Director, Head of API Operations

AstraZeneca GmbH; Blanchardstown; On-site; EUR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca is building a state-of-the-art API manufacturing facility in Dublin and seeks a Manufacturing Operations Leader to build a world-class team, establish a high-performance culture, and drive safe, compliant, and data-driven manufacturing across late-stage to commercial operations. The role focuses on startup, qualification, and scaling within a highly automated environment.

You will lead cross-functional teams and deliver operational excellence, embracing cGMP, safety, and continuous

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant field.
• Significant experience leading manufacturing operations in pharmaceutical, chemical, or high-hazard environments.
• Proven success managing shift manufacturing operations and leading frontline technical teams.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication, collaboration, and influencing skills.
• Experience with cGMP, regulatory inspections, and data integrity practices.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, inspire, and develop a highly capable team of manufacturing professionals.
• Establish a high-performance culture founded on accountability, continuous learning, collaboration, and operational excellence.
• Lead safe commissioning, qualification, start-up, and routine operations of a new API facility.
• Shape operating model, systems of work, governance, and performance management processes.
• Establish best-in-class practices leveraging automation, digital systems, and electronic batch records.
• Partner with Development, Engineering, Quality, Supply, and Digital teams to accelerate oncology product delivery.
• Champion operational readiness, regulatory inspections, and CAPA processes.

Skills

Leadership

Shift operations

People development

Stakeholder mgmt

Lean manufacturing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing/Engineering/Science or related

Tools

SAP

Job description

Are you an ambitious manufacturing leader with a proven track record of leading shift operations in complex pharmaceutical or chemical manufacturing environments? Do you want to build something new, shape a culture, develop a team, and work with some of the most advanced manufacturing technologies in the industry?

At AstraZeneca, we have build a state-of-the-art API Manufacturing facility in Dublin that will play a pivotal role in delivering our groundbreaking oncology portfolio to patients around the world. This facility has been designed from the ground up to be digitally enabled, highly automated, data-driven, and AI-ready from day one. This is not a traditional manufacturing site. It is a next-generation operation featuring a fully integrated technology ecosystem, electronic batch records from the first commercial campaign, advanced process automation, real-time data visibility, and a modern digital foundation that will enable accelerated, efficient, and sustainable manufacturing of life-changing medicines.

As Manufacturing Operations Leader, you will build and lead a world-class team of Technicians and Chemists, establish the operating model, and create the high-performance culture that will define the site's future success. You will play a pivotal role in the safe commissioning, ramp up, and operation a high-hazard API manufacturing facility while developing the capability, mindset, and standards that will make this site a benchmark for the industry.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a leader who thrives in start-up environments, enjoys building teams and capability, and wants to leave a lasting legacy within one of AstraZeneca's most exciting strategic investments.

What You'll Do

Build a World-Class Team and Culture

• Recruit, inspire, and develop a highly capable team of manufacturing professionals.
• Create a high-performance culture founded on accountability, continuous learning, collaboration, and operational excellence.
• Establish a culture where safety is the number one priority and every individual feels empowered to speak up and intervene.
• Coach and develop future leaders while creating an environment where people can do the best work of their careers.

Lead the Start-Up of a Digital-First Manufacturing Facility

• Lead safe commissioning, qualification, start-up, and routine operations of a new clinical and commercial API manufacturing facility.
• Shape and implement the operating model, systems of work, governance, and performance management processes.
• Establish best-in-class manufacturing practices that leverage advanced automation, integrated digital systems, and electronic batch records from day one.
• Drive rapid learning, operational readiness, and successful product introductions.

Deliver Manufacturing Excellence

• Own manufacturing performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people metrics.
• Lead late-stage process validation, technical transfers, product launches, and commercial operations.
• Ensure reliable, compliant, and right-first-time production while delivering material and asset utilisation targets.
• Drive continuous improvement using Lean principles and modern digital manufacturing tools.

Enable AstraZeneca's Oncology Pipeline

• Partner closely with Development, Engineering, Quality, Supply, and Digital teams to accelerate the delivery of innovative medicines to patients.
• Help establish a manufacturing capability that supports the sustainable growth of AstraZeneca's leading oncology portfolio.
• Ensure seamless integration of new products, technologies, and ways of working.

Champion Operational Excellence and Compliance

• Maintain the highest standards of cGMP, SHE, process safety, and compliance.
• Drive operational readiness for regulatory inspections and audits.
• Lead quality, data integrity, investigation, and CAPA processes.
• Ensure effective management of supply planning, manufacturing readiness, and lifecycle changes.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Science, Supply Chain Management, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Significant experience leading manufacturing operations within pharmaceutical, chemical, or high-hazard production environments.
• Proven success managing shift manufacturing operations and leading frontline technical teams.
• Demonstrated ability to build engaged, high-performing teams and develop organizational capability.
• Experience setting priorities, managing resources, and delivering operational performance within a complex manufacturing environment.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication, collaboration, and influencing skills.
• Experience managing operational budgets and resources.
• Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Desirable Experience

• Experience commissioning, standing up, or scaling pharmaceutical manufacturing operations.
• Track record delivering technical transfers, process validation, and commercial launch activities.
• Experience operating within high-hazard chemical manufacturing environments.
• Hands-on experience implementing electronic batch records and digital manufacturing systems.
• Experience working within highly automated, integrated production environments.
• Lean Six Sigma certification and demonstrated continuous improvement success.
• Experience with SAP, advanced planning systems, and integrated supply planning.
• Proven regulatory inspection and audit leadership experience.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams through significant growth and change.

Why AstraZeneca?

This is a unique opportunity to join AstraZeneca at a defining moment.

You will help launch one of the most advanced API manufacturing facilities in our global network, working with an integrated digital and AI-ready technology stack designed to transform the way medicines are manufactured. You will lead from the front as we establish new ways of working, build new capabilities, and create a culture centred on safety, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

The impact of your work will be visible immediately. The team you build, the culture you create, and the systems you establish will directly contribute to bringing innovative oncology medicines to patients faster and more sustainably.

For ambitious leaders seeking significant personal growth, enterprise-wide visibility, and the opportunity to shape the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing, few roles offer this combination of responsibility, challenge, and opportunity.

Ready to Build Something Extraordinary?

If you are an experienced manufacturing leader who thrives on creating high-performing teams, delivering operational excellence, and leading complex manufacturing operations, we want to hear from you.

Join AstraZeneca and help build a world-class manufacturing operation that will set new standards for safety, quality, digital innovation, and patient impact.

Date Posted

24-Aug-2026

Closing Date

06-Sep-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.