Associate Director, Process Standardization and Risks Mitigation

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Job Description

The Associate Director, Process Standardization and Risks Mitigation will lead global process-standardization and risk-mitigation initiatives across R&D contracting operations. This role will help create consistent, efficient, compliant ways of working across R&D global hubs in the United States, Poland, India, and Japan regional hub.

The role identifies process variation, assess operational and compliance risks, and lead cross-functional improvement initiatives that enable timely delivery of contracts and transactions, in support of Takeda’s R&D portfolio.

The incumbent uses structured continuous-improvement and change-management methodologies to design, implement, measure, and sustain global process improvements.

This position is based in Łódź and will provide local leadership and manage HR-related responsibilities for four R&D contracting colleagues. The colleagues’ day-to-day work priorities and functional direction will be provided by their US-based functional manager.

Due to its high visibility and strategic importance, this position requires both robust technical acumen and exceptional leadership to influence organizational change and align cross-functional stakeholders across the enterprise

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of standardized R&D contracting processes across global hubs and the Japan regional hub.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate process, operational, compliance, and business-continuity risks.
• Lead implementation of mitigation actions of high-priority risks identified at the corporate risk register level
• Apply structured methodologies, including root-cause analysis, Lean/Six Sigma principles, process mapping, and Plan-Do-Check-Act cycles, to resolve process defects and improve outcomes.
• Partner with R&D, Procurement, Finance, Legal, Ethics & Compliance, Digital, Data & Technology, and other stakeholders to align global processes, policies, systems, and controls.
• Establish process governance, documentation, performance metrics, and reporting to monitor adoption, effectiveness, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Develop data-driven business cases and recommendations for senior stakeholders.
• Lead organizational change-management activities, including stakeholder analysis, communications, training, readiness assessment, and adoption plans.
• Stay up to date on industry trends and best practices in R&D procurement & contracting.
• Champion digital tools, automation, and practical technology solutions that improve process efficiency, transparency, and user experience
• Act as the local Workday manager for four R&D contracting employees based in Łódź, providing HR leadership, coaching, development support, employee engagement and local policy adherence. Build an effective matrix partnership with the US-based functional manager, who retains responsibility for the team’s daily work direction, priorities, and functional oversight.

EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree in business, operations, engineering, life sciences, or a related field; advanced degree preferred. Experience in pharmaceutical R&D operations highly desirable

• 8+ years of relevant experience in process optimization, business operations, contracting, procurement or comparable operational environment. 3+ years leading complex cross-functional or global initiatives

• Certified in Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt or higher).

• Proven track record of delivering process improvement initiatives with measurable outcomes

• Knowledge and comfortable with information technology applications including but not limited to Microsoft Office suite, SharePoint, Ariba/ERP solutions, ServiceNow, Smartssheet, Power-suite, Generative AI.

• Understanding of Healthcare Compliance, including U.S. Federal Sunshine Act

• Exceptional organization and communication skills

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment

• Prior people-management or matrix-leadership experience preferred

ADITIONAL INFORMATION

Technical/Functional (Line) Expertise

• Strong understanding of contracting, procure-to-pay, supplier-management, or related business processes; R&D experience is strongly preferred.
• Excellent general problem-solving skills and a proven ability to manage multiple projects and to simplify and organize complex tasks
• Practical knowledge of continuous-improvement methodologies, such as Lean, Six Sigma, root-cause analysis, process mapping, and PDCA. Lean Six Sigma certification is an advantage.
• Strong project management capabilities with experience in executive-level reporting.
• Strong change-management experience, including planning, leading adoption of new processes, systems, or ways of working and sustain change adoption.
• Ability to develop meaningful KPIs, analyze performance data, and translate insights into practical recommendations.

Leadership

• Enterprise level leadership with the ability to inspire, motivate and drive results. Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment.
• Strong communication, facilitation, stakeholder-management, influencing and executive-presentation skills
• Capable of navigating ambiguity and building consensus in high-complexity, high-visibility decision spaces. Makes strategic recommendations in complex situations.
• Embraces and demonstrates a diversity and inclusion mindset and role-models these behaviors for the organization
• Demonstrated people-leadership capability, including coaching, employee engagement and development in a matrix environment.

Decision-making and Autonomy

• Provide input to complex decisions that influence company policies and SOPs related to buying and contract management.
• Operate with significant independence, expected to assess corporate risks, to make prioritizations recommendations and propose solutions that require tactical and strategic review at leadership levels.
• Secure diverse input from multiple constituents and stakeholders to drive innovative solutions fit for business need. Incorporate feedback and ensure decisions are implemented swiftly to yield flawless execution; escalate when necessary.

Interaction

• Interact effectively with all levels of the organization, including executive stakeholders, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.
• Strong collaboration with partner functions (e.g., Procurement, Finance,, Legal, E&C, DDT) and in a global setting, to drive cohesive and organization-wide improvements.
• Effectively navigate the changing external and internal environment and leads others through change by creating and inspiring an engaging workplace

Innovation

• Ability to take risks implementing innovative solutions, accelerating time to market, whilst ensuring compliance to policies.
• Identify opportunities and anticipates changes in the business landscape through an understanding and ongoing assessment of the environment affecting the business.
• Role model respect and inclusion, creating a culture that fosters innovation

Complexity

• Ability to work in a global ecosystem (internal and external) with a high degree of complexity
• Ability to see and understand broader, enterprise level perspective
• Develop and deploy innovative, scalable solutions to mitigate operational risks and enhance process efficiencies.
• Recognize and balance interdependencies within high-risk, high-impact operational frameworks.

Working at Takeda

We offer a truly collaborative, purpose-driven environment where innovation, integrity, and patient focus are at the heart of everything we do.

This role follows a hybrid working model to support both flexibility and team collaboration.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Takeda, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where every individual can thrive. We believe that diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences drives innovation and strengthens our ability to deliver for patients.

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and are dedicated to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to achieve their full potential.

More About Us

Takeda is a global, values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader headquartered in Japan, committed to advancing innovative medicines across gastroenterology, rare diseases, plasma-derived therapies, oncology, neuroscience, and vaccines.

Locations

Lodz, Poland

Base Salary Range:

zł328,000.00 - zł451,000.00

For information about our benefits, please click here.

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