Senior Manager, Lab Operations

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 137,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. is seeking a Senior Manager, Lab Operations in Cambridge, MA.

This role oversees the operational delivery of laboratory asset maintenance across US R&D sites and manages a third-party vendor responsible for maintenance, calibrations, and repairs. You will work with Finance, Procurement, and scientific teams to monitor performance, control budgets, and drive cost savings while ensuring compliance and reliability of critical lab assets.

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

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day vendor oversight and service delivery across US R&D sites.
• Evaluate laboratory asset maintenance and service plans for cost efficiency and reliability.
• Collaborate with Finance and Procurement to track spend and drive budget savings.
• Identify opportunities to reduce downtime and improve equipment reliability.

Skills

Operational management

Vendor oversight

Stakeholder engagement

Data-driven decisions

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry/ biology/ pharmacy/ engineering

Master’s degree in related field

PhD in related field

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 deliver Better 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

Third‑Party Vendor Oversight and Service Delivery

You will manage day‑to‑day vendor oversight and service delivery across US R&D sites. Working within established service expectations, you will coordinate with scientific and operational teams to keep laboratory equipment available, maintain required service documentation, and address issues affecting research operations. 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; escalates 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.

Asset Coverage Planning and Operational Excellence

You will implement agreed laboratory asset coverage plans that balance reliability, risk, cost, and scientific need. You will evaluate service options, recommend coverage changes, coordinate maintenance planning, and deliver operational improvements that reduce downtime and improve the scientist experience. 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.

Financial Stewardship and Cost Savings

You will manage assigned laboratory equipment maintenance and service budgets, working with Finance, Procurement, vendors, and site teams to track spend, improve contract value, and deliver measurable savings. You will negotiate service costs in partnership with Procurement and within delegated authority, while maintaining reliable support for critical lab assets. 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 escalates 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.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration and Change Implementation

You will collaborate across scientific, operational, technical and business teams to implement agreed improvements to lab asset services. You will coordinate process adoption, communicate operational changes, and support consistent service delivery aligned with research priorities. 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
• 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.

Business 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 elevate material risks, budget exceptions, and decisions beyond delegated authority.

Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary

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.

Takeda is an industry‑leading, global pharmaceutical company with an unwavering dedication to putting patients at the center of everything we do. We live our values of Takeda‑ism – Integrity, Fairness, Honesty, and Perseverance – and are united by our mission to strive towards Better Health and a Brighter Future for people worldwide through leading innovation in medicine. Here, everyone matters and you will be a vital contributor to our inspiring, bold mission. At Takeda, you will make an impact on people’s lives – including your own. Takeda is an equal opportunity employer.

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.