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Associate Director or Manager, Process Excellence, Site Management & Operations, GLR

Fujisawa, Kanagawa
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  • Job Type: Full Time
  • Job Level: Senior
  • Travel: Minimal (if any)

Takeda has been translating science into breakthrough medicines for 240 years. Every step of the way, our teams have worked together to tackle some of the most challenging problems in drug discovery and development. Today, we’re a driving force behind innovative therapies that make a lasting difference to millions of patients around the world.

In R&D, all of our history and potential comes together in an environment that welcomes diversity of thought and amplifies every voice. Working closely with colleagues, you’ll play a key role in bringing our rich pipeline of products forward to help patients. Come join a team that’s earned trust for more than two centuries, and find out how advancing transformative therapies at Takeda will shape your bright future.

Job ID R0159835 Date posted 08/19/2025 Location Fujisawa, Kanagawa

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Job Description

Please note this job requires native level Japanese language command not only in speaking, business writing and reading.

タケダの紹介

タケダでは常に患者さんを中心に考え、世界中の人々により健やかで輝かしい未来をお届けすることを目指してきました。そして従業員一人ひとりにそれぞれの能力と熱意に応じた成長の機会を提供することにも組んで取り組んでいます。私たちと一緒に、世界中の人々のいのちに貢献し、さらなる成長と活躍を目指しませんか。

タケダは国内第一の製薬企業、そして業界を牽引するグローバルリーダーです。従業員は四つの優先順位(患者さん中心、社会との信頼関係構築、レピュテーションの向上、事業の発展)とタケダイズム(誠実=公正・正直・不屈)のもと一致団結しています。タケダイズムは私たちの信念であり正しい方向へ導く羅針盤です。私たちは日々の業務においてタケダイズムを体現しています。

Takeda is unwavering in our commitment to patients. With the patient at the center of everything we do, we continue to innovate and drive changes that will better their lives - we’re looking for like-minded professionals to join us.

Takeda is the number one pharmaceutical company in Japan and a global industry leader –we are united by our four priorities (Patients, Trust, Reputation, and Business) and our shared values of Takeda-ism: Integrity, Fairness, Honesty, and Perseverance. Takeda-ism is more than just a word. It’s a belief and a mindset which guides our decisions, behaviors, and interactions. It’s how we strive to work and live, every day.

OBJECTIVES/PURPOSE

•    Visualize, standardize, and optimize the R&D administrations across supported business areas by identifying improvement opportunities and designing efficient workflows that drive process excellence.
•    Conduct As-Is and To-Be process analysis to propose and implement actionable improvements, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and operational realities.
•    Leverage digital tools such as Microsoft 365 and Power Platform to develop, maintain, and continuously enhance streamlined and scalable processes that improve productivity and transparency.
•    Facilitate cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder alignment to ensure smooth implementation of process changes and promote a culture of continuous improvement.

•    部門横断的なR&D管理業務を可視化・標準化・最適化し、改善の機会を特定して、プロセスエクセレンスを推進する効率的なビジネスワークフローを設計する
•    現状(As-Is)とあるべき姿(To-Be)を分析し、組織目標と業務実態に整合した実行可能な改善策を提案・導入する
•    Microsoft 365やPower Platformなどのデジタルツールを活用し生産性と透明性を向上させ、効率的かつ拡張可能なプロセスを構築維持し、継続的に改善する
•    部門横断的な連携とステークホルダーの合意形成を促進し、プロセス変更の円滑な導入と継続的改善の文化醸成を図る

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Our mission is to contribute to building a safe, autonomous, and effortlessly productive environment where R&D Japan employees can focus on their projects and research work, by providing operational processes and site management guidelines as a platform that supports research and development activities.

In this role, you will be responsible for the following key areas:

•    Operational Process Optimization
Visualize operations across each business area supported by SMO, identify opportunities for improvement, and streamline processes to achieve process excellence.

•    Digital Tool Development and Management
Design, develop and manage digital tools using Microsoft Office 365 and Power Platform to enhance operational efficiency.
•    Outsourcing Transition
Identify outsourcing opportunities within existing processes, define detailed procedures, and ensure a smooth transition to external partners.
•    Team Operations Support
Provide logistical and administrative support to ensure the smooth day-to-day functioning of the SMO team, including coordination of internal initiatives and documentation.


