

New · posted Nov 4
AstraZeneca · Biotechnology
Senior Specialist, Cell Therapy Vein-to-Vein Process Excellence & Quality Operations
- Gaithersburg, MD
- On-site
- Full-time
- Senior & Principal
The role
At AstraZeneca Cell Therapy, we are building the capabilities required to deliver complex, personalized therapies through a highly coordinated, patient-centered operating model. As we strengthen our Vein-to-Vein Operations, we are increasing our focus on standardized execution, patient and product traceability, proactive exception management, operational performance, and quality.
The Senior Specialist, Cell Therapy V2V Process Excellence & Quality Operations will support the implementation, standardization, and continuous improvement of scalable Vein-to-Vein processes across the patient and product journey. The role will translate approved operating models and process standards into practical workflows, controlled documentation, performance measures, and improvement initiatives that enable consistent, compliant, and inspection-ready execution. Working across Vein-to-Vein Operations, Quality, Manufacturing, Clinical Operations, Digital, Trade Compliance, treatment sites, and external logistics partners, you will identify process gaps, strengthen operational controls, and support clinical-to-commercial growth.
Date Posted
03-Nov-2026
Closing Date
10-Nov-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.
What you need
Accountabilities
- Implement and continuously improve assigned end-to-end Vein-to-Vein processes across the patient and product journey, in alignment with approved process standards and governance.
- Develop and maintain clear, controlled process maps, business rules, playbooks, templates, decision trees, RACIs, SOPs, and work instructions.
- Embed GxP, GDP, quality-by-design, and inspection-readiness expectations into V2V operational processes and documentation.
- Partner with Quality and operational stakeholders on deviation investigations, root-cause analysis, CAPA development and implementation, change controls, risk assessments, and effectiveness checks, within assigned responsibilities.
- Analyze recurring deviations, exceptions, handoff failures, and operational trends; distinguish isolated execution issues from systemic process gaps; and recommend sustainable improvements.
- Maintain and improve operational controls that protect Chain of Identity and Chain of Custody, including defined handoffs, verification points, escalation pathways, and exception-management requirements.
- Conduct documented process-readiness and gap assessments for new products, treatment sites, countries, logistics lanes, and service models, and track identified actions to closure.
- Support clinical-to-commercial transition and launch readiness by ensuring processes, documentation, training, quality controls, and escalation mechanisms are established and operationally executable.
- Partner with Digital and business stakeholders to translate process needs into business requirements and support testing, deployment, and adoption of V2V capabilities.
- Promote a patient-centered quality culture in which risks and potential issues are identified, escalated, and addressed proactively.
Essential Skills/Experience
- Bachelor's degree in supply chain or a related field.
- At least 5 years of relevant experience in biopharma, cell therapy, pharmaceutical supply chain, quality operations, process excellence, or another regulated operational environment.
- Demonstrated experience in process mapping, process optimization, structured root-cause analysis, deviation and CAPA support, risk assessment, or continuous improvement.
- Working knowledge of GMP, GDP, GxP, controlled documentation, and inspection-readiness requirements.
- Experience translating complex operational requirements into clear processes, standards, procedures, and business requirements.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, facilitation, communication, and stakeholder-management skills.
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and influence Operations, Quality, Digital, Manufacturing, Clinical, and external partners in a matrix environment.
Desirable Skills/Experience
- Experience in cell therapy, autologous supply chain, personalized medicine, or another patient-specific operating model.
- Knowledge of patient and order orchestration, cold-chain logistics, and COI/COC traceability.
- Experience supporting commercial launch readiness, clinical-to-commercial transition, or global network expansion.
- Lean or Six Sigma training or certification.
- Experience with FMEA, process governance, SOP/WI frameworks, digital capability deployment, and process-controlled change.
- Experience with Excel, Power BI, Visio, Smartsheet, or similar process and analytics tools.
The annual base pay for this position ranges from $89K to $134K. 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. *This position does not offer visa sponsorship.
