Discovery Research Procurement Lead, R&D Procurement

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Cambridge, MA, USA
Hybrid
208K-327K Annually
Healthtech • Software • Analytics • Biotech • Pharmaceutical • Manufacturing
Takeda exists to create better health for people, brighter future for the world.
The Role
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Job Description
Discovery Research Procurement Lead, R&D Procurement
Cambridge, MA
Job Summary:
The Discovery Research Procurement Lead manages the Research Procurement Category Team and oversees a $1.3B annual spend on preclinical external services, lab supplies, and equipment for R&D, GMS, GQ, and global manufacturing, supporting Research, Pharma Sciences, and Development.
This team is comprised of Global Category Managers, including Directors, Associate Directors and Managers, who are collectively responsible for the strategic management of spend within the category and translation of those strategies into operational buying activities across a large multi country-responsibility. As such, the Procurement Lead will have accountability for procurement activities in the category from strategy-definition to the purchase order This includes everything in between including contracting and supplier management such as but not limited to, supplier selection, contract negotiations, and recommending buying channels.
The Procurement Lead role is also responsible for partnering with executive level stakeholders, ensuring their alignment with key strategic procurement initiatives, managing, and enhancing procurement's relationship with each of the in-scope functions. The Procurement Lead should seek to optimize procurement's value delivery, minimize risk, and promote innovation by providing relevant market insights and category expertise while also acting as a highly influential leader impacting both Research, R&D and Global Quality's broader success.
The role will be accountable for the strategic development of the Category Strategies in partnership with the Category Managers, ensuring that the team is successful in delivering against its savings targets, procurement goals and KPIs. This can include ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives such as supplier diversity and Scope 3 EHG emissions.
This role will fully embrace and adopt Takeda Leadership Behaviors, the Procurement Lead will foster an environment that enables all colleagues to fulfill their purpose and achieve Takeda's vision while confidently living our values every day (Integrity, Fairness, Honestly and Perseverance).
Key Responsibilities:
Business partnering
  • Establish and maintain excellent collaborative relationships with key business stakeholders including but not limited to Research, Finance and Global Quality (TET-1 and TET-2) globally to ensure that regional and global business goals and objectives are met
  • Serve as a highly influential leader within the business impacting decisions within Takeda R&D and beyond to deliver high quality strategy and outcomes
  • Work to socialize procurement and category management best practices within the business (i.e. increased utilization of preferred suppliers, SoW optimization and the use of BuyEasy@Takeda etc.)
  • Champion procurement policy and wider procurement initiatives, articulating their importance, value and reasoning as required (for example, Ways of Working, Sustainability, Supplier Diversity, etc.)
  • Collaborate and provide strategic guidance to the business regarding annual planning, budgeting, and forecasting cycle.
  • Align inputs from business planning and budgeting with the procurement annual plan
  • Respectfully challenge key category stakeholders based on Patient-Trust-Reputation-Business decisions as part of the business decision making process
  • Develop strong working relationships with the wider Takeda business (including supporting functions such as Legal Operations, Takeda Business Solutions etc.) to ensure alignment on key topics relevant to the Procurement function

Category strategy development and category management
  • Lead the development and implementation of the Category strategy at both the category and sub-category levels with support of the Category Managers in alignment with organizational objectives, market dynamics and internal stakeholder needs
  • Manage strategic initiatives across the Category (i.e. Category Councils, engagement guidelines, cash flow initiatives, risk management, etc.) ensuring alignment between category activities and both regional/global requirements
  • Successfully create and execute Procurement annual plan (global/regional as required) using both external and internal market intelligence
  • Collaborate with global and regional Procurement teams, Takeda Business Services, Legal and other functions to help implement the most effective category strategies including buying channels and negotiation strategies
  • Champion Takeda values and initiatives including supplier diversity and sustainability across procurement, supporting functions and the wider Takeda business
  • Support Category Managers with the effective communication of category strategies, performance metrics (KPIs) and initiatives to internal stakeholders and senior management
  • Ensure oversight of the internal category management processes to enable timely escalation and resolution of category specific issues

Procurement Excellence
  • Sponsor the development of a frictionless, rapid, and effective day-to-day buying experience within the category taking into account business needs and feedback.
  • Ensure the translation of the relevant category strategy(s) into day-to-day buying activity through the development and maintenance of best practice buying channels, procurement content (pricing, terms, service catalogues, buying guides etc)
  • Accountable for the realization of savings on each day-to-day buy through the effective application of rates, appropriate demand management techniques, and where applicable negotiation with suppliers.
  • Oversee discussions between category leadership, Global Procurement Centre of Excellence, Takeda Business Services (TBS), Legal Operations, Finance, IT and other relevant stakeholders to drive process and systems improvements that create a better day to day buying experience for stakeholders and improves value realization by Takeda.
  • Provide regular feedback to those conducting operational buying to drive continuous improvement.

