Global Category Manager

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Job Description

Job Summary:

The Director of Global Category Management for R&D Functional Service Providers (FSP) is responsible for leading the strategic sourcing and procurement activities for all FSP services with greater than 500 OY annual spend, required for Research and Development (R&D), Research, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Development Organizations across the Global R&D organization.

This role involves developing and implementing global category strategies, managing supplier relationships, and driving cost-saving initiatives while ensuring the highest standards of quality and compliance. The Director will collaborate with cross-functional teams including R&D, procurement, quality assurance, and finance to align category strategies with business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Category Strategy Development:

  • Develop and implement comprehensive global category strategies for R&D FSP services.

  • Conduct market analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and risks.

  • Align category strategies with overall business goals and R&D objectives across functions and regions.

  • Inclusion of ESG (Environmental & Social Governance) objectives in category strategies

• Supplier Relationship Management:

  • Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers for FSP services.

  • Establish and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to ensure reliability, quality, and innovation.

  • Negotiate contracts, terms, and conditions with suppliers to achieve optimal pricing and service levels.

• Procurement and Sourcing

  • Lead global sourcing initiatives to drive cost savings and value creation.

  • Implement best practices in procurement processes, including RFIs, RFPs, and RFQs.

  • Ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and quality standards.

• Financial Management:

  • Develop and manage the annual demand plan with the business for lab consumables and services.

  • Track and report on cost savings and financial performance of the category.

  • Collaborate with finance teams to forecast and manage spend.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration:

  • Work closely with R&D teams across geographies and functions to understand their requirements and ensure timely and effective procurement of FSP services.

  • Partner with Indirect colleagues to ensure compliance to MSP program and Consulting strategies

  • Coordinate with R&D GCMs to de-bundle FSP services to optimize sourcing strategies

• Performance Management:

  • Monitor and evaluate supplier performance using key performance indicators (KPIs).

  • Implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance category performance.

  • Address and resolve any issues related to supplier performance.

• Team Leadership:

  • Mentor and develop a global team of procurement professionals.

  • Provide mentorship, guidance, and training to team members.

  • Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence within the team.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, Chemistry, Biology, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.

• Preferred ISM (Institute of Supplier Management) Certifications:

  • CPSM® Certified Professional in Supply Management®

  • CPSD® Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity®

• Minimum of 14 years of experience in procurement, category management, or supply chain management, with a focus on lab consumables and services in the pharmaceutical industry.

• Proven experience in developing and implementing global category strategies within complex and business critical areas.

• Strong negotiation, contract management, and supplier relationship management skills.

• Excellent analytical, financial, and strategic thinking abilities.

• Strong leadership and team management skills.

• Ability to work effectively in a global, cross-functional environment.

• Knowledge of industry regulations and quality standards

• Proficiency in procurement software and tools such as Ariba and SAP.

 Competencies:

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop long-term category strategies aligned with business objectives. Sees ahead clearly and anticipates future consequences and trends accurately.

• Analytical Skills: Strong capability to analyze market trends, financial data, and supplier performance.

• Negotiation Skills: Expertise in negotiating contracts and managing supplier relationships.

• Leadership: Proven track record of leading and developing high-performing teams.

• Communication and Presentations: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels and be comfortable around higher management.

• Problem-Solving: Strong problem-solving skills with a focus on continuous improvement.

• Project Management: Ability to manage multiple projects and initiatives simultaneously.

• Collaboration: Ability to work across the RDP (R&D Procurement) teams as well with all business partners to foster positive, enduring business relationships with compassion

• Ability to deal with Ambiguity and remain calm under pressure.

• Conflict Management: Steps up to conflicts, seeing them as opportunities; reads the room and the situation quickly and focuses on listening.

• Planning and Prioritization: Accurately scopes out length and difficulty of tasks and projects; spends time on what’s important and zeros in on the few critical tasks at hand. Manages time effectively

• Drive for Results

• Self-Development: Personally committed to and actively works to continuously improve their skillset

Location:

• Cambridge, MA

• This is a hybrid role with in-office expectations of at least 10+ days per month. A strong onsite presence is necessary, candidates must be locally based within a reasonable commute to Takeda's Cambridge, MA offices.

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:

$169,400.00 - $266,200.00

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

YesIt 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.