The Associate Director, Cell Therapy Supply Chain Operations Transformation & Performance Lead is responsible for driving business process transformation, operational excellence, and performance management across the Cell Therapy Global Supply Chain organization. Reporting to the Director, Strategy & Business Planning, this role partners with supply chain leaders and business process owners to simplify, standardize, and scale end-to-end supply chain processes while strengthening governance, performance visibility, and decision-making. This role will be instrumental in enabling AstraZeneca’s bold cell therapy ambitions by helping build a scalable, future-ready supply chain operating model that can support the rapid growth and evolving complexity of the business. The leader will help shape the next generation of cell therapy supply chain capabilities through Lean principles, process transformation, and digitization. This is an opportunity to play a key role in transforming how the Global Supply Chain organization operates, scales, and delivers — enabling sustainable growth while strengthening operational excellence, agility, and end-to-end performance. Key
Responsibilities
Lead strategic transformation initiatives that enable AstraZeneca’s bold cell therapy ambitions and improve supply chain scalability, transparency, agility, and execution. Establish and maintain the end-to-end supply chain process framework, including standards, governance, ownership, process architecture, and continuous improvement. Partner with supply chain leaders and cross-functional business process owners to design and implement future-state, scalable operating models. Drive operational excellence through Lean methodologies, structured problem-solving, process simplification, standardization, and continuous improvement. Facilitate cross-functional workshops to assess current-state processes, identify opportunities, define future-state solutions, and develop implementation roadmaps. Develop and enhance the global supply chain performance management framework, including KPIs, Tier-based performance management, management review routines, and escalation processes. Establish meaningful metrics, data definitions, and reporting structures that improve performance visibility, accountability, and data-driven decision-making. Support governance forums and cross-functional management routines that strengthen alignment, prioritization, decision-making, and issue resolution. Partner with Digital and Supply Chain teams to identify and implement automation, advanced analytics, digital, and AI-enabled solutions that enhance supply chain effectiveness. Leverage data and analytics to identify trends, uncover improvement opportunities, measure transformation outcomes, and support strategic decision-making. Build strong partnerships across Planning, Procurement, Manufacturing, Logistics, Quality, Digital, and other key functions to drive end-to-end transformation. Lead change management and stakeholder engagement to drive adoption of new processes, tools, operating models, and governance structures. Develop and communicate transformation roadmaps, progress, performance insights, and key outcomes to senior stakeholders. Identify opportunities to simplify, standardize, and scale supply chain capabilities as the cell therapy business continues to evolve. Help establish a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, accountability, and operational excellence across the Global Supply Chain organization.
Qualifications
Required Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations, Life Sciences, Business, or related field. 8+ years of relevant experience with a Bachelor's degree, or 6+ years with a Master's degree or MBA.
Experience
in biopharmaceutical, biotech, advanced therapy, or other highly regulated operations environments. Strong understanding of end-to-end supply chain processes, including planning, procurement, manufacturing, logistics, inventory management, and performance management. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt required. Proven experience leading business process transformation, operational excellence, or operating model transformation initiatives.
Experience
establishing governance structures, KPIs, management routines, and performance frameworks. Demonstrated ability to translate complex business challenges into scalable, practical solutions. Strong facilitation, stakeholder management, influencing, and change leadership skills. Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with a data-driven mindset. Ability to operate effectively in a complex, cross-functional environment and influence stakeholders without direct authority. Preferred
Experience
in cell therapy, gene therapy, or advanced therapy supply chain environments.
Experience
supporting or leading transformation within a rapidly growing or evolving business.
Experience
leading large-scale transformation programs across cross-functional organizations.
Experience
with automation, advanced analytics, process mining, digital technologies, or AI-enabled supply chain solutions. Lean Six Sigma Black Belt preferred. Additional certifications such as Prosci, PMP, Scrum Master, CSCP, or CPIM. MBA or advanced degree in a related discipline. The annual base pay for this position ranges from $121,149.60 - $181,724.40. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles.
Benefits
offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans. Date Posted 12-Aug-2026 Closing Date 30-Aug-2026 Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form. AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company. We focus on discovering, developing and commercialising prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we are more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science, challenge convention and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. To embrace differences and take bold actions to drive the change needed to meet global healthcare and sustainability challenges. There is no better place to make a difference in medicine, patients, and society. An inclusive culture where you will connect different thinking to generate new and valuable opportunities. Where you will find a commitment to lifelong learning, growth and development for all. Our Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) mission is to create an inclusive and equitable environment where people belong, using the power of our diversity to push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines to patients. Inclusion and diversity are fundamental to the success of our company, because innovation requires breakthrough ideas that only come from a diverse workforce empowered to challenge conventional thinking. We’re curious about science and the advancement of knowledge. We find creative ways to approach new challenges. We’re driven to make the right choices and be accountable for our actions. As an organisation centred around what makes us human, we put a big focus on people. Across our business, we want colleagues to wake up excited about their day at the office, in the field, or in the lab. Along with our purpose to bring life-changing medicines to people across the globe, we have a promise to you: to help you realise the full breadth of your potential. Here, you’ll do work that has the potential to change your life and improve countless others. And, together with your team, you’ll shape a culture that unites and inspires us every day. This is your life at AstraZeneca.