Head of Automation, OT & Manufacturing Intelligence

Are you ready to shape a harmonized automation and OT network that accelerates life-changing medicines for people with rare diseases? In this role you will architect the enterprise vision and operating standards for automation, OT and manufacturing intelligence, then translate them into roadmaps and programs that unlock resilience, compliance and speed across a global, multi-site network.

Based in Dublin with a global remit, you will orchestrate execution across manufacturing, quality, supply chain and IT/OT, while empowering sites to deliver safe, compliant day-to-day operations. You will lead large cross-functional automation/OT programs, govern enterprise platforms and standards, and turn manufacturing data into trusted intelligence that improves reliability, yield, cycle time and cost. Can you prevent technical drift while lifting capability and consistency across sites?

Accountabilities

Enterprise Automation & OT Strategy: Define and own the enterprise automation and OT strategy and a single integrated network roadmap, aligned with Operations, Quality, Engineering and Digital/IT priorities; set success metrics and report progress to senior governance.

Standards and Design Authority: Act as enterprise design authority for automation architecture, control-system design, OT infrastructure, configuration management, change control and validation readiness; lead cross-site technical forums and governance to enable consistent decisions and investment planning.

Network Harmonization: Prevent technical and operational drift by driving convergence of platforms, architectures and ways of working across sites; set shared technical direction and a common capability framework through dotted-line leadership of site automation heads.

Operational Assurance and Compliance: Set common expectations for architecture, resilience and assurance of manufacturing computer systems and OT, and monitor network-wide reliability, lifecycle health and inspection readiness; provide senior SME support for regulatory inspections, deviations, CAPAs and data-integrity assessments.

Industrial Cybersecurity: Own, with enterprise IT, the OT cybersecurity strategy, architecture standards and control framework; maintain a network view of OT risk and assure consistent site improvement plans and closure of cross-site gaps.

Manufacturing Data and Intelligence: Oversee manufacturing data flows between automation layers, MES, ERP, historians and analytics platforms; govern data models, contextualization and integrity so data is trusted, comparable and inspection-ready; enable end-to-end real-time visibility on OEE, traceability, e-batch records and performance.

Cross-Functional Program Leadership: Provide end-to-end oversight of large cross-functional automation/OT projects and programs from concept through handover; assure scope, schedule, cost, quality and compliance, and manage risk, resources and vendor performance within enterprise partner frameworks.

Operating Model and Portfolio Ownership: Evolve the operating model, funding approach and resourcing; own the automation/OT investment portfolio and medium/long-term prioritization, while sites own their operating and capital budgets aligned to the enterprise frame; sponsor change networks, training, communications and benefits realization.

External Partnerships and Funding: Represent the network within AstraZeneca’s broader manufacturing technology community; bring outside-in best practice from industry forums and peer networks; own strategic vendor and platform frameworks to ensure consistent buying and integration; partner with agencies to unlock technology and automation funding.

Leadership and Capability: Directly lead the Projects Lead and the Manufacturing Intelligence Lead and their teams, setting clear goals and building succession depth; grow technical excellence across the network through coaching and communities of practice; champion safety, quality, compliance, accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Essential Skills/Experience

Experience: 15+ years of progressive experience with a proven track record leading automation and OT, large program delivery and manufacturing data across end-to-end supply chain, manufacturing and quality/QC in biopharma or highly regulated manufacturing.

E2E operations and technical depth: Deep understanding of supply chain, manufacturing and quality/QC combined with strong automation and OT knowledge across PLC, DCS/Delta V (MCS), HMI, historian, MES, industrial networks, Windows-based OT infrastructure, vision and motion control, manufacturing system integration, and manufacturing data and intelligence.

Strategic leadership: Ability to set vision and strategy, translate them into actionable portfolios and roadmaps, and deliver measurable outcomes at enterprise scale.

Standards and governance: Strong grounding in cGMP, GxP, GAMP, computer system validation, data integrity, OT/industrial cybersecurity, change control and inspection readiness, with the judgment to act as design authority across sites.

Influence and storytelling: Exceptional communication and executive presence; able to simplify complexity into compelling narratives that secure buy-in across senior leadership and cross-functional teams.

Transformation delivery: Hands-on leadership of change, adoption and benefits realization; high bias for action and resilience in navigating organizational complexity.

Required qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Automation, Electrical, Electronic, Computer, Software or Control Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.

Desirable Skills/Experience

Advanced degree or chartered status; MBA or postgraduate qualification in business, operations or technology management.

Certifications in project/programme management, automation platforms, cybersecurity, validation/GAMP, lean or operational excellence.

Experience with industry forums such as BioPhorum or ISPE; participation in national or internal industry councils.

Familiarity with IT/OT convergence; experience engaging funding agencies and managing external or co-funded grants.

Why AstraZeneca

Here, patients shape our priorities, and our teams rally around bold ideas with kindness and ambition. You will work with unexpected teams in the same room, engineers, data scientists, manufacturing leaders, unleashing bold thinking on cutting-edge platforms that connect plants, data and decisions. It’s a place with the spirit of a nimble biotech and the scale to turn strategy into impact, where your leadership builds the backbone that helps therapies reach people faster, and where we value empathy alongside performance so you can grow while making a difference.

Date Posted

30-Oct-2026

Closing Date

11-Nov-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.