Senior Logistics Specialist – Cell Therapy (EU/UK focus)

Be a catalyst in the future of personalised medicine.
At AstraZeneca’s Cell Therapy division, we are pushing the boundaries of science, logistics, and innovation to deliver life-changing therapies to patients around the globe. Our mission is to transform lives through excellence in vein-to-vein (V2V) logistics – a complex and highly coordinated process where every shipment, every data point, and every decision directly supports a patient’s treatment journey. 

Unlike traditional medicines, personalised cell therapies are manufactured from patient’s own cells. This means logistics are not simply about transportation – they are about orchestrating a precise, time-critical global process that connects patients, clinical sites, manufacturing facilities, and specialised couriers.

To make this possible we are looking for an additional team member, a highly skilled and dedicated Logistics Specialist to play a pivotal role in supporting our expanding cell therapy clinical trials across Europe and the UK. In this role, you will oversee global V2V logistics while supporting the operational backbone of our EU Cell Therapy depot in Amsterdam, ensuring patient-critical shipments move safely, efficiently, and on time. 

Senior Logistics Specialist – Cell Therapy (EU/UK focus)
Location: Amsterdam Offices 
EU passport required | full time position (40 hours per week)

Your impact
In this role you will be the central connecting point between patients, clinical sites, manufacturing facilities, logistics partners, and internal supply chain teams. Your work ensures that every shipment is compliant, traceable, and executed with precision.

Because personalised cell therapies are patient-specific, there is no room for error. Your ability to coordinate complex logistics activities, manage stakeholders, and monitor shipments in real time will directly support the success of our clinical trials – and ultimately the patients we serve.

This role requires a self-starter mindset and strong ownership, as you will collaborate closely with colleagues across Europe and the US while operating in a highly dynamic environment. 

Your responsibilities include:
Depot & warehousing operations (GMP/GDP)
•    Supporting the operational activities of the EU Cell Therapy depot in Amsterdam, ensuring compliance with GMP, GDP, and GCP requirements.
•    Execute depot activities including receipt, storage, inventory management, and dispatch of clinical materials.
•    Perform inventory cycle counts, temperature monitoring, and shipment preparation.
•    Manage documentation, shipment bookings, and audit trails for clinical shipments.
•    Support pack-out qualifications and temperature mapping activities.
•    Program and manage data loggers and temperature monitoring systems.
•    Assist with deviation investigations, CAPA implementation, and change control processes. 

V2V & Cold Chain Logistics
•    Overseeing and managing global shipments of patient apheresis material and investigational medicinal products.
•    Ensuring full cold chain compliance and COI/COC traceability
•    Driving scheduling and traceability through cell orchestration platforms 
•    Implementing contingency planning for time-sensitive, patient-critical shipments.
•    Providing weekly updates on patient logistics and manufacturing slots across the portfolio.
•    Participating in global expansion initiatives for EU/UK cell therapy clinical trials.

Vendor & Courier Management
•    Collaborating with logistics service providers, 3rd party depots, and specialty couriers to secure on time, in full delivery.
•    Attending  operational performance reviews, ensuring metrics and KPIs are met.
•    Monitoring real-time shipments and troubleshoot delays across global lanes.
•    Supporting integration of depot activities into broader global cell therapy logistics network.

Process Excellence & Compliance
•    Leading process improvement initiatives focused on logistics workflows, cost reduction, and compliance.
•    Maintaining and updating SOP’s, work instructions, and documentation for V2V operations.
•    Supporting training materials and knowledge sharing within the Clinical Logistics team.
•    Contributing to ongoing process design, including warehouse and depot operations across Europe.

What do you bring?
•    A minimum of 5 years clinical logistics, cell therapy, or pharmaceutical supply chain experience (preferably within biotech or pharma).
•    Strong experience with cold chain, EU/UK logistics, and depot/warehouse coordination.
•    Proficiency in tools such as cell orchestration platforms, SAP/Oracle, LSP portals, Nexus, PowerBI/Tableau, Excel (pivot tables/macro’s).
•    Solid understanding of shipping regulations, customs documentation, and clinical trial logistics.
•    Fluency in English.

Core competencies
•    Analytical problem solver with strong attention to detail and a proactive, solution driven mindset.
•    Operational leadership: able to manage critical activities independently while staying connected to global teams.
•    Stakeholder management: comfortable working cross-functionally with clinical, manufacturing, regulatory, and quality assurance teams.
•    Adaptability & resilience thrives in an evolving environment, embracing ambiguity and building structure where needed.
•    Initiative & ownership takes full accountability for outcomes and drives continuous improvement.

Why this role?
•    Join a mission critical team at the forefront of personalised medicine and cell therapy.
•    Help establish and shape our European Cell Therapy Logistics operations from the ground up.
•    Enjoy global exposure, working closely with colleagues in the US, UK, EU, and clinical sites worldwide.
•    Be part of a fast growing, high-impact team, with leadership opportunities as we scale.
•    Experience a collaborative, innovative culture where your decisions directly affect patients’ lives.

Additional information:
•    This role requires flexibility to handle occasional time-sensitive logistics events outside regular hours.
•    Only EU passport holders will be considered for this role.

Your effort is rewarded
As a Clinical Logistics Specialist, you can expect much in return for your dedication. In addition to a competitive salary, you will enjoy:

•    An attractive bonus scheme and a 13th-month salary on top of your monthly pay.
•    Extensive career growth opportunities, including international prospects.
•    Access to internal training and development programs. 
•    27 vacation days, plus additional leave (such as your birthday, Good Friday, and the period between Christmas and New Year’s Eve).
•    Flexible and progressive employment benefits, allowing you to tailor them to your needs (e.g., a wellness budget and the choice of a holiday calendar based on different religious beliefs).
•    A pension plan.

Making a difference together with AstraZeneca
Are you driven by innovation in cancer treatment and eager to make a real impact? At AstraZeneca’s Cell Therapy facility in Amsterdam, we are developing next-generation TCR therapies targeting neoantigens in solid tumors. With a team of approximately 75 scientists, we are advancing both fully individualised and shared neoantigen-targeting treatments to transform patient outcomes.

We recently moved into One Helix, our brand-new, high-tech research facility in Amsterdam Zuid, located near the Amsterdam UMC. This state-of-the-art space is designed to accelerate breakthroughs in cell therapy. Join our team and help shape the future of cancer treatment.

Ready to grow your career in a driven, innovative environment? Apply now!
If you have any questions about this vacancy, our Recruitment Team, Karin Raadschelders / Caroline van Oppen is happy to answer your questions. 

Contact: info@werkenbijastrazeneca.nl or by phone on +31(0)85 - 047 0244.

Date Posted

Closing Date

AstraZeneca 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 comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.