Associate Director, External Operations, Cell Therapy - External Supply Management

The Associate Director, External Operations, Cell Therapy – External Supply Management, leads external manufacturing partner operations. These operations span a network of CDMOs and external partners supporting cell therapy across autologous, allogeneic, in vivo, and new platforms. You will create operational governance, tech transfer, batch execution, investigations, and risk management to meet supply, quality, and cost targets. You will support programs across development, clinical, scale-up, validations, launch readiness and commercialization as portfolio evolves. You will partner cross‑functionally with CMC Product Leadership, Process Development, Quality, Regulatory, Procurement, and Finance to ensure external supply. The role is based in Gaithersburg, MD and report to the Head of External Supply - Cell Therapy Products You will: Lead daily operational management of assigned CDMOs/external manufacturing partners to ensure performance against supply, quality, and cost targets. Guide execution across tech transfer, manufacturing, release, delivery, issue resolution, deviations, investigations. Be a primary operational interface across technical operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Regulatory, CMC, Program management, finance, procurement and legal Lead change management implementation at external partners following CMC Product Strategy. Oversee/coordinate change control, impact assessment, and implementation plan. Establish and run partner governance, including business reviews, escalation pathways, performance monitoring and action tracking Translate program needs and demand plans into executable external supply plans and clear partner priorities Build, accountable relationships with external partners while on execution, quality, timeline, cost and supply reliability Support negotiations and content of contracts such as MSAs, SOWs, Change Orders and other commercial agreements to ensure they reflect operational scope, supply requirements, governance, milestones and cost of goods optimization. . Manage supplier's performance against the contract deliverables. Oversee budget input to Program Budgets and monitor spend against budgets. Promote continuous improvements of external operations processes, scorecards and way of working across the network Ensure end‑to‑end integration of physical and financial flows in SAP across CDMO operations covering master data, subcontracting, batch status/release, GR/IR, variance and WIP settlement, and KPI reporting. You have: Bachelor's degree in engineering, life sciences or related discipline is required; advanced degree preferred. Minimum 8+ years' experience in biotech, pharma or advanced therapy GMP operations. Experience applying lean, structural and continuous improvement to deliver more efficient and reliable operations. Cross‑functional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management. Experience working in and with multiple geographies and achieve success through collaboration. Experience applying digital, analytics and AI-enabled workflows to improve visibility, workflow efficiency and operational execution. Desired skills: Experience in SAP and inventory to COGS. At least 2 years of experience in cell and gene therapy including management of CDMOs and external suppliers. The annual base pay for this position ranges from $115K to $173K. Our positions offer eligibility for multiple 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 02-Jun-2026 Closing Date 04-Jun-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.