Manager, Packaging Performance & Automation

Takeda; Round Lake Beach (IL); On-site; USD 116,000 - 182,000; Full time

Job summary

Takeda in Round Lake, IL seeks a Manager of Packaging Performance & Automation to drive excellence across throughput, OEE, and quality. The role leads CAPA, deviations, and change control while partnering with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Validation, and Operations to implement automation and technology improvements.

The successful candidate will champion Takeda's Quality and Safety culture, manage performance dashboards, and guide cross-functional teams to reduce downtime and defects in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field is required.
• Minimum 6 years in regulated manufacturing (pharma/biotech/medical devices).
• At least 2 years in leadership roles in manufacturing/packaging operations.

Responsibilities

• Own packaging performance metrics: throughput, downtime, OEE, labor efficiency, quality.
• Lead initiatives to improve packaging efficiency, reliability, and cost.
• Drive CAPA, deviations, and change controls to ensure timely, effective improvements.
• Partner with Eng/Maintenance to implement automation and tech improvements.
• Develop packaging performance dashboards and KPIs.

Skills

Leadership

Pharma packaging

CAPA/Deviations

Automation systems

DMAIC/Lean Six Sigma

Data analysis

Cross-functional comms

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Science/Manufacturing/Industrial Tech

Tools

PLC/SCADA

Job description

By clicking the “Apply” button, I understand that my employment application process with Takeda will commence and that the information I provide in my application will be processed in line with Takeda’s Privacy Notice and Terms of Use. I further attest that all information I submit in my employment application is true to the best of my knowledge.

Job Description:

Summary:

Round Lake is a large-volume pharmaceutical manufacturing facility responsible for filling life-saving plasma-derived therapeutics. Site operations include aseptic filling, inspection, labeling, and packaging.

The Manager, Packaging Performance & Automation is responsible for driving packaging operational excellence through equipment reliability, process optimization, automation initiatives, CAPA effectiveness, deviation reduction, and change control execution. This role serves as the primary business leader for packaging performance and continuous improvement by partnering closely with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Validation, and Operations.

The incumbent is responsible for improving equipment effectiveness, increasing throughput, reducing downtime, eliminating recurring process issues, and driving sustainable operational improvements. The individual must leverage data-driven decision-making, lead strategic improvement projects, provide operational and technical coordination for investigations and corrective actions, and support implementation of automation and technology enhancements.

The position is expected to champion Quality Culture, Safety Culture, and Takeda Values while ensuring compliance with cGMP requirements and maintaining a focus on patient, trust, reputation, and business outcomes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Own packaging performance metrics, including throughput, downtime, OEE, labor efficiency, and quality performance.
• Lead operational excellence initiatives focused on improving packaging efficiency, reliability, quality, and cost performance.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, DMAIC, and problem-solving methodologies.
• Lead and oversee CAPAs, deviations, and change controls to ensure timely execution, effectiveness, and sustainable compliance improvements.
• Partner with Engineering and Maintenance to develop and implement automation, equipment reliability, and technology improvement initiatives.
• Utilize operational data and performance trends to identify opportunities for process optimization and defect reduction.
• Support investigations related to equipment performance, process deviations, recurring defects, and operational disruptions.
• Develop and maintain packaging performance dashboards, KPIs, and management reporting tools.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Validation, and Operations to execute strategic improvement initiatives.
• Prioritize and support capital projects and equipment enhancements aligned with business and operational objectives.
• Support regulatory inspections and represent packaging operations during internal and external audits.
• Provide coaching and leadership that promotes accountability, innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Champion Takeda Values, Quality Culture, Safety Culture, and patient-focused decision-making.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.
• Strong knowledge of pharmaceutical manufacturing, packaging operations, and cGMP requirements.
• Experience leading CAPAs, deviations, change controls, investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Understanding of equipment reliability, automation systems, and manufacturing technologies.
• Experience utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, DMAIC, and root cause analysis methodologies.
• Strong analytical, project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate technical information and operational performance to all organizational levels.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and manufacturing performance reporting tools.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or a related technical discipline preferred.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or regulated manufacturing environments.
• Minimum of 2 years of leadership experience in manufacturing, engineering, maintenance, operational excellence, or packaging operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading CAPAs, deviations, change controls, investigations, and continuous improvement programs.
• Experience supporting automation projects, equipment implementation, or manufacturing technology deployment preferred.
• Experience with packaging equipment, manufacturing systems, and reliability improvement programs preferred.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent certification preferred.

Physical Demands:

• In general, the position requires a combination of sedentary work and routine presence within manufacturing operations to observe processes, equipment performance, and working conditions.
• May require extended periods of walking, standing, attending production meetings, and supporting operational activities in manufacturing environments.

Working Environment:

• Must be able to work in controlled manufacturing environments requiring special gowning and PPE.
• Position requires routine interaction with packaging equipment, automated systems, and manufacturing operations.
• May work in clean room, temperature-controlled, and warehouse environments.
• Indoor working conditions.

Other Job Requirements:

• Must be able to work non-traditional or extended hours, including weekends and holidays, as needed.

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:

USA - IL - Round Lake - Drug Delivery

U.S. Base Salary Range :

$116,000.00 - $182,270.00

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.

Benefits

For information about our benefits, please click here.

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:

USA - IL - Round Lake - Drug Delivery

Worker Type:

Employee

Worker Sub-Type:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Job Exempt:

Yes