Director – Process Safety
Macclesfield
At AstraZeneca, we are driven by our commitment to deliver accelerated growth and to make people's lives better. We thrive in our often intense and ambiguous environment, seeking out new challenges and working towards new solutions. We are part of an inclusive and giving community, supporting each other on our journeys. We are leading the way in delivering Lean processes that drive greater efficiency and speed. Sustainable practices are at the heart of what we do, ensuring we manage our environmental impact across all our activities and products.
We are now looking for a Director – Process Safety to join the team!
Introduction to Role
To manage the Process Safety pillar at the Macclesfield site, providing director-level accountability for COMAH Lower Tier compliance, DSEAR, Major Accident Hazard prevention, fire safety strategy, incident management, business continuity, and emergency response coordination. The role is the named senior voice for Process Safety at senior leadership teams and the regulator-facing partner for HSE COMAH inspectorate, Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service, and corporate insurer
Accountabilities
- Hold named director-level accountability for the campus COMAH Lower Tier programme including the Major Accident Prevention Policy (MAPP), COMAH Safety Management System , Reg 6 notifications, Major Accident Hazards (MAH) risk management, barrier health reporting, Safety Critical Element (SCE) register, Written Scheme of Examination, human factors roadmap (safety-critical task analysis, alarm handling, staffing assessment, fatigue and shift handover), domino group information exchange, and Competent Authority (CA) intervention plans. Ensure compliance with relevant statutory requirements such as COMAH and DSEAR. Oversee major accident notifications and land use planning obligations, and provide governance for emergency response, insurer engagement, and Campus Serious Incident Management Team (SIMT).
- Lead and develop the Process Safety team, comprising the COMAH Subject Matter Expert (SME); Associate Director - Site Safety Operations & Resilience, and the 5 Emergency Coordinators providing 24/7 response team coverage. Provide leadership across the wider Process Safety agenda, departmental Safety Health and Environment (SHE) Advisor community, emergency response capability, and resilience planning.
- Line-manages the 5 Emergency Coordinators providing 24/7 on-shift cover through rota governance, capability development, on-call arrangements, post-shift debrief and learning cycles. Coordination and planning support is provided by the Associate Director - Site Safety Operations & Resilience.
- Own the COMAH 5-year revision cycle, COMAH inspection programme response, and Safety Report custodianship at Director level.
- Govern the Campus fire safety strategy in conjunction with Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service, corporate insurer, and AstraZeneca Global Process Safety standards.
- Sponsor the SIMT exercise programme, on-shift Emergency Coordinator deployment (via the Associate Director - Site Safety Operations & Resilience), and post-incident learning workflow.
- Lead capital-project Process Safety integration including HAZOP / LOPA governance, SIL targets, asset lifecycle Process Safety assurance.
- Champion Process Safety culture across the Campus through Genba presence, Process Safety Day and peer-network engagement.
- Sponsor the Process Safety culture and behavioural safety agenda across the pillar through Process Safety Day, Department SHE Advisor engagement, and site-wide behavioural safety programme in collaboration with pillar Directors.
- Represent the pillar at Senior Leadership Teams and external forums including HSE COMAH inspector, IChemE Process Safety Centre, AstraZeneca Global Process Safety peer network.
- Own the Organisational Change Assessment (OCA) for any structural or headcount change touching Major Accident Hazards (MAH) duties, per HSE COMAH expectations.
- Serve as Responsible Person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order for the Campus, with delegated day-to-day authority to the Associate Director - Site Safety Operations & Resilience
- Assure firewater containment adequacy for MAH scenarios and asset integrity / ageing plant programme (Risk Based Inspection, Corrosion Under Insulation,, relief system integrity) delivery via the COMAH SME.
- Active contribution to the Senior Director SHE's integrated annual plan; cross-pillar collaboration with Director – SHE people, Workplace & Capital on capital project SHE and with SHE Management Systems on KPI architecture.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Degree qualified in chemical engineering, process safety, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- Significant Process Safety leadership experience at COMAH (Top Tier or Lower Tier) sites.
- Demonstrated regulator-facing credibility with HSE COMAH inspectorate.
- Strong working knowledge of UK Process Safety frameworks — COMAH, DSEAR, EU / UK chemicals regulations.
- Chartered status (IChemE Process Safety Engineer or equivalent).
- Track record of leading Process Safety programmes through the capital project lifecycle.
Desirable Skills & Experience
- Pharmaceutical or specialty chemical industry experience.
- Serious Incident Management Team command experience at major-incident severity.
- Existing Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service or regional regulator relationships.
Applications close midnight Wednesday 7th October
Please note that interviews for this role are likely to commence 14th October 2026
At AstraZeneca, we are leading our Operations function at an exciting time of growth and evolution. We pioneer new approaches and processes across our sites, empowering our teams to foster a Lean mindset and sustainable practices. Every change we make is to deliver better outcomes for our patients. We are the champions of Lean, ensuring our teams understand and embody the benefits it can bring. There's improved quality and safety, as well as speed. Our manufacturing sites are environments of constant and rapid change. It's a place to expect the unexpected. There's rarely an obvious answer to the varied challenges we face, so it takes adaptability, flexibility and patience to thrive here.
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.
Ready to take the next step in your career?
Apply Today!
Date Posted
25-Sept-2026
Closing Date
07-Oct-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.
