Senior Manager, Lab Operations

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 137,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited seeks a Senior Manager, Lab Operations in Boston, MA to lead on-site laboratory asset maintenance and service coverage across US R&D sites. You will supervise a third-party vendor, drive maintenance plans, monitor budgets, and deliver cost savings while collaborating with scientists, Finance, and Procurement to ensure uninterrupted research operations.

This leadership role requires strong data analysis, vendor management, and cross-functional communication

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, pharmacy, engineering or related pharmaceutical science; 12+ years relevant industry experience.
• Master's degree in chemistry, biology, pharmacy, engineering or related pharmaceutical science; 8+ years relevant industry experience.
• PhD in chemistry, biology, pharmacy, engineering or related pharmaceutical science; 4+ years relevant industry experience.
• Experience managing laboratory operations, lab asset services, scientific equipment maintenance, vendor delivery, or related operational activities.
• Strong working knowledge of laboratory equipment service models, including preventive maintenance, calibration, break/fix support, service contracts, vendor coordination, and performance management.
• Excellent communication, influencing, stakeholder management, and escalation management skills.
• Ability to translate priorities into practical plans, use data to drive improvements, and manage cross-functional relationships.

Responsibilities

• Oversee on-site third-party lab asset management vendor across US R&D sites.
• Monitor service levels, KPIs, response times, and vendor performance within budgets.
• Collaborate with scientists, Lab Operations, Facilities, EHS, IT, Finance, and Procurement to ensure maintenance supports continuity.
• Lead cost-saving initiatives through maintenance optimization, contract reviews, and spend analysis.

Skills

Lab operations leadership

Vendor oversight

Budget management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, pharmacy, engineering or related pharmaceutical science

Master's degree in chemistry, biology, pharmacy, engineering or related pharmaceutical science

PhD in chemistry, biology, pharmacy, engineering or related pharmaceutical science

Job description

Job Description

Are you looking for a patient-focused, innovation-driven company that will inspire you and empower you to shine? Join us as a Senior Manager, Lab Operations in our Cambridge office.

At Takeda, we are transforming the pharmaceutical industry through our R&D-driven market leadership and being a values-led company. To do this, we empower our people to realize their potential through life-changing work. Certified as a Global Top Employer, we offer stimulating careers, encourage innovation, and strive for excellence in everything we do. We foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace, in which our global teams are united by an unwavering commitment to deliverBetter Health and a Brighter Future to people around the world.

Here, you will be a vital contributor to our inspiring, bold mission.

Role Purpose:

This role manages the operational delivery of laboratory asset maintenance and service coverage across Takeda's U.S. R&D sites, within the strategy and priorities established by Lab Asset Management leadership. The Senior Manager oversees the on-site third-party asset management vendor responsible for coordinating preventative maintenance, calibrations, and corrective repairs for laboratory equipment. Working with scientific, Finance, and Procurement teams, this role monitors vendor performance, implements agreed service coverage plans, manages assigned budgets, and delivers measurable cost savings. The role recommends improvements based on equipment criticality, service data, and scientific needs, resolves operational issues within delegated authority, and escalates significant risks, budget exceptions, and strategic decisions to leadership.

How you will contribute:

Key activities

• Manage day-to-day oversight of the on-site third-party lab asset management vendor coordinating preventative maintenance, calibrations, corrective repairs, and break/fix services across US R&D sites.
• Implement agreed service expectations, governance routines, escalation pathways, and performance standards; recommend adjustments to leadership based on service results.
• Monitor vendor performance against service level agreements, key performance indicators, response times, completion rates, customer satisfaction, documentation quality, and financial expectations.
• Resolve operational service issues, equipment downtime, and vendor performance concerns within delegated authority; elevate significant risks and unresolved cross-functional issues to leadership.
• Work with the on-site vendor to monitor OEM and third-party service providers against agreed performance goals across contracted and time-and-materials service models, and follow through on corrective actions.
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Asset Coverage Planning and Operational Excellence

• Assess asset criticality, utilization, risk, warranty status, age, service history, and scientific need to recommend maintenance coverage and implement approved plans.
• Evaluate OEM contracts, third-party coverage, time-and-materials support, preventative maintenance plans, and other service options with stakeholders; recommend fit-for-purpose solutions within established coverage guidelines and approval processes.
• Ensure accurate tracking of maintenance coverage, calibration requirements, service history, repair activity, and asset status to support reliable operations and data-driven decisions.
• Identify opportunities to reduce downtime, improve equipment reliability, standardize workflows, and enhance the scientist experience.
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Financial Stewardship and Cost Savings

• Identify, quantify, and deliver approved cost savings through right-sized service coverage, contract optimization, vendor consolidation, warranty utilization, and repair-versus-replace analysis; negotiate pricing and service terms with Procurement within delegated authority.
• Provide budget and forecast inputs to Finance and leadership; manage approved budgets for maintenance, calibrations, preventative maintenance programs, service contracts, and repairs, and elevate variances requiring approval.
• Review service spend, quotes, invoices, entitlements, contract terms, and vendor recommendations to ensure Takeda receives appropriate value and avoids unnecessary spend.
• Prepare dashboards, reports, and business case inputs summarizing service performance, budget status, spend trends, financial impact, risks, and savings opportunities for leadership review.
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Cross-Functional Collaboration and Change Implementation

• Act as a trusted partner to scientists, Lab Operations, Facilities, EHS, IT, Finance, Procurement, and site leadership to ensure maintenance practices support business continuity and research priorities.
• Coordinate implementation and adoption of approved processes, vendor operating models, system enhancements, reporting routines, and service coverage plans, including stakeholder communication and issue resolution.
• Apply established governance routines and promote consistent processes and clear operational accountability across US R&D sites.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that simplify service request pathways, improve data quality, strengthen compliance, and enhance the customer experience.

Expected skills to be successful in role:

To be successful in this role, you will bring strong operational management, analytical, vendor oversight, and stakeholder engagement skills. You can translate established priorities into practical service plans, balance scientific needs with service quality and financial discipline, and use data to recommend improvements. You work independently within defined responsibilities, coordinate cross-functional solutions, hold vendors accountable for agreed outcomes, and recognize when issues require leadership decisions

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, pharmacy, engineering or related pharmaceutical science; 12+ years relevant industry experience

Master's degree in chemistry, biology, pharmacy, engineering or related pharmaceutical science; 8+ years relevant industry experience

• undefined
• PhD in chemistry, biology, pharmacy, engineering or related pharmaceutical science; 4+ years relevant industry experience
• Relevant experience managing laboratory operations, lab asset services, scientific equipment maintenance (vendor or customer side), vendor delivery, or related operational activities, ideally within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences, or other highly regulated environments.
• Strong working knowledge of laboratory equipment service models, including preventative maintenance, calibration, break/fix support, service contracts, vendor coordination, and performance management.
• Demonstrated ability to use data, metrics, and operational insights to drive cost savings, improve service quality, increase efficiency, and support informed business decisions.
• Experience partnering with Procurement, Finance, scientific teams, and business stakeholders on service contract reviews, pricing negotiations, spend analysis, sourcing support, assigned budgets, and supplier performance.
• Excellent communication, influencing, stakeholder management, and escalation management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across scientific, operational, technical, and business audiences.
• undefinedBusiness Expertise & Leadership Capabilities Translate established lab asset management priorities into operational plans; manage vendor delivery and assigned budgets; use service and financial data to recommend improvements; influence cross-functional partners without direct authority; and escalated material risks, budget exceptions, and decisions beyond delegated authority.

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:

$137,000.00 - $215,270.00

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.

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.