私たちのミッションは、R&D Japanの社員がプロジェクトや研究業務に集中できるよう、業務プロセスやサイト管理ガイドラインをプラットフォームとして提供することで、安全で自律的、生産性の高い環境を構築することです。
本ポジションにおいては、以下の主要領域を担当します。
•    Operational Process Optimization
SMOが支援する各事業領域における業務を可視化し、改善の機会を特定して、プロセスエクセレンスの実現に向けて業務を効率化します
•    Digital Tool Development and Management
Microsoft Office 365およびPower Platformを活用して、業務効率を向上させるデジタルツールを設計・開発・管理します
•    Outsourcing Transition
既存プロセスの中でアウトソーシングの機会を特定し、詳細な手順を定義したうえで、外部パートナーへの円滑な移行を実現します
•    Team Operations Support
SMOチームの日々の円滑な運営を支えるため、ロジスティクスおよび管理業務を提供し、社内イニシアチブや文書管理などの調整を行います


EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

•    MBA and BS/BA degree in a relevant discipline are required.
•    Demonstrated expertise in R&D, Strategy, Operations, Finance and Project Management with a proven track record of driving cross-functional initiatives
•    5+ years of experience in project management or leading business process redesign, optimization, business analytics (experience in system implementation project is preferred).
•    3+ years of experience in back-office operations within R&D functions of a manufacturing industry (pharmaceutical industry preferred) and/or 3+ years of experience business process reengineering
•    3+ years of end-to-end project experience in digitalization or system implementation, covering the full lifecycle from requirements definition to deployment.
•    Proven strategic thinker with business improvement record.Ability to work effectively in global and cross-cultural environments, navigating diverse perspectives and fostering collaboration.
•    Excellent organizational, operational, and communication skills.
•    Native-level proficiency in Japanese and fluency in English is essential. 
•    Solid understanding of the pharmaceutical industry, including its regulatory and operational landscape.

•    [必須] 関連分野における修士号(MBA)または学士号(BS/BA)
•    [必須] R&D、戦略、オペレーション、財務、プロジェクトマネジメントにおける専門性、部門横断的なイニシアチブ推進の経験
•    [望ましい]プロジェクトマネジメントまたは業務プロセスの再設計・最適化・ビジネス分析における5年以上の経験(システム導入プロジェクトの経験があると尚可)
•    [望ましい] 製造業(製薬業界が望ましい)のR&D部門におけるバックオフィス業務、または業務プロセス改革・改善において3年以上の経験
•    [望ましい] 要件定義から導入までのライフサイクル全体をカバーする、エンドツーエンドのデジタル化またはシステム導入プロジェクトにおける3年以上の経験
•    戦略的思考力を備え、業務改善の実績があり、グローバルかつ多文化環境で効果的に業務を遂行し、多様な視点を調整しながら協働できる能力
•    優れた組織運営力、業務遂行力、コミュニケーション能力
•    [必須] ネイティブレベルの日本語、ビジネスコミュニケーションレベルの英語コミュニケーション能力
•    規制や業務環境を含む製薬業界全般に関する理解

CORE ELEMENTS RELATED TO THIS ROLE

•    Ability to plan and execute initiatives effectively, including task scheduling, milestone tracking, and issue/risk management to ensure timely and quality delivery. Also requires an expertise to translate the business requirements into high-level system design as well as fundamental understanding of data modeling, database design, low-code application development.
•    In addition, the role demands a strong capability to visualize, standardize, and optimize operational processes across SMO-supported business areas. Candidates should be adept at conducting As-Is/To-Be analysis, identifying improvement opportunities, and implementing scalable solutions using digital tools such as Microsoft 365 and Power Platform.
•    Success in this position also hinges on the ability to facilitate cross-functional collaboration, navigate complex stakeholder environments, and respond with agility to organizational and operational changes. A proactive mindset and a commitment to contributing to team growth and long-term organizational excellence are essential.


