Director, Operational Excellence- Cell Therapy Manufacturing

About this role

About the role, 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. This role offers flexibility to be based in Rockville, MD or Tarzana, CA

You Will: 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

Additionally, 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

You Have : Bachelor's in engineering/Life

Apply for this role on AstraZeneca’s official careers site.