Associate Director, Forecast Lead, Plasma Derived Therapies

Takeda; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 154,000 - 243,000; Full time

Job summary

Takeda in Cambridge, MA is seeking an Associate Director, Forecast Lead for Plasma Derived Therapies. This role leads demand forecasting for in-line products, near-term pipeline assets, and business development opportunities across plasma-derived therapies in the U.S.

FTP Business Unit. You will own all parts of forecast development, coordinate with Brand Analytics, review models, develop narratives, present insights to senior leadership, and drive improvements in forecasting capabilities

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an analytical field and 8+ years analytics/forecasting experience.
• 5+ years of pharmaceutical analytics experience.
• Experience with plasma-derived therapies is an asset.
• Strong understanding of forecasting principles and secondary market data.
• Advanced Excel modeling skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop demand forecasts for assigned therapeutic areas to support monthly business reviews with senior leadership, annual planning, mid- and long-range planning, lifecycle management, pipeline prioritization, and business development assessments.
• Lead cross-functional partners to align on forecast inputs, assumptions, risks, opportunities, and strategic impact.
• Advise cross-functional teams on analytics needed to understand market dynamics, brand use, performance trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Facilitate meetings, secure partner commitment, and prepare for leadership questions and decisions.
• Represent the forecasting team in senior leadership discussions and communicate forecast assumptions and insights clearly.
• Prepare and deliver executive-level presentations turning analytics into actionable insights and recommendations.
• Test forecasts using multiple data sources and explain key drivers of forecast outcomes.
• Provide ongoing updates to leadership on brand performance vs forecasts and KPI implications.
• Lead continuous improvement of forecasting processes for quality, consistency, efficiency, and accuracy.
• Apply quantitative methods to address forecasting needs and engage external vendors when appropriate.
• Collaborate with Heads of Analytics to build understanding of market trends across designated areas.

Skills

Forecasting

Cross-functional leadership

Executive presentations

Excel modeling

Advanced analytics

Data analysis

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in analytics

Advanced degree in analytical field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Access

Job description

Job Description

About The Role

Associate Director, Forecast Lead for Plasma Derived Therapies

This role leads demand forecasting for in-line products, near-term pipeline assets, and business development opportunities across plasma-derived therapies in the U.S. FTP Business Unit. As a key member of cross-functional forecasting teams, you will develop high-quality forecasts that support annual, mid-range, and long-range planning; mid-year updates; lifecycle management; pipeline prioritization; and business case development for lifecycle management and pipeline assets.

You will own all parts of forecast development, including coordination with brand analytics for SCIG, IVIG/Flexbumin, and Alpha-1 model inputs and assumptions; review of all models; narrative development; project planning; meeting facilitation; and presentation of insights to senior leadership. The role calls for broad forecasting expertise, strong knowledge of the therapeutic area, and a clear understanding of corporate and brand strategy. You will also help improve forecasting capabilities by using new approaches, standardizing processes, and working with Pricing, Finance, and the U.S. Forecasting Center of Excellence. This role may grow to include management of employees, contractors, or vendors based on therapeutic area needs and business priorities.

