Global Category Manager, Fleet / Utilities

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Job Description

SCOPE

As a Global Category Manager, you will play a key role in developing and executing sub-category strategies for the Fleet and Utilities categories. Reporting to the Procurement Lead, you will plan and lead initiatives across these sub-categories, engaging both internal and external stakeholders. You will partner with stakeholders to strengthen Procurement’s relationships with all in-scope functions and serve as the primary procurement point of contact for category subject-matter expertise for the global business and procurement community.

In this role, you will be accountable for delivering against savings targets, proactively managing demand, supporting strategic sourcing needs, and overseeing supplier performance. You will also drive innovative activities that support business priorities and provide market insights and category expertise to global and regional teams. This position is expected to fully embrace and role-model the Takeda Leadership Behaviors: Think Strategically, Inspire Others, Deliver Priorities, and Elevate Capabilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Category management and strategy execution

• Lead the development and implementation of the Category strategy at sub-category levels with support of the Procurement lead in alignment with organizational objectives, market dynamics and internal stakeholder needs

• Build trusted relationships with the appropriate stakeholders within the Global Real Estate and Facilities Organization and Fleet Center of Excellence.

• Provide specific sub-category input to inform wider category and Procurement targets and be responsible for the delivery of sub-category savings targets

• Develop and manage a project pipeline of initiatives and opportunities (including savings, productivity, risk management, technology and innovation) using internal and external benchmarking data and subject matter expertise.

• Lead strategic initiatives within the relevant sub-category (i.e. Category Councils, engagement guidelines, cash flow initiatives, risk management, etc.) ensuring alignment between sub-category activities and regional/global requirements.

• Lead interaction with Regional Category Managers and others to ensure alignment on category plan and support with the execution of regional category activities where required

• Collaborate with global and regional Procurement teams, Takeda Business Services, Legal and other functions to help execute effective category strategies including buying channels and negotiation strategies

• Establish and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers, ensuring effective communication, collaboration and alignment with organizational needs and expectations

• Accountable for contract negotiations on behalf of Takeda to secure favorable terms, pricing and service level agreements, while ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, including SOWs and other service agreements.

• Drive cost saving initiatives through strategic sourcing, competitive bidding, vendor consolidation and supply base management in line with procurement targets and KPIs

• Lead Supplier Relationship Management initiatives across the strategic supply base, reporting on supplier performance, embracing supplier led innovation (where appropriate), issuing constructive feedback and ensuring that any supplier performance risks and issues are resolved on a timely basis to end user satisfaction

• Champion Global Procurement’s values and initiatives including supplier diversity and sustainability across procurement, supporting functions and the wider Takeda business

Category-Specific Responsibilities (Fleet)

• Lead initiatives to improve fleet sustainability in partnership with the business (e.g., electrification, hybridization, eco-driving programs, or carbon footprint reduction) in alignment with Takeda’s environmental goals. Conduct country EV readiness assessments with Fleet CoE and EHS input.

• Manage relationships with fleet management service providers, including contract negotiation, service-level agreements (SLAs), and continuous process improvements.

• Drive vendor consolidation and standardization of fleet vehicles and services to simplify management, leverage global scale, and drive cost efficiencies.

Category-Specific Responsibilities (Utilities)

• Analyze global energy and utilities consumption across Takeda’s real estate portfolio, identifying opportunities for cost reduction and sustainability improvements.

• Develop and execute global energy procurement strategies, including renewable energy sourcing (PPAs, green power, RECs).

• Manage relationships with energy suppliers, brokers, and sustainability consultants.

• Keep abreast of changing regulatory environments related to energy purchasing, greenhouse gas emissions, and utility deregulation

• Support initiatives to reduce Takeda’s carbon footprint and utility expenses, supporting broader corporate ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) objectives.

• Oversee energy risk management practices (e.g., hedging, contract structuring, or price reviews) to mitigate exposure to price volatility.

Procurement Excellence

• In partnership with Procurement COE, leads the translation of the relevant sub-category strategy(s) into day-to-day buying activity for the regions through the development and maintenance of best practice buying channels, procurement content (pricing, terms, service catalogues, buying guides etc).

• Partner with budget holders and buyers within the region’s business to ensure a frictionless, rapid, and effective day-to-day buying experience.

• Work with suppliers to drive high quality statements of work through the creation of templates and standard ways of working

• Lead and facilitate discussions between category leadership, Global Procurement Center of Excellence, Takeda Business Services (TBS), Legal Operations, Finance, IT and other relevant stakeholders to drive process and systems improvements that create a better day to day buying experience for stakeholders and improves value realization by Takeda.

• Provide regular feedback to category managers on operational buying trends, leveraging all available date, to inform category strategy adjustments

Other activities

• Work to socialize procurement and category management best practices within the business (i.e. increased utilization of preferred suppliers, SoW optimization and the use of buying channels, etc.)

• Collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders, including business partners, Procurement CoE, Finance and Takeda Business Solutions to ensure alignment

• Promote collaboration, trust and respect among team members and the wider Takeda business

CAPABILITIES

• Strategic thinking (with the ability to multi-task, think critically and prioritize)

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, negotiation, and presentation skills

• Superior relationship-building skills and business partnering abilities

• Category strategy creation and execution

• Operational buying experience in the category

• Market and supplier knowledge

• Punctuality, accuracy, and the ability to meet deadlines

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, etc.

EXPERIENCE

• BA or BS required, MBA or Master’s Degree with Supply Chain/Procurement emphasis preferred

• 10 plus years strategic and operational procurement experience with extensive knowledge of category management and advanced strategic sourcing methodologies

• Experience working in the biotech/pharma industry, or other highly regulated industries, ideally with international matrixed organizations.

• Possess in-depth knowledge of Category Management, Operational Buying, and Supplier Relationship Management

• Strong sub-category expertise and proven sourcing track-record

• Exceptionally skilled at stakeholder management

• Experience in project and risk management

• Strong and proven negotiation, leadership and communication skills

• Proven Financial and Business Acumen

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Some business travel may be required.

• We offer a hybrid work environment, with a commitment of at least 8 days per month onsite in the Cambridge, MA office.

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:

Cambridge, MA

U.S. Base Salary Range:

$153,600.00 - $241,340.00

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. 

U.S. based employees may be eligible for short-term and/ or long-term incentives. U.S. based employees may be eligible to participate in medical, dental, vision insurance, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, a tuition reimbursement program, paid volunteer time off, company holidays, and well-being benefits, among others. U.S. based employees are also eligible to receive, per calendar year, up to 80 hours of sick time, and new hires are eligible to accrue up to 120 hours of paid vacation. 

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

Cambridge, MA

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time

Job Exempt

Yes

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