Pay and benefits
$89,000 – $134,000 a year
Employer providedQualified retirement programs
Paid time off
Health coverage
Dental coverage
Vision coverage
Short-term incentive bonuses
Where you'll work
Gaithersburg, MDOn-siteOpen in Maps (opens in a new tab)
More jobs in Gaithersburg, MDJob intelligence
The context around this role
Live data · November 4, 2026
Salary intelligence
How the pay compares
This role's midpoint is 17% above the US median for Quality Operations & Batch Release roles at this level.
This roleEmployer provided
Senior & Principal roles in the US12 roles publishing pay
| Annual base pay | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| This role | $89,000 | — | $134,000 |
| All US (middle half) | $93,000 | $95,500 | $105,875 |
This role: AstraZeneca's own published range. Comparisons: the base pay employers published on open Quality Operations & Batch Release roles at the same level on Regulatory Jobs, November 4, 2026. Nothing is estimated.
Career trajectory
Where this role sits in Quality Operations & Batch Release
The general path across 83 open Quality Operations & Batch Release roles on Regulatory Jobs, with the titles they carry most. Not AstraZeneca's own promotion track.
Skills DNA
What this role leans on
How many of the posting's 29 duty, requirement and summary lines touch each area. The posting's emphasis, not a proficiency score.
- Documentation and SOPs8
- Collaboration and leadership5
- GMP and compliance3
- Investigations and CAPA3
- Quality systems and risk3
- Lab testing and methods2
- Data and digital systems1
Regulatory intelligence
The rules, regulations and standards behind this role
The regulations, guidance and standards that govern Quality Operations & Batch Release work in biotechnology, led by the two this posting names, each linked to the agency or standards body that publishes it.
- FDA21 CFR Parts 210 and 211(official source, opens in a new tab)FDA current good manufacturing practice for finished pharmaceuticalsNamed in the posting
- EUEU Good Distribution Practice(official source, opens in a new tab)Guidelines on good distribution practice of medicinal products for human useNamed in the posting
- EUEU GMP (EudraLex Volume 4)(official source, opens in a new tab)The EU's good manufacturing practice rules, including Annex 1 sterile and Annex 15 validation
- ICHICH Q10(official source, opens in a new tab)The pharmaceutical quality system across the product lifecycle
- FDAFDA data integrity guidance(official source, opens in a new tab)Data Integrity and Compliance With Drug CGMP: Questions and Answers
- ICHICH Q9(R1)(official source, opens in a new tab)Quality risk management
- FDA21 CFR 314.70(official source, opens in a new tab)Supplements and other changes to an approved application (post-approval CMC changes)
- FDAFDA OOS guidance(official source, opens in a new tab)Investigating Out-of-Specification (OOS) Test Results for Pharmaceutical Production
- FDA21 CFR Part 11(official source, opens in a new tab)FDA rules for electronic records and electronic signatures
- FDAFDA aseptic processing guidance(official source, opens in a new tab)Sterile Drug Products Produced by Aseptic Processing: Current Good Manufacturing Practice
- FDA21 CFR Parts 600 to 680(official source, opens in a new tab)FDA standards for biological products, from licensing to lot release
- ICHICH Q7(official source, opens in a new tab)Good manufacturing practice for active pharmaceutical ingredients
- FDAFDA quality agreements guidance(official source, opens in a new tab)Contract Manufacturing Arrangements for Drugs: Quality Agreements
- FDADrug Supply Chain Security Act(official source, opens in a new tab)Product tracing, verification and serialization across the US drug supply chain
- FDA21 CFR Part 7(official source, opens in a new tab)FDA enforcement policy, including product recalls
- USPUSP–NF(official source, opens in a new tab)US Pharmacopeia general chapters and monographs, such as <61> bioburden, <85> endotoxin, <1225> validation
Company hiring pulse
AstraZeneca on Regulatory Jobs
- 36
- Open roles
- 33
- Distinct roles
- 10
- Locations
By discipline
- Quality16 44%
- Clinical14 39%
- Regulatory6 17%
By level
- Director17 47%
- Associate & Specialist11 31%
- Senior & Principal5 14%
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Senior Specialist, Cell Therapy Vein-to-Vein Process Excellence & Quality Operations at AstraZeneca
Applications close November 11. $89K–$134K a year, employer provided.

