Senior Manager, R&D Contract Management

POL - 6067 Takeda Pharma; Łódź; Hybrid; PLN 267,000 - 368,000; Full time

Job summary

Takeda is seeking a procurement/contract management professional for a global, contract delivery role based in Łódź, Poland. The role supports R&D teams by coordinating drafting, negotiation and execution of CRO and partner agreements across functions (R&D, Legal, Finance, Compliance, Quality, Procurement).

You will manage POs, invoicing, accruals, and ensure compliance with Takeda policies. Ideal candidates bring 8+ years of contract management experience, strong English proficiency, and a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in business, life sciences, law, procurement, or related field.
• Excellent English proficiency essential for handling English-language contractual and business documentation.
• Typically requires 8+ years of relevant experience in business operations, or contract management.
• In-depth knowledge of contract terms, contracting workflows, contract negotiation, and risk management principles.
• Strong understanding of healthcare compliance regulations and related controls.
• Comfortable using Ariba, ServiceNow, Microsoft Office, Power BI and Power Automate.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate drafting, negotiation, execution, amendments, and closeout of contracts.
• Partner with R&D requestors to translate business needs into contract terms.
• Coordinate with Procurement, Legal, Finance, Compliance, Quality and 3rd parties to support drafting and execution.
• Ensure compliance with Takeda policies, financial controls, quality requirements and transparency reporting.
• Oversee PO approval, invoice reconciliation, accrual reporting, and system activities.

Education

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in business, life sciences, law, procurement, or related field

Job description

OBJECTIVES/PURPOSE

This global, business-facing contract delivery role, supports Takeda R&D teams to engage with external partners efficiently and compliantly, enabling supplier collaboration to progress Takeda’s portfolio. The role, based in Łódź Poland, operates globally and requires organization and communication skills. The role does not require formal line management but requires strong matrix leadership, stakeholder management, and the ability to coordinate complex contract execution across R&D, Procurement, Legal, Finance, Compliance, Quality, and external suppliers. Manage and execute contracts, including Collaboration Research Agreements (CRAs), Master Service Agreements (MSAs), Statement of Work (SOW), Confidentiality Disclosure Agreements (CDAs), etc., and amendments to these agreements. Ensure compliance with Takeda's requirements and policies by managing all quotes from Contract Research Organizations (CROs) and ensuring proper terms and conditions. Proactively oversee proper purchase order (PO) approval and management, invoice reconciliation, and accrual reporting related to contracts. Leads cross-functional team and provides direction for all phases of contract processing, including negotiation and execution.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Coordinate drafting, negotiation, execution, amendments, and closeout of contracts.
• Partner with R&D requestors to clarify business needs and translate requirements into contractable terms.
• Coordinate with Procurement, Legal, Finance, Compliance, Quality, and 3rd parties to support drafting, negotiation, execution, and issue resolution.
• Ensure contract delivery complies with Takeda policies, financial controls, quality requirements, healthcare compliance obligations, and applicable transparency reporting requirements.
• Manage supplier onboarding/updates, contract records, purchase order approval, invoice reconciliation, accruals, and related system activities.
• Oversee proper purchase order (PO) approval and management, invoice reconciliation, and accrual reporting related to contracts.
• Where relevant, ensures on-time delivery of transparency reporting requirements.
• Monitor process performance, manage risks, and identify opportunities for automation, simplification, and continuous improvement.
• Engage with key stakeholders outside immediate function and contribute to the development of new concepts and standards.
• Provide matrix leadership to functional teams and mentor junior colleagues without formal line management responsibility.

DIMENSIONS AND ASPECTS

Technical/Functional (Line) Expertise Strong understanding of drug discovery and/or development activities in context of line functions and project teams. Strong project management skills and demonstrated ability to act independently through complex cross-functional matrices. Proactive, resourceful, self-motivated, and possess good interpersonal skills to interact professionally with all levels in the organization. Excellent general problem-solving skills and a proven ability to manage multiple projects and to simplify and organize complex tasks. Accurate and precise communication skills are necessary with experience of international partnerships with multiple international contributors to individual projects. Strong knowledge of procurement & financial systems such as Ariba, MDG, legal CLMs, Medispend/ salesforce, Microsoft office, Power BI and Power Automate. Excellent understanding of contracting requirements in line with Takeda policies and external regulations.

Negotiation skills (internal and external facing)

Leadership Enterprise level leadership with the ability to inspire, motivate and drive results.

Presentation Ability to present complex information clearly and with confidence.

Communication Excellent communicator, able to persuasively convey both ideas and data, verbally and in writing.

Teamwork Proven skills as an effective team player who can engender credibility and confidence within and outside the company.

Simplification Ability to distil complex issues and ideas down to simple comprehensible terms.

Diversity and inclusion Embrace and demonstrate a diversity and inclusion mindset and role -model these behaviors for the organization. Champion diversity.

Project leadership Lead functional teams or projects, serve as consultant to management and develop new standards.

Mentoring Ability to mentor junior team members.

Decision-making Accountable for decision making and critical thinking. Accountable to operate with large autonomy to deliver timely and compliant execution of requests, in compliance with all policies and regulations. Provide input to complex decisions that impact the global contract management team and elevate when necessary. Ability to seek diverse input from multiple constituents and stakeholders to drive innovative solutions. Ability to incorporate feedback and ensure decisions are implemented swiftly to yield flawless execution.

Interaction Effectively navigates changing internal and external environment and leads others through change by creating an inspiring and engaging workplace. Effectively represents function in negotiations with the ability to resolve conflict in a constructive manner. Ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively across Takeda functions and geographies.

Innovation Ability to take controlled risks implementing innovative solutions, accelerating time to market. Pro-actively identifies opportunities and anticipates changes in the business landscape through an ongoing assessment of the environment affecting the business; Lead process improvement through structured continuous improvement methods and innovative problem solving. Role models 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.

EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in business, life sciences, law, procurement, or a related field. Excellent English proficiency essential, including the ability to work with English-language contractual and business documentation.

Typically requires 8+ years of relevant experience in business operations, or contract management, preferably within the pharmaceutical industry or a similar complex regulatory environment.

In-depth knowledge of contract terms, contracting workflows, contract negotiation, risk management principles as applied to procurement contracts and procurement related controls.

Strong understanding of risk management principles as applied to procurement contracts.

Understanding of Healthcare Compliance regulations, including U.S. Federal Sunshine Act, and general contracting processes and systems.

Comfortable using technology applications including but not limited to Ariba, ServiceNow and Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and SharePoint), Power Bi and Power automate.

Demonstrated ability to effectively manage projects in a global matrix environment and collaborate across multiple functions and geographies.

Strong leadership abilities with a proven track record of independently accomplishing tasks from initiation through closeout, including proactive follow-up with stakeholders to ensure completion.

Exceptional organization and communication skills. Strong mentoring abilities. Advanced analytical and strategic thinking, problem solving, experience with continuous improvement processes. Able to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing business needs in a dynamic environment.

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

zł267,400.00 - zł367,730.00

WORKER TYPE

Employee, Regular Time Type Full time

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