Assoc Director, API Process Science

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 154,000 - 243,000; Full time

Job summary

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited in Boston, MA is seeking an Associate Director for MSAT Synthetic Molecule API to lead technical programs for commercial drug substance manufacturing. The role requires directing cross-functional teams, driving process improvements, and managing external CDMOs while ensuring compliance with cGMP and CMC regulations.

The position emphasizes lifecycle management, data-driven decision making, and collaboration across QA, QC, and regulatory groups to deliver

Qualifications

• MS in chemistry, chemical engineering, pharmaceutical engineering or related scientific discipline with 5–10 years of experience; PhD with 5+ years of experience in commercial pharmaceutical/chemical industry for synthetic drug substance.
• Direct management experience with external Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs).
• Strong working knowledge of cGMP manufacturing operations and drug substance manufacturing for small molecules.
• Working knowledge of CMC regulations, cGMP, and ICH guidance lines.
• Knowledge of DoE and QbD.
• Advanced Excel and MS Office; JMP or MATLAB preferred.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; ability to work in cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct leadership for day-to-day technical activities for Takeda's synthetic commercial drug substance manufacturing, including troubleshooting, process changes and improvements.
• Lead PPQ/validation, LCM strategies, and cross-functional process design and optimization.
• Interface between MSAT Synthetic Molecule and CDMOs, QA, QC, CMC regulatory and supply chain groups on technical issues.
• Compile and analyze production data (IPC, release, DoE) to improve quality and ROI on projects.
• Present manufacturing data in multi-disciplinary meetings to improve efficiency.
• Lead Change Controls, investigations, and CAPAs with internal and external stakeholders.
• Supervise interns, contractors, and FTEs as appropriate.

Skills

Technical leadership

cGMP knowledge

Project management

DoE & QbD

JMP/MATLAB

Manufacturing tech transfer

Education

MS in chemistry or related field

PhD in chemistry/related field

Tools

JMP

MATLAB

Excel

Job description

Associate Director - MSAT Synthetic Molecule API

OBJECTIVES:

• The Associate Director, MSAT Synthetic Molecule API is responsible for managing technical issues relating to the global external manufacturing of commercial Drug Substance. The focus for this position is to provide technical leadership within MSAT Synthetic Molecule, Drug Substance group for the management of specialty small molecules that are relevant to key therapeutics drug substance.
• The individual will be directly responsible for commercial manufacturing of drug substance, process design, optimization, scale-up, technology transfer, validation and maintaining the Life-Cycle Management (LCM) of the product.
• The individual will lead to resolve technical issues relating to a product line or major technical projects within MSAT Synthetic Molecule. The individual will lead a small group (internal and external) of Technical Operations staff to manage technical programs and contract manufacturing organizations (CDMOs).
• Additionally, the candidate will provide technical leadership keeping patient safety and business requirements as a key attribute on individual key technical projects in support of Takeda products.

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Provide direct leadership for day-to-day technical activities for Takeda's synthetic commercial drug substance manufacturing - i.e., trouble shooting, process changes and improvements, new manufacturing technology implementation, process analytical tools, statistical analysis using software such as JMP etc.
• Must have working knowledge of phase appropriate CMC development throughout the drug development which includes understanding and implementation of "Process Performance Qualification (PPQ)/Validation", LCM activities etc. strategies and protocol development and implementations.
• Lead and act as the primary interface on technical issues between MSAT Synthetic Molecule and third-party drug substance manufacturers and with Takeda's quality (QA and QC), CMC regulatory, compliance, and supply chain group.
• Lead the exercise in the compilation and analysis of production data, such as IPC, release, DoE, and manufacturing process information relating to Takeda's synthetic molecule product portfolio to improve the quality and ROIs on the projects.
• Lead discussions on the presentation in multi-disciplinary meetings (QA, QC, CMC RA, Drug Product, compliance) of manufacturing data summary to improve manufacturing efficiency.
• Must have the knowledge and phase appropriate implementation strategies of QbD during Life-cycle management of the product.
• Must have knowledge and understanding of current ICH guidelines and related industry practices such as ISO etc.
• Author pertinent SOP's and manufacturing process instructions.
• Direct and provide technical leadership on Change Controls, investigations, and CAPAs. This would include writing the appropriate justifications to close out any investigation(s) and CAPAs implementation both internally and externally.
• Lead critical technical projects relating to the manufacturing of Takeda commercial MSAT Synthetic Molecule drug substance.

• Author and review relevant dossier sections (Module 3) related to commercial manufacturing submissions and relevant process knowledge documentations.
• Identify, and test, strategies to reduce manufacturing risks and maintain the product Life-cycle management.

• Manage/Supervise interns, contractors and FTE's, as appropriate.

SCOPE OF SUPERVISION:

NUMBER SUPERVISED WORKERS

Direct: Employees - 0

In-Direct: Non-Employees - 1-2

EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

• The candidate should have an MS in chemistry, chemical engineering, pharmaceutical engineering or other scientific discipline and 5-10 years of experience or PhD with 5+ year's experience working in commercial pharmaceutical/chemical industry for synthetic drug substance.
• The ideal candidate should have had direct management experience with external Contract Manufacturing Organizations.
• The candidate should have a good working knowledge of cGMP manufacturing operations, and/or drug substance manufacturing with experience with small molecules, preferred.
• The preferred candidate will also have a background in QA or other industry relevant background. The candidate needs to have working knowledge of CMC regulations, cGMP, and ICH guidance lines.
• The candidate should have working knowledge of process qualification for "Accelerated" and "Breakthrough designation" programs.
• The candidate should have an advanced knowledge of Excel as well as other Microsoft Office suite software. Other analytical software usage such as JMP or MATLAB is also preferred.
• The candidate should have working knowledge and understanding of DoE and QbD etc.
• The candidate should have demonstrated written and oral communication skills and ability to work in a cross functional team environment.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS: N/A

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Office work

• Computer use

• Airline travel

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to travel to various meetings or client sites, including overnight trips. Some international travel may be required.

Position requires up to 5-20% domestic and international travel.

Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary

We 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:

Boston, MA

U.S. Base Salary Range:

$154,400.00 - $242,550.00

The 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.

EEO Statement

Takeda 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.

Locations

Boston, MA

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time

Job Exempt

Yes

It 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.