Associate Director - Automation

Job Title: Associate Director - Automation Career Level: E About Singapore ADC Site: Be part of history in the making. AstraZeneca is building its first biologics manufacturing campus in Singapore — a groundbreaking USD 1.5 billion investment that will serve as a global hub for innovation and excellence. This innovative facility will deliver end-to-end Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) capabilities with different manufacturing units/buildings in one campus: • Small molecule- chemical API production • Large molecule- monoclonal antibody manufacturing • Conjugation • Fill-and-finish operations, including sterile filling and lyophilization • Final secondary packaging The campus will be equipped with innovative digital and automation infrastructure, enabling autonomous manufacturing powered by artificial intelligence. In addition, it will be designed for carbon neutrality, embedding sustainability into every aspect of operations and setting a new benchmark for environmentally responsible biologic's manufacturing. Introduction to role: Are you ready to lead automation that accelerates safe, reliable medicines to patients and brings a smart factory vision to life? This role connects strategy to execution, turning digital ambition into operational reality across a complex manufacturing environment. You will set the direction for Operational Technology and automation, guide high-impact projects from concept to qualification, and build a culture where engineers thrive. Working closely with multi-functional partners, you will ensure our plants are ready for tomorrow’s demands—more medicines, delivered faster and more affordably—while safeguarding quality and compliance. How will you shape our OT landscape to unlock autonomous manufacturing and measurable performance gains? Accountabilities: OT Strategy and Architecture: Provide guidance into the development of engineering approaches and OT strategy, ensuring systems are specified and delivered in alignment with AstraZeneca’s global automation strategy and the broader Engineering framework. Program Leadership and Delivery: Manage planning, budgeting, solution development, supplier liaison and contract management to deliver projects that achieve operational readiness and sustained performance in operations. Stake-holder Collaboration: Collaborate with Global Engineering and Site Engineering to drive successful project execution and readiness; work with Global IT to align data standards and infrastructure that enable autonomous manufacturing and smart factory technologies. Technical Authority and Critical issue: Act as a technical advisor to senior management and an escalation point for complex issues; develop fit-for-purpose engineering delivery solutions aligned to global and local priorities. Performance and Cost Management: Control and monitor cost, capacity planning and utilization to operate within budget; own and drive critical metrics across productivity, quality, safety, schedule adherence and cost. Standards and Compliance: Develop standards that achieve technical excellence, right-first-time outcomes and regulatory compliance; participate in FDA audits and other inspections, supporting audit readiness and automation-related responses. Validation Leadership: Lead and execute FAT/SAT/IQ/OQ/PQ activities end-to-end, including planning, coordination, documentation review, test execution, deviation resolution and final closure. Expansion and Change Enablement: Support and deliver in-house expansion projects involving automation scope; support the business in communicating and enabling change across the area. Digital, Data and AI Enablement: Use approved AI tools and digital capabilities to improve work efficiency, support analysis, enhance documentation workflows and strengthen problem-solving effectiveness; develop or support automation dashboards and reporting to increase visibility of system performance, alarms, trends and operational insights. Supplier and Contract Management: Manage supplier performance and maintain contracts that secure reliable, high-quality engineering services for projects and operations. People Leadership and Culture: Coach automation engineers and own development plans; create an inclusive, collaborative culture, own grey areas across functions and drive best-in-class outcomes with diverse teams. Continuous Improvement and Sustainability: Drive a Continuous Improvement mind-set that delivers lean, cost-efficient operations and supports environmental sustainability goals. Documentation and Governance: Maintain technical-documentation in line with internal procedures and regulatory requirements, including system records, specifications, test documents and change documentation. Essential Skills/Experience: • Degree in Engineering • Leadership experience in manufacturing, engineering, and project management • Capability in developing and implementing business strategy • Project and change-management skills • Leadership experience in managing teams • Comprehensive understanding of lean operations • Experience and comfort in dealing with ambiguity • Full and detailed knowledge of relevant Safety, Health & Environment legislation • Proven domain expertise in SCADA/PLC and DCS • Deep knowledge in IT/OT architecture and OT cybersecurity Desirable Skills/Experience: • Post-graduate Engineering or business qualification • Implementation of Digital / autonomous roadmap • Facility startup and ops preparation • Knowledge in cGMP regulations and regulatory agency expectations 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…