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How Our Sales Leaders Grow: Purpose, Support & Ownership

Sales Leaders on Career Growth at Takeda

Career growth at Takeda does not follow one path and that is part of what makes it meaningful for sales professionals who want to expand their horizon. Through the experiences of Crystal Harris, Jim Hansen and Ken Curtis, a clear picture emerges: growth here is shaped by purpose, strengthened by support, and built through the choices people make to stretch, learn, and serve patients.

If a culture of continuous growth and learning is what you're looking for in your next opportunity, check out our open sales roles. 

professional headshot of a woman, Crystal Harris, in a black suit

Growth can be built through movement, not just promotion

Crystal Harris has spent 15 years growing her career across roles, franchises, and regions, from district sales manager to her current role as West Area Sales Director for sleep disorders. Along the way, she made moves that expanded her perspective, including stepping from first-line leadership into an individual contributor manager role for greater breadth, relocating from Minnesota to Pittsburgh and then Phoenix, building teams in GI and rare disease, and taking on interim national sales director experience before helping shape a new sleep disorders franchise.

"I’ve had support over these 15 years in doing the things that I love to do and doing the things that I want to do [...] all the while still keeping patients at the forefront, still on my development journey, and it’s just been amazing.”

Her experience reflects a culture where development can mean lateral moves, new geographies, and new business challenges, not only upward progression.

A professional headshot of a man, Ken Curtis, in a blue collared shirt with a blue jacket

Challenges become opportunities in a supportive environment

Ken Curtis describes a career shaped by primary care sales, sales training, and a leadership style grounded in simplicity, clarity, and partnership. In his 6 years here, Takeda has supported his development through interim roles and leadership programs and stretch assignments. “You’re pushed to grow, but you’re not doing it alone"

While growth can come with ambiguity, high expectations, and the need to work across functions, those who have achieved their career growth goals at Takeda point to the same foundation: collaboration, accountability, and a patient-centered purpose that keeps teams grounded in doing the right thing.

A professional headshot of a man, Jim Hansen, in a blue collared shirt with a blue jacket

Take ownership of your journey

Jim Hansen’s career spans more than 20 years at Takeda, including time away from the company before returning. He credits culture and people for bringing him back, along with leaders who saw his potential and invested in it. “The training and development investment that I personally experience helped me hit the ground running as an effective and impactful leader.”

His path includes experiences ranging from engineering and manufacturing to sales, marketing, forecasting, and field leadership all of which helped him to shape and refine his own leadership style. 

While he benefited from structured programs, his messages for candidates curious about career growth at Takeda, his message is direct and clear: "You own your growth." What your future here looks like is up to you. Takeda can support your growth by offering in-role development, leadership pathways, cross-functional opportunities, interim assignments, and moves into areas such as key account management, patient services, training, marketing, and analytics. However, you have to make your ambitions clear and advocate for the opportunities that interest you. 

Make Your Next Move. Change the Trajectory of Your Career.

Together, these sales leaders’ experiences show that career growth at Takeda is personal and deeply connected to purpose. Here, you get to determine your next move with real support and genuine care from those around you. Take the first step and check out our open roles today.

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