Director, Operational Excellence- Cell Therapy Manufacturing

AstraZeneca • Gaithersburg, MD

7d • $148,000 - $222,000

About The Position

The Director, Operational Excellence (OE) leads the network-wide OE agenda for AstraZeneca's autologous Cell Therapy. You will establish basic conditions and eliminate waste across the vein-to-vein value stream. You will operate in a matrix with site-based OE Leads. It sets strategy, governs the improvement portfolio, and delivers measurable outcomes in cost, productivity, service, quality, safety, and compliance. Additionally, it builds sustainable capabilities for scale.

Requirements

• Bachelor's in engineering/Life Sciences or related; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years in GMP manufacturing; 5+ years leading programs.
• Recognized Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent depth of OE expertise.
• COGM/productivity improvements using lean, digital, and analytics.
• Expertise in value stream management and lean (Hoshin, A3, VSM, standard work, tier/visual management, leader standard work); Genba execution.
• Command of cGMP, data integrity, and GAMP; experience with MES/EBR/LIMS and other digital systems.
• Track record in cross-site program leadership, portfolio governance, and benefits realization with Finance.
• Demonstrated experience in Influence without authority, change leadership, and process/project/risk/Analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end value stream mapping.
• Deploy Hoshin/strategy deployment to translate targets, such as COGM, capacity, and service, into a governed portfolio. This portfolio have clear owners, milestones, risks, and benefits.
• Create standardized COGM/productivity dashboards and benefit tracking with Finance.
• Lead programs (cycle time, labor models, MES/EBR enablement, yield, changeovers/scheduling, deviation reduction, automation/technology insertion).
• Apply the AZ Lean Model (A3, VSM, standard work, daily/tier management, leader standard work, adapted SMED).
• Facilitate development of business processes for training, batch execution, deviations, and patient/lot scheduling and logistics.
• Lead Kaizen events; scale best practices across the Cell Therapy Development and Operations.
• Define basic conditions for Cell Therapy Manufacturing Sites and build capability at all levels; coach leaders and value stream owners.
• Partner with Supply Chain to vein-to-vein flow, slotting, and cold-chain logistics, safeguarding Chain of Identity/Chain of Custody.
• Ensure improvements uphold safety, patient focus, and cGMP for ATMPs (including GAMP and data integrity).
• Partner with Quality to reduce human error and increase First Pass Success and right-first-time performance.
• Align senior leaders on priorities and resources; communicate impact through governance forums.

Benefits

• Eligibility for multiple incentives
• Opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses
• Equity-based awards for salaried roles
• Qualified retirement programs
• Paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves)
• Health coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director