Director Manufacturing
Macclesfield
At AstraZeneca, we are driven by our commitment to deliver accelerated growth and to make people's lives better. We thrive in our often intense and ambiguous environment, seeking out new challenges and working towards new solutions. We are part of an inclusive and giving community, supporting each other on our journeys. We are leading the way in delivering Lean processes that drive greater efficiency and speed. Sustainable practices are at the heart of what we do, ensuring we manage our environmental impact across all our activities and products
Introduction to role
The Director for Manufacturing will play a pivotal role in leading a multi-disciplinary team. You will be accountable for the overall performance of all processes within the boundaries of your Process Execution Team (PET) control. This includes production, material and asset utilization, support, and inventory in process as supplied to next supply chain customer under Vendor Managed Inventory.
Accountabilities
You will be leading a team through transformational change, ensuring compliance with AZ’s financial policies, managing people resources to policy requirements, and delivering budgets. You will be responsible for maintaining compliance in accordance with cGMP, SHE, SOX and business procedures, ensuring capacity and capability is in place to meet demand, maintaining compliance within licenses to operate, managing stakeholder relationships, and contributing to site/EMEA leadership strategy and decision-making.
Essential Skills/Experience
Bachelor’s Degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Science, Supply Chain Management (or related field) or equivalent experience
Significant experience in manufacturing and supply chain
Aseptic or sterile manufacturing experience
Proven leadership promoting motivation and empowering others to accomplish individual, team and organizational objectives
Ability to lead cross functional working groups and teams; Demonstrated ability to set and manage priorities, resources, performance targets and project initiatives in a regional environment
Proven negotiation, collaboration and interpersonal leadership skills
Budgetary and resource management planning experience
Conceptual, analytical and strategic thinking
Desirable Skills/Experience
Effective problem and conflict resolution skills and proven team focus
Experience in managing projects in a pharmaceutical environment
At AstraZeneca, we are leading our Operations function at an exciting time of growth and evolution. We pioneer new approaches and processes across our sites, empowering our teams to foster a Lean mindset and sustainable practices. Every change we make is to deliver better outcomes for our patients. We are the champions of Lean, ensuring our teams understand and embody the benefits it can bring. There's improved quality and safety, as well as speed. Our manufacturing sites are environments of constant and rapid change. It's a place to expect the unexpected. There's rarely an obvious answer to the varied challenges we face, so it takes adaptability, flexibility and patience to thrive here.
When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Apply today to join us in driving transformational change and pioneering new approaches in our Operations department!
Date Posted
18-Sept-2026Closing Date
04-Oct-2026Our 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.Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Science, Supply Chain Management, or a related field, or equivalent experience
- Significant experience in manufacturing and supply chain
- Aseptic or sterile manufacturing experience
- Proven leadership experience motivating and empowering individuals and teams
- Ability to lead cross-functional working groups and teams
- Experience setting and managing priorities, resources, performance targets, and project initiatives in a regional environment
- Proven negotiation, collaboration, and interpersonal leadership skills
- Budgetary and resource management planning experience
- Conceptual, analytical, and strategic thinking
- Effective problem and conflict resolution skills and a proven team focus
- Experience managing projects in a pharmaceutical environment
AstraZeneca Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about AstraZeneca and has not been reviewed or approved by AstraZeneca.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is considered competitive across many roles when total rewards are factored in. Senior scientific and leadership bands are described with high ranges that reinforce competitiveness at upper levels.
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Strong & Reliable Incentives — Bonuses, equity eligibility in many salaried roles, and solid sales on‑target earnings with upside are emphasized as meaningful parts of compensation. These elements boost overall value even where base pay is not the very highest.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) program with a strong company match and immediate vesting is repeatedly cited as a standout. Generous retirement support is viewed as enhancing the total package relative to peers.
AstraZeneca Insights
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