People management
  • Clearly demonstrate, actively coach and encourage the team to adopt and embrace the Takeda Leadership Behaviors (Think Strategically, Inspire others, Deliver Priorities, Elevate Capabilities)
  • Establish and communicate clear roles and responsibilities to the category team and key business stakeholders and functions
  • Drive performance excellence by setting clear expectations and providing constructive feedback
  • Lead, coach and mentor to enhance the team's skills and capabilities both in the Procurement team and other functions
  • Conduct individual performance management processes for all direct reports and additional key partners (as required, 360 feedback reviews) while also supporting and championing development plans for direct reports,
  • Coach Category Managers to deliver contract negotiations on behalf of Takeda to secure favorable terms, pricing and statements of work, while ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Engage in regular quality conversations with all direct reports and additional key partners (as required)
  • Support and champion the creation and execution of development plans for all direct reports
  • Develop a succession plan for the team that supports career development and ensure a pipeline of talent is available
  • Foster a climate that inspires, enables, encourages open dialogue, feedback and diverse opinions
  • Promote collaboration, trust and respect among team members and the wider Takeda business
  • Guide and support the team through periods of change
  • Ensure compliance with Takeda training requirements (all team members)

Qualifications:
  • BA or BS required, MBA or Master's Degree with Supply Chain/Procurement emphasis preferred. Degree in Business Administration, Chemistry, Biology, or a related field preferred.
  • 15 plus years in-depth strategic and operational procurement experience with extensive knowledge of category management and advanced strategic sourcing methodologies
  • Minimum of 15 years working in biotech/pharma industry, or other highly regulated industries, with progressive leadership of procurement
  • Possess in-depth knowledge of Category Management and Supplier Relationship Management
  • Experience in managing large groups with senior procurement professionals.
  • Experience working in a complex global environment
  • Exceptionally skilled at stakeholder management including senior/executive levels
  • Strong and proven business partnering, negotiation, leadership, communication and change management skills
  • Direct experience in managing category management and development of category strategies
  • Direct experience of executing and leading operational buying activities
  • Proven Financial and Business Acumen
  • Change management and process improvement skills with direct experience in delivering business process change

Competencies:
  • Strategic thinking (with the ability to multi-task, think critically and prioritize) Strong people management experience
  • Ability to inspire others
  • Ability to deliver priorities consistently
  • Elevate capabilities (self, team members and other key business partners)
  • Ability to build high-performance teams
  • Excellent interpersonal communication, negotiation, and presentation ability
  • Superior customer service and relationship-building skills
  • Category strategy creation and execution
  • Operational buying experience and deep knowledge of good buying practices
  • Stakeholder engagement and strong business partnering expertise
  • Strategic planning and budgeting support
  • Change management
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Market and supplier knowledge
  • Punctuality, accuracy, and the ability to meet deadlines
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, etc.

Location:
  • This is a hybrid role based in Cambridge, MA with an onsite work expectation of at least 8 days per month, therefore candidates must live within a commutable distance to the office.

WHAT TAKEDA CAN OFFER YOU:
• 401(k) with company match and Annual Retirement Contribution Plan
• Tuition reimbursement Company match of charitable contributions
• Health & Wellness programs including onsite flu shots and health screenings
• Generous time off for vacation and the option to purchase additional vacation days
• Community Outreach Programs
Empowering Our People to Shine Discover more at takedajobs.com
No Phone Calls or Recruiters Please.
This job posting excludes Colorado applicants.
Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary
We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. We are committed to equitable pay for all employees, and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices.
For Location:
Cambridge, MA
U.S. Base Salary Range:
$208,200.00 - $327,140.00
The estimated salary range reflects an anticipated range for this position. The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors, including the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. The actual base salary offered will be in accordance with state or local minimum wage requirements for the job location.
U.S. based employees may be eligible for short-term and/ or long-term incentives. U.S. based employees may be eligible to participate in medical, dental, vision insurance, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, a tuition reimbursement program, paid volunteer time off, company holidays, and well-being benefits, among others. U.S. based employees are also eligible to receive, per calendar year, up to 80 hours of sick time, and new hires are eligible to accrue up to 120 hours of paid vacation.
EEO Statement
Takeda is proud in its commitment to creating a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, genetic information or characteristics, marital status, status as a Vietnam era veteran, special disabled veteran, or other protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, and any other characteristic protected by law.
Locations
Cambridge, MA
Worker Type
Employee
Worker Sub-Type
Regular
Time Type
Full time
Job Exempt
Yes
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Takeda Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Takeda and has not been reviewed or approved by Takeda.

  • Retirement Support Retirement funding includes a dollar-for-dollar 401(k) match with immediate vesting and an additional age- and service-based company contribution, plus access to an employee stock purchase plan. These features materially expand total compensation beyond base pay.
  • Parental & Family Support Family support includes fully paid bonding leave for all parents, reimbursed adoption/surrogacy and doula expenses via Maven, and breast-milk shipping for work travel. Backup child, adult, and elder care through Bright Horizons further strengthens caregiving support.
  • Healthcare Strength Medical coverage offers nationwide PPO and HSA-PPO options with preventive care covered, alongside regional HMO choices where applicable and integrated pharmacy benefits. Round-the-clock assistance and virtual behavioral health access complement the core medical plans.

Takeda Insights

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The Company
HQ: Cambridge, MA
50,000 Employees
Year Founded: 1781

What We Do

For over 240 years, Takeda’s propensity to evolve has driven the next generation of innovation, and as a future-focused organization, we’re continuing to drive forward with endurance in our steadfast pursuit to achieve the best outcomes for our patients in a rapidly changing world.  We have been preparing for this period of value creation by investing in data, digital and technology, and we’re proud of our employees and their commitment to turning groundbreaking ideas into life-changing impacts.   Since our founding in Japan, integrity and putting patients first have been at the heart of our identity, and we will emerge ready for our future as one of the most trusted and science-driven digital biopharmaceutical companies. Join a team where your innovation impacts lives.   Together, we’ll realize improved outcomes by improving data quality, enhancing launch execution and improving the patient journey. You’ll play a critical role in accelerating data collection and increasing accuracy across all parts of the business. Patients across the globe will benefit from access to treatments afforded by greater opportunities and efficiency in our research and development.  

Why Work With Us

We connect to our history and Japanese heritage through everything we do to bring our purpose, values, vision, and imperatives to life. We are committed to bringing better health and a brighter future to patients. Being a part of Takeda means having the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than yourself.

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