Located in North East Cheshire, between the foothills of the Pennines, and the Cheshire Plain and the Peak District National Park, the site has seen a programme of continuous investment since it was first established in the 1960s and now has over 3,000 employees.

Macclesfield is the second largest Manufacturing & Supply site in AstraZeneca and provides the link between Research & Development, and Sales & Marketing. Our Manufacturing and Supply teams work closely with Development colleagues based on site to achieve successful technology transfers and to undertake first manufacture of new products. The site supplies products for all of AstraZeneca's therapy areas, and currently sources 130 markets worldwide.

AstraZeneca at Macclesfield has a number of specific roles within the supply chain and manufacturing strategy, including one as a New Product Launch Site, and as the sole global supplier for one of our leading cancer products. Additionally, its role as a Quality Assurance Lead Site makes it responsible for the quality control and assurance of a range of products made both at Macclesfield and other Sites for supply to global markets.

Our Macclesfield site has a stated aim to build a reputation for consistent first class customer service. All UK Manufacturing employees have a clear understanding of what customer service means to them personally, to their teams and to the business. The concept of internal customer service is a key element.

We are committed to maintaining a workplace that meets Health, Safety and Environmental standards, with an active improvement programme. Governing every stage of the production cycle, Good Manufacturing Code of Practice ensures our products are 100% right, first time, every time. These structured procedures are rigorously documented and dictate the way many of our employees dress, as well as the way they handle materials and fulfil their job functions.

Macclesfield site has facilities for all three stages of pharmaceutical manufacture - bulk drug manufacture, formulation and packing.

Our Development function at Macclesfield - part of the global AstraZeneca Development function - provides a key link between Research and Manufacturing. These are the people who take a compound and, from it, develop a product that will be effective and safe for human use. From there, they design the manufacturing process and the analytical testing methods.

Marketing support and development at Macclesfield is targeted at smaller and emerging markets to spot business opportunities and create dynamic marketing strategies that will turn these into successful ventures

The Macclesfield area is regarded as one of the most prosperous parts of the UK, surrounded by attractive villages and countryside. With good rail links and being close to Manchester Airport, these excellent connections with the wider world were part of our reason for establishing major operations here.

We have obvious responsibilities to the local community in and around Macclesfield, and these go far beyond our aim of a safe, clean and healthy workplace.

We have a long tradition of training and development, evidenced by our Investor in People status, supported by our own local programmes.