Digital Lead

Introduction to role:

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 brand-new facility will deliver end-to-end Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) capabilities with different manufacturing units/buildings in one campus, including:

• 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 modern 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 biologics manufacturing.

We are looking for passionate individuals who thrive in dynamic environments and bring a “make-it-happen” approach. Joining us means contributing to a project that will not only transform AstraZeneca’s global supply chain but also advance life-changing medicines for patients everywhere.

As Digital Lead for our Singapore Operations, this role goes beyond traditional digital strategy and focuses on:

• Embedding autonomy by design across production, quality, engineering, supply chain, etc
• Operationalising predictive and adaptive capabilities enabled through data, models, and digital twins
• Driving data architecture to enable real-time decision-making and closed-loop control

This is a high-impact leadership role working closely with global and local teams to ensure that:

• Autonomous capabilities are embedded from Day 1 and scaled rapidly
• The site evolves from predictive to adaptive maturity, demonstrating continuous data learning and optimisation
• Digital investments are tightly aligned to strategic priorities, generating measurable value, efficiency, and revenue growth

Accountabilities:

• Lead the Digital Strategy: Own and deliver the Digital Roadmap for an autonomous enabled manufacturing campus at launch, with infrastructure to scale to full autonomy.  Ensure alignment with business priorities, long-term operational performance, global standards and enterprise initiatives
• Deliver a Smart, Data-Driven Manufacturing Environment: Establish the digital capabilities required for real-time visibility, predictive insights, and improved decision-making across production, quality, engineering, supply chain, etc.
• Drive End-to-End Digital Integration: Collaborate with IT/OT and project management teams for seamless integration of manufacturing, quality, engineering, and enterprise systems to enable a connected and efficient operation. Define process & data requirements and deliver integrated business outcomes
• Enable Advanced Analytics and New Technologies: Champion the design of data, creation and adoption of data models and advanced analytics, and AI-enabled solutions to improve productivity, quality, and reliability. Serve as a role model site/function showcasing groundbreaking technologies and practices - centre of expertise
• Partner across functions to deliver Business Value: Collaborate across teams globally and locally to ensure digital initiatives are aligned to business needs and deliver measurable outcomes
• Build an AI-Enabled Workforce: Build digital capability and literacy across all functions, supported by AI, digital coaching, and sophisticated data analysis
• Establish Governance and Prioritisation: Set clear priorities, governance, and performance tracking (e.g. cost savings, efficiency gains, etc) to ensure digital investments deliver sustainable value. Plan for program implementations and develop relevant business case analysis, budgets and design of change management processes
• Represent the Site in Global Digital Initiatives: Engage with various internal and external partners to drive collaboration and smart solutions. Act as a key interface to global digital and technology teams, ensuring alignment with enterprise standards and sharing best practices.
• Lead Multidisciplinary team: Directing multidisciplinary teams of data scientists, engineers, project management and digital strategists to design and implement digital solutions
• Drive innovation with rigor by balancing ambition and GMP compliance. Focus on digital investments that deliver value. Lead and motivate in a complex matrix environment. Model the right behaviours and help build a strong, inclusive, data-driven organisation that continuously improves.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree or equivalent experience in engineering, computer science, business, or related field
• Solid years in digital transformation, operations, manufacturing, or technology roles
• Proven delivery of end-to-end digital transformation or Industry 4.0 initiatives in manufacturing (preferably pharma/biologics) and track record delivering digital solutions
• Ability to lead multi-functional change in highly regulated environments
• Knowledge of digital technologies (IoT, cloud platforms, AI/ML, data analytics, automation) and understanding of enterprise systems (ERP, MES, etc)
• Strong communicator with experience in leading, influencing and mentoring multi-functional and matrix teams
• Agility to handle both tactically and strategically, to prepare contingency plans and ensure execution of plans
• Sound judgment and comfortable operating in a challenging, fast-paced and sometimes ambiguous environment
• Innovative, with strong focus and experience in delivering continuous improvement using digital solutions

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Formal certification in relevant field
• Practical usage of Agile Methodology
• Experience of working in a global organisation with complex/geographical context
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements for clinical and commercial biopharmaceutical facilities
• Pharmaceutical and/or cross industry business awareness/business domain knowledge

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we ignite 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.

Why AstraZeneca:

This is where technology and science meet to speed life-changing medicines to people who need them. You will help shape smart factories that run better today and adapt faster tomorrow, from automated workflows on the line to machine learning that lifts batch quality. We bring engineers, data scientists and manufacturing experts together to experiment, share findings and scale quickly, backed by leaders who invest for long-term impact. We value kindness alongside ambition, and we connect your individual contribution to outcomes that matter for patients, the planet and our business.

Call-to-action:

If you are ready to build a flagship autonomous site in Singapore and lead the shift to truly adaptive manufacturing, we want to hear how you will make it real.