How you will contribute

• Develop demand forecasts for assigned therapeutic areas to support monthly business reviews with senior leadership, annual planning, mid- and long-range planning, lifecycle management, pipeline prioritization, and business development assessments.
• Lead cross-functional partners, including Brand Analytics, Contract and Pricing, Managed Markets, Competitive Intelligence, Market Research, Sales, and Franchise leadership, to align on forecast inputs, assumptions, risks, opportunities, and strategic impact.
• Advise cross-functional teams on key business questions and analytics needed to better understand market dynamics, brand use, performance trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Facilitate productive meetings, encourage participation, secure partner commitment, and prepare for leadership questions and decisions.
• Represent the forecasting team in senior leadership discussions and communicate forecast assumptions, insights, implications, and recommendations with clarity and confidence.
• Prepare and deliver executive-level presentations that turn analytics into clear narratives, actionable insights, and strategic recommendations.
• Test forecasts using multiple data sources, explain key drivers of forecast outcomes, and support alignment on forecast assumptions and recommendations.
• Provide ongoing updates to organizational leadership on brand performance against forecasts and key performance indicators, including implications for future performance and recommended actions.
• Serve as a forecasting subject matter expert with deep knowledge of assigned markets and working knowledge of other therapeutic areas across the organization.
• Lead continuous improvement of forecasting processes to improve quality, consistency, efficiency, and accuracy.
• Apply quantitative methods, including optimization, regression, Monte Carlo simulation, and other analytical approaches, to address specific forecasting needs.
• Identify, engage, and manage external vendors when outsourcing is appropriate, including support from the future Global Capability Center, and oversee analytic plans, methods, timelines, and deliverables.
• Partner with the Head of FTP Insights and Analytics, Analytics Leads across FTP, Finance, and Franchise heads to build and maintain a deep understanding of current and future market trends across assigned and emerging therapeutic areas, including areas outside marketed products.
• Lead forecasting and commercial assessments for pipeline and lifecycle management opportunities in designated disease states, including market research design, forecast assumption and business case development, secondary data analysis, pricing and gross-to-net implications, and risk and opportunity evaluation.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal partners, including executives, managers, and cross-functional teams, to identify, assess, recommend, and gain endorsement for potential business opportunities.
• As a leader of a functional area or organization, you will set objectives, delegate tasks, and ensure operational success, with reviews by senior management.
• You will also help shape company policies, tackle complex problems, and meet budgets and schedules.
• Your responsibilities include managing projects, influencing organizational goals, maintaining frequent communication with peers and customers, and leading teams and projects, serving as a best practice/quality resource.

Required Skills And Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an analytical field such as statistics, operations research, management science, engineering, economics, business analytics, finance, mathematics, or a related field, and 8 or more years of analytics or forecasting experience; or an advanced degree in an analytical field and 6 or more years of analytics or forecasting experience.
• 5 or more years of pharmaceutical analytics experience.
• Experience with plasma-derived therapies is an asset.
• Strong understanding of quantitative principles, concepts, practices, and standards related to the use and interpretation of secondary market data.
• Extensive knowledge of forecasting principles, practices, tools, and pharmaceutical industry dynamics.
• Strong business acumen, finance fundamentals, and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated understanding of analytics, business modeling, and valuation concepts, including net present value, return on investment, and internal rate of return.
• Strong project planning, project management, communication, and presentation skills.
• Advanced Excel modeling skills and proficiency in one or more tools such as Microsoft Office and Access.
• Familiarity with artificial intelligence, machine learning, automation, and advanced analytical techniques, with the ability to evaluate and apply these approaches to improve forecasting, scenario planning, and business decision-making.
• Ability to manage internal and external resources, including people, information, technology, time, and budget, in alignment with business goals.

More about us

At Takeda, we are transforming patient care through the development of novel specialty pharmaceuticals and best in class patient support programs. Takeda is a patient-focused company that will inspire and empower you to grow through life-changing work.

Certified as a Global Top Employer, Takeda offers stimulating careers, encourages innovation, and strives for excellence in everything we do. We foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace, in which our teams are united by an unwavering commitment to deliver Better Health and a Brighter Future to people around the world.

This position is currently classified as "hybrid" in accordance with Takeda's Hybrid and Remote Work policy.

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

Cambridge, 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.

U.S. based employees may be eligible for short-term and/ or long-term incentives. U.S. based employees may be eligible to participate in medical, dental, vision insurance, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, a tuition reimbursement program, paid volunteer time off, company holidays, and well-being benefits, among others. U.S. based employees are also eligible to receive, per calendar year, up to 80 hours of sick time, and new hires are eligible to accrue up to 120 hours of paid vacation.

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

Cambridge, 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.