Sourcing Manager - Discovery Research

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Job Description

OBJECTIVES:

• Main focus on R&D categories, specifically Discovery Research.
• 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: Discovery Research (R&D) - preclinical CROs, in vitro and in vivo services, DMPK, toxicology, chemistry and biologics discovery partners.
• Support scientific agility and speed to candidate selection while ensuring value, compliance and IP protection.

ACCOUNTABILITIES: 

• Sourcing Strategy & Execution
  • Develop and own sourcing strategies for Discovery Research 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 Research and Discovery Units, Preclinical Sciences, R&D Finance, Legal/IP and Biosafety 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 Discovery Research 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 - Discovery Research (R&D)
  • Lead sourcing for discovery and preclinical services: medicinal and synthetic chemistry, screening, in vitro/in vivo pharmacology, DMPK, GLP toxicology and bioanalysis.
  • Source specialist capability including antibody and cell line development, CRISPR/gene editing, omics, structural biology and animal models.
  • Structure FTE, fee-for-service and milestone-based agreements with clear IP ownership, publication and confidentiality provisions.
  • Partner with Research leadership on flexible capacity models that support fast-changing scientific priorities.
  • Ensure compliance with GLP, animal welfare (AAALAC/IACUC), biosafety and export control 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 - Discovery Research (R&D):
• Scientific literacy across discovery and preclinical workflows sufficient to challenge scope and evaluate technical proposals.
• Experience with FTE-based and milestone-based research contracting, and with IP, publication and background-IP terms.
• Awareness of GLP, animal welfare accreditation and biosafety/export control requirements.
• 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

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