Global Category Lead - Discovery Research

By clicking the “Apply” button, I understand that my employment application process with Takeda will commence and that the information I provide in my application will be processed in line with Takeda’s Privacy Notice and Terms of Use. I further attest that all information I submit in my employment application is true to the best of my knowledge.Job DescriptionAbout the Role:This role is a member of the R&D Procurement team, leading category strategy and a team of category managers to maximize enterprise value from external spend. It partners with senior stakeholders to shape business priorities, strengthen supplier relationships, and deliver measurable outcomes across cost, innovation, quality, sustainability, and risk.How you will contribute: Define and lead category strategies that maximize enterprise value from external spend through cost optimization, innovation, risk management, sustainability, and business growthAct as a strategic partner to senior business leaders, aligning category priorities with organizational objectives and ensuring external spend supports critical business outcomesDrive long-term business outcomes by shaping category strategy, supplier portfolio strategy, and enterprise spending decisionsOrchestrate cross-functional resources and stakeholder collaboration to deliver category goals, strengthen supplier partnerships, and ensure sustainable business performanceManage a small team of category managersAccountabilities:Develop and execute category strategies that align external spend with enterprise objectives, business priorities, and long-term value creation goalsShape demand and business requirements by challenging specifications, operating models, supplier strategies, and sourcing approaches to optimize total value and return on investmentLead complex strategic programs and category value plans, ensuring delivery of cost, productivity, innovation, sustainability, quality, and risk management objectivesDrive cross-functional collaboration across business, operations, finance, legal, and procurement teams to deliver End-2-End category strategies and strategic initiativesBuild and maintain a high-performing supplier ecosystem that balances innovation, competitiveness, resilience, and long-term business needs, while including Quality and Sustainability requirements.Own strategic supplier relationships, governance, and performance management to drive continuous improvement, innovation, and value deliveryEnsure supplier strategies, commercial models, and contractual frameworks support business objectives, regulatory requirements, quality standards, and supply continuitySynthesize market intelligence, supplier insights, and business data into compelling narratives that influence strategic decisions and stakeholder alignmentAct as a strategic business partner to senior stakeholders, influencing spend decisions, investment priorities, operating models, and external resource deploymentLead, develop, and enable high-performing teams by building critical capabilities, fostering collaboration, and driving a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and business partnershipCoach category managers and associates toward excellent, business-aligned category strategies, embedding adherence to best-practice category-management methodology and raising the quality and consistency of strategy development and execution across the teamAttract, develop, and retain category talent in a competitive market, actively building succession strength and career pathways across the teamAllocate people and priority across the category portfolio, making cross-category trade-offs to maximize aggregate enterprise valueAccountable for the value-delivery agenda across the category portfolio, setting and governing the targets and KPIs — spanning the enterprise value framework of P&L impact, P&L protection, and cash improvement, plus value beyond savings (risk, business performance, innovation, quality, sustainability) — and holding category managers accountable for realization.Own the contracting and commercial strategy across the portfolio, governing Master Service Agreement (MSA) management and the frameworks that downstream Service Agreements, SOWs, and purchase orders draw against, while leading the most strategic, enterprise-critical agreements directly.Accountable for end-to-end management of the total category spend portfolio, ensuring every dollar of spend is owned, compliant, and optimized — setting the spend, tail-spend, and buying-channel strategy that category managers execute within their categories.Understanding of business continuity and supply continuity principles, with ability to assess supply risks, develop mitigation strategies, and ensure resilience across supplier networks and critical operationsEducation, Behavioral, Competencies, Skills:Education:Bachelors degreeMBA of a relevant field would be an advantageBehavioral: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 partnershipDeliver total enterprise value beyond savingsTakes ownership of spend and outcomes end to endUses curiosity, insights, and data to drive better decisionsThese 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:10+ years experience in procurement, category management, supply chain, or related commercial functions within complex global organizationsProven ability to develop and execute category strategiesStrong commercial and financial acumen with a demonstrated track record of delivering measurable value through cost optimization, risk management, innovation, sustainability, and operational efficiency initiativesSubject-matter expertise in research, externalized scientific services or similar categories in healthcare, biotech or pharmaceutical industryAbility to influence and challenge senior stakeholders, shaping business decisions and aligning procurement strategies with organizational prioritiesDeep understanding of strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, category management, and contract governance principlesExperience leading cross-functional initiatives and delivering results in complex, matrixed, and multi-stakeholder environmentsStrong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to leverage market intelligence, data, and insights to inform decision-making and identify value opportunitiesDemonstrated ability to build, develop, and lead high-performing teams while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Change-leadership and transformation experience, driving new operating models and ways of working across a functionStrong negotiation, communication, and executive stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence outcomes at all organizational levelsExperience leveraging digital technologies, automation, and data-driven approaches to enhance procurement performance, decision-making, and business value deliveryDemonstrated learning agility and continuous improvement mindset, with an interest in developing category expertise and leveraging digital, automation, and AI-enabled solutionsKnowledge of supplier risk management, business continuity planning, and sustainable procurement practicesFluent written and spoken EnglishTakeda Compensation and Benefits SummaryWe 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:USA - MA - Cambridge - Kendall Square - 500U.S. Base Salary Range:$177,000.00 - $278,080.00The 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. For information about our benefits, please click here.EEO StatementTakeda 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.LocationsUSA - MA - Cambridge - Kendall Square - 500Worker TypeEmployeeWorker Sub-TypeRegularTime TypeFull timeJob ExemptYesIt 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.Reference: R0190670