•    タスクのスケジューリング、マイルストーンの追跡、課題・リスク管理などを含むイニシアチブの計画と実行を効果的に行い、納期と品質を確保する能力。また、ビジネス要件を高レベルのシステム設計に落とし込む専門性、およびデータモデリング、データベース設計、ローコードアプリケーション開発に関する基本的な理解が求められます。
•    さらにこの役割では、SMOが支援する各事業領域における業務プロセスを可視化・標準化・最適化する強力な能力が必要です。As-Is/To-Be分析を実施し、改善機会を特定し、Microsoft 365やPower Platformなどのデジタルツールを活用してスケーラブルなソリューションを実装できることが求められます。
•    このポジションで成功するためには、部門横断的な連携を促進し、複雑なステークホルダー環境をうまくナビゲートし、組織や業務の変化に柔軟に対応する能力も不可欠です。プロアクティブな姿勢と、チームの成長および長期的な組織の卓越性への貢献意欲が重要です。

タケダのダイバーシティ&インクルージョン

Empowering Our People to Shine

Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary:

  • Allowances: Commutation, Housing, Overtime Work etc.

  • Salary Increase: Annually, Bonus Payment: Twice a year

  • Working Hours: Headquarters (Osaka/ Tokyo) 9:00-17:30, Production Sites (Osaka/ Yamaguchi) 8:00-16:45, (Narita) 8:30-17:15, Research Site (Kanagawa) 9:00-17:45

  • Holidays: Saturdays, Sundays, National Holidays, May Day, Year-End Holidays etc. (approx. 123 days in a year)

  • Paid Leaves: Annual Paid Leave, Special Paid Leave, Sick Leave, Family Support Leave, Maternity Leave, Childcare Leave, Family Nursing Leave.

  • Flexible Work Styles: Flextime, Telework

  • Benefits: Social Insurance, Retirement and Corporate Pension, Employee Stock Ownership Program, etc.

Important Notice concerning working conditions:

  • It is possible the job scope may change at the company’s discretion.

  • It is possible the department and workplace may change at the company’s discretion.

Locations

Fujisawa, Japan

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time
Apply Now
During my 20-year journey here, I’ve been fully supported by my colleagues, and I can’t say enough about our rich internal talent and the long-standing values that drive our decisions as we work to develop important medicines for the patients we serve.

Doug Coffman - Head, R&D Asset Transition & Integration Office, R&D Regional & Business Operations

When making any type of decision, the first thing we ask is 'how will this impact patients?’ Ultimately, we’re laser focused on the best interests of the patient, and I truly believe we follow through on that.

Meredith Culp - VP, Head of Neuroscience Therapeutic Area Strategy & Operations and Head of Global Development Integration Office

Our culture and shared values make us like a family here at Takeda. It doesn't feel like work when you're doing something you love with people you love, and when your outcome is really fantastic.

Alison Handley, Head, Center for External Innovation

The heart of our work

Shining a light on new perspectives

What we believe in

Our values of Takeda-ism are Integrity, Fairness, Honesty and Perseverance, with Integrity as the core. These are brought to life through actions based on Patient, Trust, Reputation and Business, in that order.

Our belief in putting people first extends beyond our patients — it includes their families and communities, as well as our Takeda colleagues and their families.

We are committed to embracing our differences, valuing different perspectives, and fostering a culture of respect, inclusiveness and empowerment.

Our embedded Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) strategy enables us to attract and retain exceptional talent, drives innovation, and helps address systemic inequalities in our communities.

  • Integrity

  • Fairness

  • Honesty

  • Perseverance

Working at Takeda

  • Inclusion

    Here, you will feel welcomed, respected, and valued as a vital contributor to our global team.
  • Collaboration

    A strong, borderless team, we strive together towards our priorities and inspiring mission.
  • Innovation

    Bold initiatives, continuous improvement, and creativity are at the heart of how we bring scientific breakthroughs from the lab to patients.
  • Top Workplace

    Recognized for our culture and way of working, we’re one of only 17 companies to receive Top Global Employer® status for 2024.
  • Work-Life

    Our people-first mission extends beyond patients to include their families, communities, and our own Takeda family.
  • Empowerment

    Through trust and respect, you will have genuine support from leaders, managers, and colleagues to do your best work.

We're Steadfast In Our Commitment to Four Key Imperatives

Patient


Responsibly translate science into highly innovative medicines and accelerate access to improve lives worldwide.

People


Create an exceptional people experience.

Planet


Protect our planet.

Data & Digital


Transform Takeda into the most trusted, data-driven, outcomes-based biopharmaceutical company.

Exterior of Takeda Building

About our location

Fujisawa, Kanagawa


View Map of Fujisawa, Kanagawa