Operational Excellence Champion ( FTC 9 Months)

About the Role:

A 9-month fixed-term offering candidates a chance to grow their Lean and Agile skills, lead impactful projects, and boost their career development.

As an Operational Excellence Champion, you will play a key role in deploying Takeda’s eAGILE Operating System (AOS) at site level. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to identify, support, and drive value creation initiatives aligned with site strategy. In this role, you’ll actively support digital transformation, Lean thinking, and continuous improvement to help build a future-ready operation.

Key Responsibilities:

eAGILE AOS Deployment & Value Creation:

• Establish a common understanding of the eAGILE Operating System (AOS) across the site.
• Collaborate with workstream leads and owners to assess key programs for deployment and local relevance.
• Support the Senior Operational Excellence Champion in the implementation of AOS elements at site level.
• Participate in the site strategy deployment process and help translate strategy into a clear value creation roadmap.
• Evaluate all project proposals for value creation potential, ensuring KPIs (baseline, plan, and actuals) are aligned with local finance.
• Drive delivery of the value creation roadmap by managing the overall project portfolio and leading selected value creation projects.
• Apply change management tools from the e3+ framework to support transformation efforts.
• Ensure all value creation projects are tracked in the SPOT system and report on performance monthly.
• Continuously build own capabilities in Operational Excellence through structured curricula.

Digital, Data & Technology (DD&T):

• Act as an advocate for digital and automation adoption throughout the value stream as part of the site’s DD&T community.

Factory of the Future (FofF / FnoF):

• Develop expertise in Lean Value Stream Mapping and Business Process Management to support transformation initiatives.
• Participate in Factory of the Future programs, including roadmap development, design sprints, project evaluation, prioritization, and execution.

Collaboration & Continuous Learning:

• Work closely with local finance to develop financial acumen and validate value creation targets, forecasts, and results.
• Partner with OE and OCM coaches, site-level influencers, and above-site stakeholders to ensure alignment and impact.
• Collaborate with Site Business Excellence (BE) colleagues to co-develop the eAGILE AOS roadmap.
• Serve as a “new pair of eyes” by offering and receiving constructive feedback.
• Occasionally visit other sites to share, learn, and replicate best practices.
• Support and mentor other Operational Excellence Champions and Yellow Belts.
• Actively share best practises through eAGILE sharing tools and Community of Practice (CoP)

Dimensions and Aspects

Technical / Functional Expertise

• Strong understanding of bio-pharmaceutical operations.
• Logical, structured thinker with sound problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Skilled in project/program management and implementation.

Leadership

• Strong communicator able to influence and guide others through change.
• Supports others through the change management process.
• Aligns activities with vision, strategy, and business objectives.

Decision-Making and Autonomy

• Contributes to key decision-making related to eAGILE deployment; final decisions rest with Business Excellence.
• Develops decision-making capabilities and business acumen during the assignment.
• Responsible for developing structured problem-solving skills.

Interaction

• Engages with stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Builds effective relationships across Takeda’s global network and eAGILE ecosystem.
• Acts as a collaborative partner and integrator across functions and workstreams.

Innovation

• Demonstrates an inquisitive mindset and passion for innovation.
• Connects workstream activities to enhance the overall impact of eAGILE.
• Openly shares knowledge and learns from others.
• Embraces digital technology and seeks continuous improvement.

Complexity

• Comfortable operating in a global, culturally diverse, and matrixed environment.
• Adaptable and effective in complex and changing business contexts.
• English language proficiency (or willingness to develop proficiency) required.

Skills & qualifications required:

• Third-level degree in a Scientific or Engineering discipline.
• Demonstrated passion for challenging the status quo and improving business outcomes.
• Courage of conviction and openness to constructive feedback.
• Recognized for strong and consistent performance with a high learning agility.
• Natural leadership ability with a talent for networking and collaboration.
• Proven project management, facilitation, and organizational skills.
• Strong active listening and interpersonal communication abilities.

What you can look forward to with us:

• Competitive Salary: Including performance-based bonuses.
• Retirement Plan: Employer contributions to your retirement plan.
• Comprehensive Insurance: Employer-funded private medical insurance with dependants’ cover, life insurance, and flexible options like dental insurance, partner life insurance, and serious illness protection.
• Electric Charging Points: Available at parking locations.
• Employee Assistance Program: Support for personal and professional challenges.
• Wellbeing and Engagement: Dedicated teams to support your wellbeing.
• Family-Friendly Policies: Supportive policies for a balanced work-life.
• Generous Vacation: 26 vacation days plus additional days for service milestones and humanitarian volunteering leave.
• Development Opportunities: Coaching, mentoring, educational programs, and formal training.
• Subsidized Canteen: Enjoy meals at a reduced cost.
• Flexible Benefits: Options like fuel card, bike to work, commuter ticket, and insurance deals.

More about us:
At Takeda, we are transforming patient care through the development of novel specialty pharmaceuticals and best in class patient support programs. Takeda is a patient-focused company that will inspire and empower you to grow through life-changing work.
Certified as a Global Top Employer, Takeda offers stimulating careers, encourages innovation, and strives for excellence in everything we do. We foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace, in which our teams are united by an unwavering commitment to deliver Better Health and a Brighter Future to people around the world.

Empowering our people to shine:
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, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are interested in this opportunity, we look forward to receiving your application via our online tool!