Cell Therapy Manufacturing Planning Lead

Introduction to role:

Are you ready to convert complex manufacturing realities into clear choices that expand patient access to breakthrough cell therapies? Do you thrive at the point where analytics, operations and investment decisions converge to shape how life-changing medicines reach people who need them?

In this role, you will be the enterprise’s cell therapy manufacturing planning authority—translating site-level intelligence into standardized assumptions, scenario models and network recommendations that inform our most important supply decisions. Your work will directly influence how and where we manufacture, how quickly we scale, and how we balance risk and cost—accelerating therapies for patients facing cancer and other serious diseases.

Reporting to the Head of Cell Therapy Manufacturing and partnering closely with Global Supply Chain, Finance and site leaders, you will build the analytical backbone that guides capacity, technology transitions and capital deployment across our network. This is a high-visibility opportunity to shape a next-generation supply network and deliver tangible impact at speed.

Accountabilities:

• Network Strategy and Assumptions: Synthesize inputs from site heads and site supply chain leads into a clear, maintained set of planning assumptions; recommend capacity allocations, geographic footprint, and risk-balanced configurations that protect supply and enable growth.
• Scenario Modeling and Decision Support: Build and maintain sophisticated models that test demand variability, technology transitions, new product introductions, workforce constraints and capital sequencing; turn outputs into actionable choices for Cell Therapy Technical Operations and structured inputs for Global Supply Chain Network Planning.
• Dynamic Capacity Modeling: Develop multi-parameter capacity models incorporating cycle times, technology readiness, workforce availability and maintenance schedules; optimize across COGM, workforce utilization and adoption pacing to unlock step-change performance.
• Cost and Unit Economics: Partner with Finance and site operations to model COGM across the network; identify supply configurations and investment strategies that deliver advantaged unit economics at multiple demand levels.
• Workforce Planning: Quantify headcount, skill-mix evolution, training lead times and labor cost sensitivity for key scenarios; ensure strategies are executable and aligned with the Workforce Evolution roadmap.
• Technology Adoption Planning: Model automation, closed systems, next-generation platforms and robotics transitions; define parallel processing, revalidation timelines and expected productivity gains to de-risk changeovers.
• Data Governance and Standards: Establish structured processes to collect, validate and normalize operational data and forward-looking assumptions from sites; maintain high data integrity for planning and governance use.
• Enterprise Governance Engagement: Participate in Global Supply Chain governance with CTM-specific data packages, feasibility assessments and scenario outputs; influence outcomes with rigorous analysis within established frameworks.
• Demand Translation: Collaborate with Global Supply Chain and Portfolio teams to interpret patient demand signals, launch timelines and indication expansions; translate these into capacity requirements and site-level constraints.
• Capital Investment Cases: Build scenario-backed business cases for network investments; recommend sequencing, capacity triggers and phased options that protect patients and capital efficiency.
• Risk Identification and Mitigation: Quantify supply risks across the network; model mitigations and present risk-adjusted recommendations to guide resilient decision-making.
• Advanced Planning Tools and Digital Capability: Define CTM-specific requirements for digital twins, AI-enabled demand sensing and capacity optimization algorithms; partner to configure tools that reflect cell therapy realities.
• Performance Measurement: Develop and report CTM network metrics such as capacity utilization, on-time-in-full, schedule adherence and COGM reduction progress; spotlight insights that drive continuous improvement.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain Analytics, Operations Research, Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, or related quantitative field
• Minimum 10 years in pharmaceutical/biotech supply chain analytics, network modeling, or strategic planning with at least 5 years focused on network-level scenario planning or capacity optimization
• Experience with cell therapy, biologics, or personalized medicine supply chains strongly preferred
• Advanced proficiency in capacity modeling, Monte Carlo simulation, optimization algorithms, and multi-variable scenario analysis; understanding of cell therapy manufacturing constraints; familiarity with supply chain governance processes from a contributor/input-provider perspective
• Expert-level proficiency in advanced analytics platforms (Python, R, or equivalent), capacity modeling tools, simulation software, and data visualization (Power BI, Tableau); experience with planning platforms (Kinaxis, o9, OMP from a data-input and requirements-definition perspective
• Exceptional quantitative analysis, structured problem-solving, storytelling with data, ability to synthesize complex multi-source inputs into clear recommendations, collaborative partnering mindset, comfort operating within established governance frameworks while influencing outcomes through analytical rigor
• Intellectually curious, detail-oriented yet able to communicate at the executive level, comfortable with ambiguity, and adept at building credibility through the quality of analytical outputs rather than positional authority.

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Master's degree
• Hands-on experience with cell therapy or personalized medicine manufacturing, including understanding of vein-to-vein constraints and variable cycle times
• Working knowledge of cGMP operations and the practical realities of tech transfer, validation and change control
• Proven track record designing or operating digital twins and advanced planning solutions for complex, multi-site networks
• Experience building investment cases for manufacturing capacity and technology transitions, including sensitivity analyses and trigger-based phasing
• Demonstrated capability to lead cross-functional data collection and validation processes across sites and functions
• Advanced cost modeling expertise, including labor modeling, overhead absorption, and make/buy or internal/external network scenarios
• Exposure to robotics, closed systems and automation roadmaps in a regulated manufacturing environment
• Strong executive communication, including simplifying complex scenarios into option-value trade-offs for senior governance forums

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $161,252.80 - $241,879.20. 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.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

Why AstraZeneca:

Here you will help shape a cell therapy supply network built to move faster than disease—combining cutting-edge science with advanced analytics and digital planning to reach patients sooner. We bring unconventional teams together, empower them with real data and the autonomy to act, and back bold ideas with sustained investment. Your analytical leadership will have a direct line to patient impact as we push toward a future where far fewer families lose someone to cancer. We value kindness alongside ambition, encourage questions, and celebrate those who turn complex realities into clear, executable plans.

If you are ready to lead the models, metrics and decisions that power a next-generation cell therapy network, step forward and help us deliver more for patients, faster!

Date Posted

09-Jul-2026

Closing Date

16-Jul-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 embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.