Director, Manufacturing Platform Technology – Global Tech Ops

AstraZeneca • Gaithersburg, MD

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

Are you ready to lead the charge in transforming AstraZeneca's manufacturing capabilities for 2030 and beyond? As the Director of Manufacturing Platform Technology, you'll be at the forefront of change, driving platform establishment across the enterprise! The GTO Platform Lead represents a strategic cross-functional leadership role within Biologics Operations and Global Technical Operations. This position encompasses the leadership and development of a diverse, cross-functional team whilst maintaining primary accountability for strategic planning, coordination of technical leadership initiatives, and the provision of comprehensive operational support to our global technical network and key customer partnerships. Join us in shaping the future of manufacturing technology and equipment platforms across biologics and new modalities!

Requirements

• Experience: 12 years in biologics manufacturing (or 10+ with an advanced degree); 5+ years in process engineering/development; late-stage and commercial exposure.
• Continuous manufacturing: Recent, hands-on leadership implementing continuous bioprocessing in a manufacturing setting.
• Regulatory: Proven authoring of technical sections or leading technical regulatory strategy.
• Collaboration: Strong record of leading matrix teams and influencing across internal customers and external partners/CMOs.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred: Site engineering background; validation experience for new modalities/formulations; late-phase nucleic acid manufacturing or analytics; proficiency with Power BI, Power Automate, and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Lead a matrixed, cross-functional team to shape and scale AstraZeneca’s manufacturing technology/equipment platforms across biologics and new modalities.
• Partner closely with Development, Operations, Quality, Regulatory, and external manufacturers to deliver robust, flexible, and inspection-ready platforms.
• Set the platform vision, standards, and roadmap; accelerate continuous manufacturing adoption; harmonize ways of working across internal sites and CMOs to improve speed, reliability, and cost to serve.
• Define highs/lows, critical process parameters, and control strategies for each unit operation.
• Publish platform process descriptions, tech transfer playbooks, and manufacturing technology standards that teams can use globally.
• Build comparability and “switch” strategies into equipment platforms to manage lifecycle changes with minimal disruption.
• Set enterprise standards and the adoption plan for end-to-end continuous processing.
• Define PAT/APC, residence-time distribution, steady-state verification, and start-up/shutdown strategies that meet global regulatory expectations.
• Guide piloting through commercial implementation; quantify business value and embed learnings across the network.
• Work hand-in-hand with CMC, Clinical, Regulatory, QA, and site leaders to align on risk, control, and lifecycle strategies.
• Harmonize processes and capabilities across internal sites, CMOs, and acquisitions; establish clear governance, roles, and accountability.
• Maintain timely updates, risk escalation, and portfolio alignment across Global Tech Ops and Biologics leadership.
• Working closely with tech transfer leads, Stand up technology transfers to site, define ways of working, and embed digital tools for monitoring and decision-making.
• Acting along with current site leads, or in lieu of local MS&T for new sites, Regulatory partnership: Authoring and strategy: Co-author technical content for design control strategies that enable post-approval flexibility.
• Prepare teams and sites for regulatory interactions and inspections.
• Collaborating across the enterprise, establish standards for process data and information needed to support autonomous decision making.
• Define metrics and scorecards; use feedback loops to track adoption and impact.

Benefits

• AstraZeneca offers an environment where you can make a positive impact while building a long-term career filled with global opportunities.
• Our commitment to delivering accelerated growth pushes us to innovate continuously.
• With a focus on Lean processes, cutting-edge science, digitalization, and sustainable practices, we are dedicated to making people's lives better.
• Our inclusive community supports each other on our journeys, fostering curiosity and problem-solving.
• Embrace the chance to broaden your knowledge and skills in a place where your dedication is rewarded.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees