Global Process & Risk Lead, R&D Contracts (Hybrid)

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.; Łódź; Hybrid; PLN 328,000 - 451,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. in Lodz, Poland, is seeking an Associate Director to lead global process-standardization and risk-mitigation across R&D contracting operations.

The role will align cross-functional stakeholders across US, Poland, India, and Japan, with local leadership for Łódź-based colleagues and a matrix relationship to the US manager. Responsibilities include identifying risks, implementing improvements, and championing digital tools and automation to enhance efficiency,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, operations, engineering, life sciences, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 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 Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Ariba/ERP solutions, ServiceNow, Smartsheet, Power BI.
• Understanding of Healthcare Compliance, including U.S. Federal Sunshine Act.
• Exceptional organization and communication skills.
• Prior people-management or matrix-leadership experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• 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 PDCA 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.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Change management

Stakeholder management

Project management

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/engineering/l life sciences

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

SharePoint

Ariba/ERP solutions

ServiceNow

Smartsheet

Power BI

Job description

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. in Lodz, Poland, is seeking an Associate Director to lead global process-standardization and risk-mitigation across R&D contracting operations.

The role will align cross-functional stakeholders across US, Poland, India, and Japan, with local leadership for Łódź-based colleagues and a matrix relationship to the US manager. Responsibilities include identifying risks, implementing improvements, and championing digital tools and automation to enhance efficiency,