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CDMO-CTO Management Strategy and Operations Director

Lexington, Massachusetts
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  • 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 R0168860 Date posted 11/24/2025 Location Lexington, Massachusetts

By clicking the “Apply” button, I understand that my employment application process with Takeda will commence and that the information I provide in my application will be processed in line with Takeda’s Privacy Notice and Terms of Use.  I further attest that all information I submit in my employment application is true to the best of my knowledge.

Job Description

CDMO-CTO Management Strategy and Operations Director

OBJECTIVES/PURPOSE:

The Strategy and Operations Director owns the alignment of the supply base to PharmSci’s short and long-term goals. The Director works to maximize our organization’s efficiency and effectiveness by standardizing our processes to manage external partners and the engagement of our internal stakeholders.  Works in close coordination and collaboration with CDMO-CTO Relationship Managers, the functions, and shared services (such as procurement, legal, and finance) to achieve Takeda’s objectives.

  • Support alignment of strategic supplier base with our network strategies, Future Fit, Digital Readiness, and Innovation needs working closely with each PharmSci R&D function (Drug Product & Device Development, Analytical Development, Biologics Process Development, Synthetic Molecules Process Development, and Program Leadership)
  • Develop and maintain CDMO-CTO Management’s Vendor Network Strategy through continuous governance and evaluation of performance, effectiveness and strategic fit of vendors selected.
  • Continually optimize and socialize CDMO-CTO Relationship Management operating model and standardize our supplier-centric processes to maximize our efficiencies with our engagements with internal stakeholders (PharmSci Technical functions, Legal, Finance, Procurement, and Global Manufacturing Services) and our strategic external suppliers.
  • Create and maintain necessary GXP documentation and trainings on operating model
  • Support the ongoing management and oversight of existing critical vendors including performance management, KPIs, business/financial risk evaluations, and governance

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

  • Represent CDMO Management on strategic initiatives such as clinical manufacturing site selection and capacity planning. Develop strategies to reduce the external manufacturing footprint by 10% year over year.
  • Align the global vendor network strategies across categories, regions and business functions (including but not limited to Global Manufacturing Services, Global Procurement, Global Clinical Supply Chain, Legal)
  • Develop a framework to capture network vendor performance through fit-for-purpose KPIs, translating to dashboards and operationalize a solution to enable continuous network optimization
  • Build and manage a strategic road map across People, Process and Systems to standardize work and improve efficiency across CDMO-CTO team and the wider PharmSci teams
  • Act as business process standardization and optimization SME. This includes: manage vendor governance meeting charters, templates and procedures;  create, update and maintain procedures and processes for CDMO-CTO Relationship Management; update and socialize CDMO-CTO team operating model;  update and optimize Site Selection process, inventory management etc.
  • Help identify, onboard, and then manage the business relationship of our new and existing strategic suppliers in line with functional and network strategies.
  • Establish a strategy to import CDMO data into Takeda’s data fabric to enable aspirational digital innovation
  • Build / drive an optimal usage of existing system solutions to allow centralized production visibility across the internal and external vendor base, ensure inventory compliance,  enable lot genealogy and provide an interface with finance, global clinical supply chain and technical functions.
  • Plan and maintain a rolling annual calendar of vendor governance meetings (Business Review Meetings – BRMS, Joint Steering Committees – JSC etc)  with CDMOs, CTOs and Medical Device suppliers  and support internal vendor network governance meetings as well as manage engagement at trade shows like DCAT and CHPI,
  • Provide support to Product Operating Model (POM) as required
  • Create and maintain standardized processes for site selection, vendor performance review and governance to be utilized by CDMO Relationship Managers and socialize within Pharm Sci
  • Serve on Pharmaceutical Sciences cross-functional workstreams as CDMO Management SME and represent teams responsibilities and strategies

CORE ELEMENTS RELATED TO THIS ROLE:

  • Establish strong relationships with team members and internal stakeholders to facilitate operating model awareness and consistency
  • Work closely with PharmSci Leads, Analytical development, Device Development Leads, , and other internal business partners (Procurement, Finance, Legal, Global Manufacturing Sciences) to proactively identify program / portfolio risks and develop robust mitigation and contingency plans
  • Proactively identify, action, or elevate internal and external supplier issues and conflicts in a professional and timely manner
  • Partner with Takeda stakeholders to select among existing or develop new CDMOs who can meet program requirements and augment Takeda’s internal or external manufacturing network capabilities
  • Establish clear and consistent supplier governance models to ensure clear lines of communication, meeting cadence, and escalation paths
  • Establish and support global network / supplier strategies that align with PharmSci R&D function needs and expectations, short and long term strategies
  • Ability to critically review, process and understand complex business challenges, provide potential solutions

EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

  • Bachelor Degree in Engineering, Biotechnology, Business or scientific field. MBA or Masters Degree preferred.
  • Minimum of 10-15 years relevant clinical/commercial drug, device, and/or combination product Pharmaceutical experience 

This position is currently classified as “hybrid” by Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy

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:

Lexington, MA

U.S. Base Salary Range:

$174,500.00 - $274,230.00


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

Lexington, MA

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time

Job Exempt

Yes

It 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.
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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

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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.

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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.

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About our location

Lexington, Massachusetts


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