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Job DescriptionOBJECTIVES:
- Main focus on R&D categories, specifically Clinical Trial Management.
- Drive end-to-end Source-to-Contract process for defined categories spend thresholds.
- Develop and execute sourcing strategies aligned with Global Category Manager direction and business needs.
- Identify and drive value levers (cost, demand, innovation, risk, ESG); support Category Managers to drive value.
- Lead negotiations with suppliers, driving value and competitive advantage to Takeda.
- Accountability and ownership on relationships with suppliers and stakeholders, when managed by the value delivery team.
- Primary anchor category: Clinical Trial Management (R&D) - CROs, functional service providers, site networks and clinical trial delivery partners.
- Enable trial delivery on time, on budget and in compliance in partnership with Clinical Operations, R&D Finance, Quality and Legal.
ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- Sourcing Strategy & Execution
- Develop and own sourcing strategies for Clinical Trial Management categories aligned with business priorities and category strategies
- Identify and drive value levers (cost, demand, innovation, risk, ESG)
- Prepare sourcing events and align with Central Finance on Rf(X) execution
- Maintain the project pipeline in Wave; drive continuous improvement against quality targets
- Business Partnering & Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as primary procurement interface for Clinical Operations, Clinical Development, R&D Finance, Quality (GCP), Legal and Privacy in sourcing
- Challenge demand, specifications, and sourcing approaches constructively
- Socialize procurement best practices (preferred suppliers, SoW optimization, BuyEasy@Takeda etc.)
- Collaborate with business partners, Procurement CoE, Finance, and Takeda Business Solutions
- Supplier & Market Management
- Support supplier selection decisions, segmentation, and performance governance
- Support strategic supplier relationships and escalate risks to Sourcing Lead
- Standardization & Process Excellence
- Implement and enforce standardized sourcing templates, playbooks, and workflows
- Identify opportunities for automation with digital and AI for process optimization and simplification
- Supplier & Risk Management
- Deliver value through supplier relationships, governance, and performance management across the Clinical Trial Management portfolio managed by the value delivery team
- Identify and mitigate supply chain risks to ensure business continuity and patient supply security
- Develop contingency plans and alternative sourcing strategies for applicable categories
- Negotiation & Contracting
- Lead negotiations and contract finalization for assigned sourcing events within defined thresholds
- Define negotiation strategies using should-cost models and benchmarks
- Ensure alignment with Category Manager, Legal, Finance, and risk frameworks
- Value Delivery & Governance
- Support delivery of savings targets and value realization (cost, demand, innovation, risk, ESG)
- Contribute to supplier risk management and compliance
- Ensure alignment with Takeda procurement policies and governance standards
- Drive CI and performance management of KPI’s
- Interface to Operational Procurement (Procurement Solutions)
- Collaboration with operational buyers in Central Finance on execution and service delivery
- Ensure smooth handover of sourcing inputs and outputs for operational Rf(X) execution
- Category-Specific Expertise - Clinical Trial Management (R&D)
- Lead sourcing and negotiation for full-service CRO, FSP and hybrid delivery models, including preferred provider governance.
- Analyse and negotiate unit-based clinical pricing (unit cost, pass-through, overhead, FTE rates, change orders) and benchmark against market data.
- Partner with Clinical Operations on protocol-driven demand, study bid defence and resourcing assumptions.
- Manage change-order exposure and study budget re-forecasting across the trial lifecycle.
- Ensure contracting aligns with GCP, ICH, data privacy (GDPR/HIPAA), inspection readiness and transparency/disclosure requirements.
EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:
Education:
- Bachelor degree in relevant field
Behavioral:
As members of Global Procurement, you are expected to demonstrate ways of working that support our strategic ambition and shape how we create value for Takeda. You will contribute to a procurement function that:
- Shapes strategy upstream through close business partnership
- Deliver total enterprise value beyond savings
- Takes ownership of spend and outcomes end to end
- Uses curiosity, insights, and data to drive better decisions
These principles define how we partner with the business, our suppliers, and each other. Role-specific examples of these behaviors are embedded throughout the objectives, accountability, and skills outlined in this job description.
Competencies and skills:
Experience: 12+ years in procurement, sourcing, or shared services. Experience with indirect categories are preferrable
Technical skills:
- In-depth knowledge of strategic sourcing with ability to leverage digital and AI improvements in ways of working
- Strong commercial acumen and negotiation experience; ability to define strategies using should-cost models and benchmarks for professional services and marketing spend
- Experience managing complex business stakeholders across Clinical Operations, Pharma Sciences, Finance, Legal, and Business Units
- Proficiency with SAP Ariba or equivalent eSourcing tools; experience with Wave pipeline management
- Category-specific technical expertise - Clinical Trial Management (R&D):
- Understanding of clinical development phases, protocol cost drivers and GCP/ICH requirements.
- Experience with CRO bid grids, unit-cost and FTE-rate models, pass-through vs. direct fee structures and change-order control.
- Familiarity with Master Service Agreements, Work Orders and clinical benchmarking data sources.
- Experience working in a complex global environment preferred.
- Exceptionally skilled at stakeholder management.
- Proven ability to manage senior, cross-functional stakeholders.
- Collaborative and diplomatic, with demonstrated track record of operating successfully with limited day-to-day direction and ambiguity.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Exceptional communication and presentation skills both oral and written.
- Extensive experience using Microsoft desk top applications (e.g. PowerPoint, Excel) and experienced with using Generative / Agentic AI
- Languages: Fluent written and spoken English
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field
- 12+ years of experience in procurement, sourcing, or shared services
- Experience with strategic sourcing and commercial negotiations
- Experience managing complex cross-functional stakeholders
- Clinical trial management sourcing expertise, including CROs, FSPs, bid grids, unit-cost models, FTE rates, pass-through costs, and change-order control
- Knowledge of clinical development phases, protocol cost drivers, and GCP/ICH requirements
- Experience with Master Service Agreements, Work Orders, and clinical benchmarking data
- Proficiency with SAP Ariba or equivalent eSourcing tools
- Experience with Wave pipeline management
- Experience in complex global environments
- Experience with indirect categories
- Experience using Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel
- Experience using Generative or Agentic AI
- Fluent written and spoken English
- Exceptional stakeholder management, communication, presentation, collaboration, and negotiation skills
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.
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Retirement Support — Employer-funded retirement is described as notably strong, combining a dollar-for-dollar 401(k) match with an additional company contribution that scales with age and service. Access to an employee stock purchase plan further supports long-term wealth building.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid bonding leave for all parents, substantial adoption/surrogacy reimbursement, and robust caregiver resources (backup care and Maven family-forming support) are emphasized as core strengths. These offerings create a comprehensive safety net for a range of family situations.
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Healthcare Strength — Multiple medical plan options (nationwide PPO/HSA and regional HMOs), employer HSA funding, and integrated mental-health and well-being programs signal depth in coverage. Preventive care is covered in-network, and plan choices by state expand access.
Takeda Insights
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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