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- Tasks: Lead a team in designing and optimising chemical processes for drug development.
- Company: Join AstraZeneca, a leader in innovative pharmaceutical solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and generous employee benefits.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of inclusivity and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in drug development while leading a talented team.
- Qualifications: PhD in Chemistry with 8+ years in pharmaceutical development and leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location: Macclesfield, UK
Hybrid working model, 3-5 days per week onsite
Introduction to Role
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated leader to join the Chemistry function within AstraZeneca’s Chemical Development department as Director - Process Design and Optimisation. As Director (senior team manager), you will set the technical direction for modern process design and optimisation, leading your team to deliver high quality, robust sustainable commercial processes, manufacturing campaigns, control strategies and future‑proofed regulatory submissions. By exploiting innovative science, cutting‑edge technologies and AI/data‑driven solutions, you will empower your team to reduce risk and shorten timelines, enabling confident clinical supply and launch.
Accountabilities
- Through leading a process design and optimisation team in Chemistry, you will drive technical excellence in project delivery, senior line‑management of a chemistry technical team, and contribute to our chemistry strategy.
Technical Excellence in Project Delivery
- Applying your experience to successful accountability for drug projects at both Chemistry Section and Chemical Development functional levels.
- Acting as a source of expert guidance for development of chemical processes, technology transfer and clinical drug substance manufacture both internally and externally, facilitating on‑time, right quality clinical API supplies and strong data packages.
- Delivery of CMC regulatory submissions for clinical and marketing phases – guiding and supporting authorship of drug substance submissions and developing harmonised control strategies at the substance‑product interface.
Senior Line‑management of a Chemistry Technical Team
- Sophisticated coaching and mentoring to support professional development of ~8‑10 highly skilled scientists and scientific leaders, up to and including Principal Scientist level.
- Advanced performance management – goal setting and regular feedback to drive high impact contributions at all levels, generating impactful, meaningful career pathways for each member of your team.
- Mentorship, coaching and onboarding of first‑time team leaders and support for our wider chemistry team manager community.
- Driving key elements of SHE and cGxP compliance for our Chemistry section.
Contributing to Key Elements of Our Chemistry Strategy
- Identification and execution of improvement programmes to enhance the capability and capacity of the Chemistry function to deliver their contribution to drug substance projects, through strong career pathways for our people.
- Working across the section to specifically champion integration of innovative route design and process design, with associated support for modern business processes including scale‑up assessment and control strategy development.
- Understanding the external science and technology landscape to champion innovation and curiosity within process design and optimisation, and working across interfaces to improve standards and ways of working.
Essential Skills/Experience
- Degree, PhD or equivalent experience in Chemistry, plus an additional 8+ years’ experience in synthetic drug substance pharmaceutical development.
- Proven high‑impact people leadership experience, with a track record of delivery at Associate Director (Team Manager) level.
- Expertise in development and scale‑up of synthetic chemistry to deliver commercially viable manufacturing processes in mid‑to‑late phase development.
- Strong understanding and experience of delivery across the drug development process, especially late‑stage development to support Phase 3 clinical studies and launch, including control strategy development.
- Strong project management skills developed through personal leadership and delivery of drug projects.
- Proven CMC‑wide experience and an appreciation of how to generate the best impact for patients; demonstrated application to high quality regulatory delivery through authoring and reviewing module 3.2 regulatory submissions or response to health authority questions.
- Demonstrated experience of managing change through continuous improvement, increasing efficiency and measurable impact.
- Track record of driving the introduction of digital approaches and new synthetic/manufacturing platforms or technologies, and examples of publicising these achievements.
- Extensive experience of leading senior scientific staff / peers to deliver high‑impact improvements to ways of working.
Competitive Salary and Benefits Package
Competitive, generous remuneration package with flexible employee benefits fund, including holiday purchase and flexible time off, pension contributions, Share Save Plans, performance recognition scheme and flexible benefits.
Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.
Director – Process Design and Optimisation in Chemical Development employer: AstraZeneca
Contact Detail:
AstraZeneca Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director – Process Design and Optimisation in Chemical Development
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We can’t stress enough how personal connections can open doors that applications alone can’t.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their recent projects and challenges in chemical development. We want you to walk in confident, ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed teams and driven projects. We believe that demonstrating your ability to lead and inspire others is key to landing that director role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Director – Process Design and Optimisation in Chemical Development
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant projects you've managed, especially those related to process design and optimisation.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share your passion for chemistry and how your background aligns with our mission at StudySmarter. Don’t forget to mention any innovative approaches you've taken in past roles!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on quantifiable achievements. Use metrics to demonstrate how you’ve improved processes or led successful projects. This will help us see the impact you've made in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it makes it easier for us to keep track of your application!
How to prepare for a job interview at AstraZeneca
✨Know Your Chemistry Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your chemistry knowledge, especially around synthetic drug substance development and process optimisation. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've led and how you applied innovative science and technology to achieve results.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Director, you'll need to demonstrate your people management abilities. Prepare examples of how you've coached and mentored teams, set goals, and driven performance. Highlight any experience you have in managing change and improving processes.
✨Understand Regulatory Requirements
Familiarise yourself with CMC regulatory submissions and the drug development process. Be prepared to discuss your experience with module 3.2 submissions and how you've navigated health authority questions in the past.
✨Emphasise Innovation and Continuous Improvement
Talk about how you've championed new technologies or digital approaches in your previous roles. Share specific examples of how you've driven efficiency and measurable impact through innovative process design and optimisation.