Have proficient project leadership experience, with an understanding of Headcount and budget management.
• Experience with capacity expansion and new product introduction project work
• Experience with 24/7 shift operations

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Degree in Scientific (Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry) or Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical) related fiel
• Advanced degree (MS, PhD, MBA) is an advantage

Why AstraZeneca:

Here, you can define a unique career while delivering for patients who need dependable supply of complex biologics. We bring the energy and autonomy of a leading biotech together with the resources and stability of a global pharmaceutical company. You will work with cutting‑edge digital, AI and Lean practices, often bringing unexpected teams into the same room to unlock bold thinking and practical solutions. We value kindness alongside ambition, combining rigorous standards with a culture that supports learning, accountability and collaboration. Your leadership will be felt on the shop floor and in the lives of people with rare and devastating conditions.

Date Posted

25-Sep-2026

Closing Date

09-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.