Head, PDM External Manufacturing Finance

Description Head, Product Development and Manufacturing External Manufacturing Finance

About Astellas

At Astellas we are a progressive health partner, delivering value and outcomes where needed. We pursue innovative science, focussing initially on the areas of greatest potential and then developing solutions where patient need is high, often in rare or under-served disease areas and in life-threatening or life-limiting diseases and conditions. We work directly with patients, doctors and health care professionals on the front line to ensure patient and clinical needs are guiding our development activities at every stage. Our global vision for Patient Centricity is to support the development of innovative health solutions through a deep understanding of the patient experience. At Astellas, Patient Centricity isn’t a buzzword - it’s a guiding principle for action. We believe all staff have a role to play in creating a patient-centric culture and integrating an awareness of the patient into our everyday working practices, regardless of our role, team or division. We work closely with regulatory authorities and payers to find new ways to ensure access to new therapies. We deliver the latest insights and real-world evidence to inform the best decisions for patients and their care-givers, to ensure the medicines we develop continue to provide meaningful outcomes. Beyond medicines, we support our stakeholder communities to drive initiatives that improve awareness, education, access and ultimately standards of care.

The Opportunity

As Head, PDM External Manufacturing Finance, you will provide strategic financial leadership across our global CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) network. This role is pivotal in enabling reliable, cost-effective, and high-quality external supply, while driving transparency and value creation across all product modalities.

Hybrid Working

At Astellas we recognise the importance of balancing your work and home life, so we offer a hybrid working solution allowing time to connect with colleagues in person at the office alongside the flexibility to work from home; optimising the most productive work environment for you to succeed and deliver.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary finance advisor to the Head of External Manufacturing and ExM leadership team.
• Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and long-range strategic modelling.
• Provide forward-looking financial analysis and scenario planning to support supplier partnerships and network optimization.
• Drive financial governance, discipline, and accountability across the global CDMO network.
• Partner with Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality, and MS&T to align financial and operational priorities.
• Monitor P&L, cash flow, and investment performance; identify risks and opportunities.
• Lead cost optimization and continuous improvement initiatives.

Essential Knowledge & Experience

Experience supporting external manufacturing, contract manufacturing, or strategic supplier networks strongly preferred. Proven success as a strategic business partner to senior operational leaders. Strong business acumen and ability to translate operational drivers into financial impact. Expertise in financial planning, analysis, and performance management. Deep understanding of cost structures, COGS analysis, and network optimization.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or equivalent.

Preferred Skills & Knowledge

MBA, CPA or Professional Finance Qualifications preferred. Experience in working in multi-functional, cross-cultural and cross-country teams.

Additional Information

This is a permanent role. This role is located in the United Kingdom. This role follows a hybrid working model, blending home-based work with a minimum of 1 day per quarter in the office (to be confirmed based on primary location and business need). Flexibility may be required in line with business needs.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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