Senior Director, Strategic Excellence - Cell Therapy

AstraZeneca is looking for an accomplished Senior Director, Strategic Excellence, reporting to the Head of Cell Therapy Manufacturing, this role is important to achieving phased and targeted efficiency ratios and effectiveness indicators while developing a single, proactive Operational Excellence culture across newly acquired and existing Cell Therapy Manufacturing sites, integrating custom value stream designs that improve quality, production capacity, and management control systems.

You will partner with the Cell Therapy Development and Operations Leadership Team to ensure the seamless execution of this transformation, aligning performance goals with regulatory compliance and enterprise-wide goals.

Responsibilities

• You will partner with the Cell Therapy Development and Operations Leadership team to define Operational Excellence metrics and targets that improve performance and support achievement of Operations goals.
• Develop and implement tailored programs at each site to lead and sustain productivity and efficiency aligned with their strategic plans. Define KPAs and KPIs for Operations and Operational Excellence, aligned with the QMS and integrated into the Operations schedule to enhance SQDCP (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, People). Lead the design and execution of site- and product-line-specific value streams and control systems to improve capacity, workforce, and operational control.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, and Senior Leadership to accomplish the transformation roadmap within budget and predetermined timing, ensuring consistency and scalability of best practices across the portfolio.
• Develop and control the execution of a roadmap to lead the development of an Operational Excellence framework that aligns all manufacturing sites under a unified, proactive culture of continuous improvement.
• Oversee Operational Excellence transformation efforts in new and acquired sites, ensuring agreement on AstraZeneca’s strategic growth plan and mitigating the risk of isolated operational cultures latest.
• Ensure all programs are in strict adherence to FDA Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and are harmonized with the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Establish an OE capability throughout the function that sustains agile, mindful, and industry-leading performance across all sites.
• Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Business, Life Sciences, or a related field with a minimum twelve (12) years or Masters with ten (10) years of leadership experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or CDMO operations, with at least five (5) years as a Business Unit, Site Head or Function Leader.
• Demonstrated leadership in global Value Stream transformation programs, including the development of new manufacturing sites and integrating acquired facilities into a unified enterprise-wide approach.
• Experience in the transition of sites from clinical to commercial manufacturing.
• Expertise in developing and deploying Management Control Systems (MCS) for proactive performance management.
• Experience harmonizing diverse continuous improvement cultures and management systems across multiple sites.
• Background in Lean Six Sigma, and Operational Excellence methodologies.
• Knowledge of GMP regulations and their practical possible effects for clinical and pharmaceutical manufacturing operations.
• Strategic, high-level thinker with experience in transformation programs according to corporate goals.
• Integrate knowledge across multiple domains—including management control systems, organizational behavior, and lean thinking—to quickly identify the most effective course of action to achieve desired outcomes.
• Inspire and lead teams through cultural transformation while balancing compliance, agility, and scalability.
  
  

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $187,672 - $281,508. However, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, and experience. Also, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles).

Our Benefits

Benefits offered include:

• A qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]
• Paid vacation, holidays, and paid leaves
• Health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage following the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.
  
  

#celltherapy

Date Posted

04-Aug-2025

Closing Date

21-Aug-2025

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.