Get to Know Brandon Jones, General Manager, Philadelphia Supply Site, AstraZeneca
What started off as a summer internship in AstraZeneca’s Supply Chain division eventually turned into a deep appreciation for patient access and ignited a sense of purpose in Brandon’s career that fuels him to this day.
A Foot in the Door
As a student at the University of Delaware, Brandon worked as an intern for AstraZeneca’s Supply Chain Operations and Planning team. This opportunity allowed him to observe various elements of the pharmaceutical industry and see firsthand how vital the role of our supply chain team is – ensuring the company’s delivery of high-quality products to patients across the world in a timely manner.
With a strong work ethic and peaked interest in the industry, Brandon’s time as an intern eventually was extended into a fulltime position.
Today, he’s been with AstraZeneca for over 20 years and is currently the General Manager at the Philadelphia Supply Site. Brandon’s career has taken him to five different sites for the company, including our US Headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, and other AstraZeneca facilities in Westborough, Massachusetts, Newark, Delaware, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Bangalore, India.
Lessons Abroad
In 2013, Brandon had a life-changing opportunity to support the company’s Bangalore site in India. He quickly jumped at the chance to expand his experience, learn about a new culture, and add value to the business by helping the site transition and overcome quality challenges.
While working in India, he helped set the site up for success by improving production mechanisms and quality systems. This work also taught Brandon the importance of being an effective leader.
“When I first got there, I could tell my leadership style wasn’t fitting with the culture. It showed me the importance of being able to adapt your leadership style and just how important strong leadership is when working towards a common goal,” Brandon explained.
The experience allowed him to immerse himself in the new culture and gain valuable life lessons he still carries with him today.
I think on a personal level, the experience reminded me that we as human beings have so much more in common with one another than we think – despite different backgrounds and cultures.
Production to Patients
In his current role, Brandon leads our Philadelphia site where 200+ colleagues share the single mission of ensuring our flu vaccine reaches patients on time and with quality ahead of the flu season. Brandon’s commitment to put patients first motivates him to ensure his team is getting ahead of the seasonal impact of flu with this vital vaccine.
As our product continues to grow each year, we need to be prepared to meet the demand to ensure everyone who needs it has access.
Known for his ability to be a hands-on leader, Brandon can often be found on the production floor working alongside his team to ensure everything is running smoothly before the product is ready to be released for distribution. Brandon’s empathy as a human and dedication to high-quality product delivery have contributed to his success as an impactful site leader.
People and Purpose
While Brandon is deeply committed to his work, he is equally dedicated to his family. He enjoys spending as much time as possible with his wife, Tiffany, and their two young children. Whether it’s school activities or family vacations, Brandon prioritizes the importance of being present for his family.
Additionally, Brandon tries to stay active by spending time outside stargazing or fishing. He’s also active in his local CrossFit community.
