Executive Director, Manufacturing Digital Lead

If you have the passion and the drive to accelerate growth and make people’s lives better – then AstraZeneca is the place for you.  In Operations we have a big ambition – to deliver more medicines to patients, quicker and more affordably. Backed by the investment, leadership and a clear plan to get there, we bring personal dedication and out of the box thinking. 

AstraZeneca turns molecules to medicines, bringing our Research & Development pipeline to life through a rigorous process of development, manufacturing, testing and delivery.  Operations is accelerating, fast. We are on track for Our Bold Ambition 2030, delivering 15+ new medicines driving us forward across different modalities including biologics, cell therapy, ADCs and small molecules. 

Position Summary

The Executive Director Manufacturing Digital Lead will lead and have full ownership of all aspects of the Autonomous Manufacturing strategy and deliverables, which is a critical element of the global Operations portfolio supporting Operations 2030 transformation that maximises the function’s contribution to the achievement of business objectives, profitability and return on investment.

The position will report to the Vice President Sweden Operations and a strong preference to be based in Macclesfield, England.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Autonomous Manufacturing program, which is a critical element of the Operations portfolio supporting Operations 2030 transformation that maximises the function’s contribution to the achievement of business objectives, profitability and return on investment.
• Define the manufacturing digital strategy to standardize blueprints for new facilities, drive productivity, lead time and sustainability improvements, and scale standard solutions across the manufacturing network.
• Develop the key investments in emerging technology to accelerate our approach towards self-optimized manufacturing processes, improving efficiency, eliminate human error and reduce lead time.
• Oversee the delivery of the digital portfolio from business perspective, in line with standards for our end-to-end digital portfolio in manufacturing.
• Responsible for defining the manufacturing data strategy in collaboration with regards to governance, management, analytics, and data science
• Prioritise scaling and delivery of digital solutions across the full manufacturing network, in line with business value and strategic outcomes, under the stewardship of the Manufacturing Digital Council
• Act as the escalation point up to the Global Operations Senior Leadership Team and down to digital project teams.
• Develop digital culture, capability, and change management to support the transformation.
• Optimises key relationships within the organisation to take full advantage of efficiencies and cost savings while ensuring production and quality obligations are met.
• Works in partnership with the business and specialist Manufacturing colleagues to ensure that an environment of continued professional development is created and individual team performance is managed effectively.

Preferred Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, engineering, science, or business-related field preferred.
• Extensive experience leading complex pharmaceutical manufacturing programs and high-performing teams in a global environment
• Operational expertise in risk management and contingency planning
• Familiarity with the latest research and thinking.
• Effective problem and conflict resolution skills and proven team focus

Skills and Competencies

• Knowledge in GxP compliance and data integrity.
• Demonstrated strong communication and relationship building skills with the ability to influence others to achieve objectives.
• Demonstrated success building cross functional global networks and processes.
• Proven excellence in leading self and others through ambiguity to resolution
• Enterprise leadership with evidence of leading and developing innovative solutions that have a major impact within the business area and organisation.
• Ability to interpret and communicate technical information into business language and in alignment with AZ business.
• Proven skills and experience of managing and controlling large budgets.
• Proven leadership promoting motivation and empowering others to accomplish individual, team and organizational objectives.
• Mastery of Manufacturing with an ability to lead cross functional working groups and teams.
• Demonstrated ability to set and manage priorities, resources, performance targets and project initiatives in a global and regional environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as proven negotiation, collaboration and interpersonal leadership skills
• Willingness to travel both domestically and internationally.
• Conceptual, analytical and strategic thinking
• Ability to influence strategically and persuade tactfully, to obtain desired outcomes while maintaining effective, positive, organizational relationships.

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.