Introduction to role:
Are you ready to build resilient, AI-enabled drug substance operations that deliver for patients every time? Do you thrive at the intersection of technical depth and strategic leadership, turning risk into reliability and ambition into measurable outcomes?
Based at our Dublin campus, you will lead the operational backbone that keeps biologics drug substance supply safe, compliant, and continuously available. Reporting to the Senior Director, Operations, you will shape the strategy and day-to-day execution that strengthens process resilience, optimizes capacity, and accelerates performance across the site. Your work will directly safeguard continuity for people living with rare diseases by ensuring our manufacturing systems are robust, predictable, and ready for what’s next.
You will partner across engineering, quality, project management, and production to embed resilient processes, integrate advanced digital and AI capabilities, and mentor teams in operational discipline. This is a hands-on, outcomes-focused leadership role that blends strategic influence with technical mastery to deliver lasting impact.
Accountabilities:- Operational and Process Resilience:- Develop, embed, and sustain robust processes that anticipate disruption, minimize risk, and enable reliable, continuous manufacturing.- Hold operations accountable to high productivity, quality, and safety standards; proactively identify, mitigate, and resolve risks.- Promote and mentor a culture of resilience and process ownership, ensuring readiness for evolving challenges.- Maximize plant performance through root cause analysis, CAPA execution, and operational optimization.
Strategic Influence:- Shape and implement the operational strategy, aligning daily execution with the site’s future vision and objectives.- Collaborate with senior leaders to drive initiatives that advance productivity, sustainability, and resilience across all functions.
Technical Design and Project Leadership:- Serve as the operational stakeholder with engineering, project management, quality assurance, and vendors to guarantee seamless project delivery.- Ensure smooth process integration and optimal flow; deploy automation and real-time monitoring to maintain compliance and resilience.
Digital and AI Integration:- Lead evaluation, integration, and adoption of advanced AI and digital tools in operational processes.- Empower teams to utilize data-driven and predictive approaches to enhance efficiency, decision-making, and quality standards; mentor pragmatic, compliant use of digital solutions.
Continuous Improvement and Lean:- Drive ongoing improvement initiatives that optimize productivity, sustainability, and operational reliability through lean principles and digital tools.- Promote lean practices and operational discipline within high-performing teams.
Stakeholder Communication and Collaboration:- Build strong partnerships across engineering, quality, project management, and site leadership to embed operational requirements in strategy and execution.- Provide clear, ongoing communication on compliance, operational risks, milestones, and improvements; foster cross-functional teamwork to achieve operational and project success.
Capacity Leadership:- Establish capacity models, scenario planning, and constraint management that protect supply continuity and enable growth.- Translate demand signals into executable plans with manufacturing, engineering, and quality to improve throughput without compromising compliance.
Essential Skills/Experience:
Education:- Bachelor’s or advanced degree (Master’s, PhD, MBA) in Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Engineering, Life Sciences, or a related discipline.
Experience:- Minimum 8–10 years’ senior leadership experience in biopharmaceutical operations, manufacturing, or technical oversight within a regulated environment.- Proven track record in designing, commissioning, optimizing, and managing drug substance manufacturing systems, with deep proficiency in process integration, automation, and CIP systems.- Strong background in operational strategy development, embedding process resilience, and driving site-wide improvement initiatives.
Skills:- Strong technical and problem-solving skills in a pharmaceutical production environment.- Ability to lead and manage cross-functional teams effectively.- Exceptional knowledge of biopharmaceutical industry standards and regulatory requirements (FDA, EMA, etc.).- Outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal, to liaise with stakeholders across technical, operational, and quality functions.- Lean and digital mindset with the ability to bring people with you across both aspects of the work.
Desirable Skills/Experience:- Proactive leader: highly motivated, resourceful, and dedicated to operational discipline and accountability.- Hands-on approach: engaged in both technical and operational details; mentors teams in compliance and process ownership.- Change champion: adept at guiding teams through evolving regulatory and process expectations.- Experience introducing AI, real-time monitoring, and predictive analytics in GMP environments.- Exposure to capacity modelling and integrated business planning within biologics manufacturing.
Why AstraZeneca:Here your work directly supports people living with rare and devastating diseases, bringing you close to the purpose behind every decision. You will operate with the energy of a biotech and the resources of a global biopharma, using cutting-edge technology to strengthen reliable supply. Expect unexpected teams in the same room unleashing bold thinking, where digital, engineering, and operations collaborate to turn ideas into resilient systems. We value kindness alongside ambition, pairing high standards with the support to grow. Your leadership will not only modernize how we run our facilities, it will help ensure life-changing medicines reach those who need them most.
Call to Action:Step into this pivotal role in Dublin and lead the resilient, data-driven operations that keep vital therapies flowing—if this is your next big challenge, we’d love to hear from you!
Date Posted
15-Jul-2026
Closing Date
21-Jul-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.
