Posted:
2/12/2026, 5:54:54 AM
Location(s):
Massachusetts, United States ⋅ Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
Experience Level(s):
Senior
Field(s):
Operations & Logistics
Job Title: AI Lead: Manufacturing & Supply Chain
Location: Boston Seaport, USA
At AstraZeneca, we pride ourselves on crafting a collaborative culture that champions knowledge-sharing, ambitious thinking and innovation – ultimately providing employees with the opportunity to work across teams, functions and even the globe.
Recognizing the importance of individualized flexibility, our ways of working allow employees to balance personal and work commitments while ensuring we continue to create a strong culture of collaboration and teamwork by engaging face-to-face in our offices 3 days a week. Our head office is purposely designed with collaboration in mind, providing space where teams can come together to strategize, brainstorm and connect on key projects.
As AstraZeneca continues to put patients at the forefront of our mission, we are excited for our move to Kendall Square/Cambridge in 2026. Find out more information here: Kendall Square Press Release
Introduction to Role:
Alexion is seeking a visionary AI leader to shape and implement the AI strategy across our manufacturing, quality, and supply chain operations. In this pivotal role, you will partner with global operations teams to turn sophisticated production and quality challenges into intelligent, AI‑powered solutions that drive efficiency, enhance reliability, and ensure patients receive life‑changing therapies safely and on time.
You will lead the design, development, and adoption of sophisticated AI/ML capabilities that optimize drug production, strengthen quality systems, streamline distribution, and enable data‑driven operational excellence. This role blends deep technical expertise with strong product thinking, manufacturing insight, and exceptional partner leadership.
Accountabilities:
AI Strategy & Portfolio: Identify and prioritize high impact AI use cases in manufacturing, quality control, and supply chain optimization. Govern the portfolio from proof of concept through validation to scaled products, with clear stage gates, success metrics, and value tracking.
Ownership & Delivery: Act as the product owner for AI solutions (e.g., yield optimization, anomaly detection, batch release acceleration, demand and supply forecasting, inventory optimization, network planning, etc.). Set problem statements, adoption thresholds, and benefits realization plans; oversee delivery with internal teams and partners.
Business Interface & Partnerships: Serve as the primary interface between manufacturing, quality and supply chain teams, and external AI partners. Translate business needs into AI solutions. Evaluate buy build partner options and manage vendors/consortia.
Workflow Integration & Change: Lead crossfunctional integration of AI into MES, ERP, LIMS/ELN, QMS, APS, WMS, and logistics platforms, maintaining a strong focus on GMP/GxP compliance. Ensure AI driven insights are actionable in daily operations, supporting root cause analysis and continuous process improvement. Motivate change management (stakeholder engagement, training/upskilling, superuser networks, SOP/role updates, communications, feedback loops) to accelerate adoption and scale.
Data & Platforms: Partner with the Head of Data and tech teams to ensure data quality and secure integration across manufacturing and supply chain data sources. Influence platform choices and manage buy build partner decisions with clear success criteria and vendor governance.
Governance, GMP/GxP, and Responsible AI: Ensure adherence to GMP/GxP, data integrity (ALCOA+), validation (CSV/CSA), privacy, and audit requirements. Apply responsible AI practices including model validation, explain-ability, monitoring and drift management, change control, role based access, and inspection ready documentation.
Impact & Communication: Define goals and achievements/critical metrics tied to business outcomes (e.g., uptime, efficiency/yield, batch release cycle time, deviation recurrence, schedule adherence, inventory turns, etc). Track and communicate progress, impact, and value to business teams and executive leadership with clear narratives and evidence.
Talent & Culture: Drive upskilling, change management, and a culture of AI adoption on the shop floor and in the supply chain. Build a crossfunctional network of superusers and AI champions; set standards and best practices.
Essential Skills/Experience:
Education: BS in Computer Science, Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Information Systems, or a relevant field required. MS or MBA preferred, with strong exposure to biopharma/biotech manufacturing, quality, and supply chain, and meaningful AI familiarity (coursework, certifications, executive programs, or applied initiatives).
Experience: 10+ years in biopharma or biotech Manufacturing, Quality, Technical Operations, or Supply Chain; 5+ years leading crossfunctional, technology enabled portfolios with measurable outcomes. Demonstrated success sponsoring/advising AI initiatives from concept to scaled adoption; not responsible for hands on coding or model development.
Business Domain Expertise: Deep understanding of GMP manufacturing, quality systems, tech ops, and end to end supply chain. Proven track record to translate operational needs into AI enabled solutions that improve reliability, cycle time, and cost.
Product and Portfolio Leadership: Proven track record to define roadmaps, prioritize portfolios, manage budgets, and deliver measurable impact.
Stakeholder Management: Credible partner to Plant Ops, Quality/QA, Supply Chain, Engineering, Procurement, Finance, Digital/IT, and Data/Tech; influences without authority and aligns internal and external partners.
Workflow Integration & Change: Track record embedding AI into MES, ERP, LIMS/ELN, QMS, APS, WMS, and logistics workflows; adept at change leadership, training, and benefits realization with human in the loop controls.
Data & Governance Fluency: Familiarity with key data domains (Manufacturing process and equipment, batch records, planning, QC and lab, etc.) and principles for quality, access controls, and lineage/traceability; experienced in vendor management.
Regulatory & Compliance: Solid understanding of GMP/GxP, validation (CSV/CSA), audit requirements, and documentation standards; familiarity with responsible AI and model risk management in GMP contexts.
Technical Fluency (noncoding): Comfortable engaging with AI/ML concepts relevant to operations (predictive modeling, anomaly detection, forecasting and optimization, NLP for deviations and CAPA, computer vision for inspection). Able to assess value, risk, and feasibility; understand AI and platform considerations to make informed decisions and ask the right questions without needing to code or build models.
Communication & Storytelling: Exceptional ability to simplify AI concepts business audiences; craft outcome focused narratives and adoption cases; report progress, impact, and value to business and executive leadership with clear evidence and tradeoffs.
Desirable Skills/Experience:
Rare disease or biologics manufacturing, including small batch operations, and specialized logistics.
Experience acting as business product owner for AI solutions, driving adoption and measurable outcomes.
Portfolio financial acuity (investment cases, ROI) and partnership governance (buy build partner, success measures, IP/publications stance).
Where can I find out more?
Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn
Follow Alexion on LinkedIn
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Learn more about Alexion at www.alexion.com
At Alexion, you will find a collaborative culture that encourages innovation and a diverse environment where your contributions are valued. You will have the opportunity to be at the forefront of rare disease research and make a meaningful difference in patients' lives.
Ready to lead and inspire? Apply now and take the first step towards an exciting career at Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease.
The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from $186,214 to $279,201. 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.
Alexion 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 align with all applicable laws and regulations on inclusivity in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements. Alexion is committed to accommodating persons with disabilities. Such accommodation is available on request in respect of all aspects of the recruitment, assessment and selection process and may be requested by emailing [email protected].
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Date Posted
12-Feb-2026Closing Date
01-Mar-2026Our 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.
Website: https://www.astrazeneca.com/
Headquarter Location: Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Employee Count: 1001-5000
Year Founded: 1999
IPO Status: Public
Industries: Emergency Medicine ⋅ Manufacturing ⋅ Medical ⋅ Oncology ⋅ Pharmaceutical