Associate Director, Operational Excellence

Associate Director for Operational Excellence - Site Operational Excellence Lead

About Cell Therapy:

In Operations we turn molecules into medicine, and are unified in our dedication to deliver more medicines to more patients more quickly.  In essence, we are the critical link that brings innovation from our science labs to patients around the world.  From our quality labs to commercial manufacturing, we share a common purpose to ensure our high-quality medicines reach patients when and where they need them, with the ultimate goal of improving their daily lives.  We’re achieving all of this while continuing to accelerate our operational excellence through innovative science, Lean ways of working, and evolving digital technologies.

Using cell therapy to halt and reverse disease, restore damaged organs, and, ultimately, cure many life-threatening conditions is now a realistic goal for our scientists and operators, who are working at the groundbreaking of regenerative medicine.  Across our R&D and manufacturing organizations, we are investing in internal capabilities to help us realize our ambition to discover and deliver next-generation cellular therapies. Maximising institutional expertise in biologics engineering, gene editing and immunology, we are uniquely positioned to develop innovative technologies to advance cell therapies in the treatment of disease areas with high unmet medical needs.

About Rockville Manufacturing Center (RMC):

Our role in Operations is to bring these promising therapies from the lab to life through a thorough process of development, manufacturing, testing and supply.  Our fast-paced, growing environment provides a wealth of opportunity and global opportunities to learn from other teams, adopt lifelong learning and build capabilities, setting your own direction and pace for your long-term career.  Our Rockville Manufacturing Center (RMC) cell therapy facility located in Rockville, Maryland is the newest addition to our global supply network of nearly 30 manufacturing and supply facilities in 16 countries. This manufacturing facility aims to make a direct contribution and immediate impact to patients by delivering life-saving cell therapies. It’s challenging but highly rewarding work, involving hundreds of dedicated people throughout the manufacturing lifecycle along with supporting office functions.   Every day at AstraZeneca we work hard to deliver life-changing medicines to patients, along with taking time to have fun and celebrate our accomplishments. From catered site festivities to events, community outreach activities, environmental and wellness showcases and team-building events, we take time to recognize our achievements.

Introduction to Role:

Join us at AstraZeneca, where we are using cell therapy to halt and reverse disease, restore damaged organs, and ultimately, cure many life-threatening conditions. Our fast-paced, growing environment provides a wealth of opportunity and global opportunities to learn from other teams, embrace lifelong learning and build capabilities. Our cell therapy facility in Rockville, Maryland is the newest addition to our global supply network of nearly 30 manufacturing and supply facilities in 16 countries. This is your chance to break new ground and leave a collective legacy as the Associate Director for Operational Excellence - Site Operational Excellence Lead.

Accountabilities:

As the Associate Director for Operational Excellence, you will provide strategic and technical leadership, training, mentoring, people development, project support, and facilitation as required to support AZ Biologics Lean Six Sigma, Operational Excellence journey. You will serve as a master Operational Excellence trainer, develop trainings and conduct training activities at all levels. You will also play a key role in the development and implementation of a formal management review of KPIs, and train and coach all functional areas on measurement principles.

Essential Skills/Experience:

- Bachelor’s degree

- Minimum of 7 years or more work experience in operational excellence, training, consulting, strategy, process improvement, or business analysis required

- Must have worked as a Six Sigma Black Belt for a minimum of 3 years with formal training and experience in applying Lean Sigma methods and /lean methods in DMAIC Six Sigma Black Belt level or PDCA lean projects

- Minimum 1 years experience directly running or leading a team

- Proven mentoring, coaching, and people development capabilities

- Ability to work independently with minimal direction

- Excellent working knowledge of the principles and philosophies of analytical problem solving techniques

- Experience as an Operational Excellence trainer

- Advance user of Minitab or similar, Microsoft Visio and Project

- Ability to develop and lead initiativ