Associate Director - Quality Control

AstraZeneca; Singapore; On-site; SGD 350,000 - 480,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca is establishing its first biologics campus in Singapore, seeking an Associate Director to lead Quality Control. You will steer a large QC portfolio, drive right-first-time testing, and enable faster, compliant release in a fast-moving environment.

You will shape mid-term QC strategy, enable new product introductions, and deploy Lean and digital tools to unlock capacity while maintaining patient focus and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science/technical field; pharmacy/biology/chemistry backgrounds preferred.
• Proven experience in pharmaceutical quality control management in a GxP setting.
• Experience driving lean, digital tools and continuous improvement in QC.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration across regulatory, manufacturing and process development.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day QC operations for a large/complex area, meeting plan and budget.
• Develop 12–18 month QC plans with clear priorities and milestones.
• Oversee resource allocation of people, labs, and equipment for QC.
• Drive product introductions, tech transfers, and scale-up in QC.
• Define quality metrics, improve data integrity and cycle times.
• Lead change to digitize QC workflows while ensuring GxP compliance.

Skills

QC management

GxP experience

Cross-functional collaboration

Lean principles

People leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in science/technical field

Tools

LIMS

MODA

Empower

1Lab

SAP

Job description

Job Title: Associate Director - Quality Control

Career Level: E

About Singapore ADC:

About Singapo0re ADC Site:

Be part of history in the making. AstraZeneca is building its first biologics manufacturing campus in Singapore - a groundbreaking USD 1.5 billion investment that will serve as a global hub for innovation and excellence.

This innovative facility will deliver end-to-end Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) capabilities with different manufacturing units/buildings in one campus:

• Small molecule- chemical API production
• Large molecule- monoclonal antibody manufacturing
• Conjugation
• Fill-and-finish operations, including sterile filling and lyophilization
• Final secondary packaging

The campus will be equipped with innovative digital and automation infrastructure, enabling autonomous manufacturing powered by artificial intelligence. In addition, it will be designed for carbon neutrality, embedding sustainability into every aspect of operations and setting a new benchmark for environmentally responsible biologic's manufacturing.

Introduction to role:

Are you ready to lead a modern Quality Control function that accelerates safe, reliable medicines to patients while setting the standard on performance? This role puts you at the center of how we scale, standardize, and continuously improve testing and release in a complex, fast-moving environment.

As Associate Director, you will steer a larger, multi-disciplinary QC area to deliver right-first-time results, reduce cycle times, and strengthen compliance. You will shape mid-term strategy, enable new product introductions, and harness Lean and digital tools to unlock capacity and quality at the same time. Do you see yourself building a high-performing team, strengthening systems, and influencing decisions across manufacturing, regulatory, and process development?

Accountabilities:

• Operational Leadership: Lead day-to-day QC operations for a larger or complex area, meeting plan, budget, and service levels to enable reliable batch disposition and uninterrupted supply.
• Planning Ahead: Analyse trends and risks to help develop a 12-18 month plan for your QC area, translating goals into clear priorities, timelines, and measurable outcomes.
• Resource Optimization: Oversee current and future allocation of people, labs, and equipment, ensuring the right capability is in the right place to meet volume, complexity, and compliance needs.
• New Product Introduction: Drive long-term planning and implementation for product, process, and equipment introductions in QC, enabling smooth scale-up and tech transfers.
• Metrics and Continuous Improvement: Define, track, and report key quality metrics to senior leadership; identify gaps and implement initiatives that improve data integrity, turnaround time, and right-first-time performance.
• Change Leadership: Proactively find opportunities to simplify, standardize, and digitize QC workflows; lead change while maintaining full GxP compliance and patient focus.
• Cross-Functional Projects: Lead local, cross-functional, and global initiatives that impact QC and partner functions; influence decisions across manufacturing, regulatory, MS&T, engineering, and global quality.
• People Leadership: Set clear goals, conduct regular coaching and mentoring, and build capability through performance feedback and development plans that grow both current and future leaders.
• Talent and Capability Building: Oversee recruitment and onboarding; ensure training plans keep pace with technology, methods, and compliance requirements.
• Culture and Ways of Working: Foster a results-focused, agile culture where Lean principles, scientific rigor, and continuous improvement are embedded in how the team works every day.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Bachelor s' degree in a science / technical field such as Pharmacy, Biology, Chemistry
• Experience in pharmaceutical quality control management
• Prior experience in a GxP environment
• Experience working cross-functionally across the supply chain with groups such as regulatory, manufacturing, and process development
• Experience in driving the application of LEAN principlesSome experience managing operations, budgets, and resources for the quality control area
• Experience implementing change initiatives within quality control area

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Experience in green field or brown field projects to setup Quality Control laboratories
• Experience in establishing QC operation system (procedures and processes) for product introduction and supply
• Experience in establishing site environmental monitoring program for clean room and clean utilities
• Experience in leading test methods transfer or validation for incoming raw materials, intermediates, drug substance (mAb) and drug product (Fill and Finish)
• Experience in leading or supporting in QC digital system (LIMS, MODA, 1Lab, Empower and/or SAP) site implementation

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-per