Head of Oral Drug Products (Vice President)

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Job Description

OBJECTIVES/PURPOSE:

• Leads the global Oral Drug Product organization and delivery of oral drug product development from early phase through commercialization and lifecycle management.

• Sets strategy and builds capabilities for robust, scalable oral formulations and manufacturing processes, including tech transfer and process validation/PPQ readiness.

• Partners with PharmSci functions and key stakeholders (GSQ, Quality, Regulatory CMC, Commercial, R&D, Supply Chain) and external partners to deliver high-quality oral products.

ACCOUNTABILITIES: 

• Owns the global Oral Drug Product strategy and operating model to deliver phase-appropriate, scalable, and robust oral dosage forms across the pipeline and lifecycle.

• Accountable for oral drug product design and development from pre-formulation through clinical and commercial readiness, including selection of dosage form, excipients, and process pathway consistent with target product profile.

• Leads development of robust oral formulations and control strategies using QbD principles, including identification of CQAs, CPPs, design space (where appropriate), and lifecycle management plans.

• Oversees oral process development and scale-up (e.g., blending, granulation, compression, coating, encapsulation, hot-melt extrusion, spray drying, 3D/continuous manufacturing where applicable), including tech transfer to internal sites and/or CMOs through PPQ and commercialization.

• Accountable for CMC deliverables for global submissions (IND/CTA/NDA/MAA variations), ensuring high-quality module content, responses, and inspection readiness for oral drug products.

• Establishes platform approaches and standards for oral dosage forms (e.g., enabling formulations, pediatric/geriatric considerations, modified release strategies) to increase reuse and reduce cycle time.

• Drives science- and data-based selection and management of CMOs/CDMOs for oral products, including governance, performance, supply risk mitigation, and technical oversight.

• Partners effectively with Analytical, Drug Substance, Device (as needed), Regulatory CMC, Quality/GSQ, Supply Chain, and Commercial to assure robust product and process strategies through launch and beyond.

• Builds a high-performing global organization; develops talent, ensures appropriate resourcing across programs, and drives a culture of innovation, compliance, and continuous improvement.

DIMENSIONS AND ASPECTS:

Technical/Functional (Line) Expertise

• Deep expertise in oral solid dose and oral enabling technologies (BCS-driven strategy, solubility/permeability enhancement, amorphous dispersions, salt/co-crystal selection interface, lipid-based formulations where appropriate).

• Strong experience in oral pre-formulation and biopharmaceutics-facing formulation design (dissolution, supersaturation, precipitation risk, food effect considerations, IVIVC/biorelevant methods alignment).

• Demonstrated capability in oral process development, scale-up, and manufacturing science (unit operations, PAT, continuous manufacturing understanding, process robustness, control strategy).

• Experience with global GMP and oral product regulatory expectations, including CMC submission strategy, lifecycle management, and inspection readiness.

• Proven leadership in tech transfer to internal sites and CMOs, including process validation/PPQ execution and commercial troubleshooting.

• Knowledge of packaging/CCS considerations for oral products (e.g., blister vs bottle, moisture/oxygen/light protection, stability strategy alignment).

Leadership

• Strategic thinking, facilitative leadership.

• Executive leadership presence and confidence.

• Enterprise level leadership with the ability to inspire, motivate and drive results.

• Excellent communicator, able to persuasively convey both ideas and data, verbally and in writing.

• Ability to assemble and manage a diverse and high performing team.

• Demonstrated ability to lead teams across functions, regions and cultures.

• Ability to distill complex issues and ideas down to simple comprehensibility.

• Proven skills as leader who can engender credibility and confidence within and outside the company.

• Embraces and demonstrates a diversity and inclusion mindset and role models these behaviors for the organization.

Decision-making and Autonomy

• Broad decision-making responsibilities:

• Ability to make highly complex decisions that impact the enterprise.

• Ability to seek diverse input from multiple constituents and stakeholders to drive innovative solutions.

• Ability to incorporate feedback and ensure decisions are made transparently and swiftly to yield flawless execution.

• Accountable for designing and implementing vision and strategy for designated scope.

Interaction

• Effectively navigates the changing external and internal environment and leads others through change by creating and inspiring an engaging and inclusive workplace.

• Ability to effectively implement R&D’s partnership strategy.

• Effectively represent Takeda in high-level negotiations with the ability to resolve conflict in a constructive manner.

• Ability to build strong partnerships and drive role clarity with other interfacing Takeda functions, including but not limited to Pharmaceutical Sciences, GSQ, GPLS, and Regulatory CMC.

Innovation

• Visionary and forward thinking with the ability to influence and effectively drive organizational change and continuous innovation.

• Comfortable challenging the status quo and bringing forward innovative solutions.

• Ability to take risks implementing innovative solutions, accelerating time to market.

EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

• Bachelors degree in chemistry, biology, pharmacy, engineering or related pharmaceutical science and 25+ years relevant industry experience.

• Masters degree in chemistry, biology, pharmacy, engineering or related pharmaceutical science; 20+ years relevant industry experience.

• PhD in chemistry, biology, pharmacy, engineering or related pharmaceutical science; 15+ years relevant industry experience.

• Demonstrated people and program management skills, critical and out-of-the-box thinking ability.

• Demonstrated ability to anticipate issues and manage a team to proactively implement solutions.

• Experience in assuring the implementation of required quality processes and standards to facilitate smooth transition from product development to commercialization.

• Demonstrated expertise in writing regulatory documents.

• Understands the structure, functions, and methods of the global Takeda organization and overall Takeda R&D and Commercial operations.

• Excellent organizational and communication skills. Has the ability to influence at all levels of the organization and manage projects and initiatives across businesses and the globe.

• Demonstrated ability to negotiate difficult issues and arrive at mutually beneficial solutions.

• Ability to analyze a wide variety of information and data to make management decisions regarding potential risks associated with product quality and regulatory compliance.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and motivate a team of direct reports, build on strengths, and address areas for improvement.

• Proven record of building mutually-respectful relationships across global regions and companies in order to foster communication and achieve strategic goals.

At Takeda, we are transforming the pharmaceutical industry through our R&D-driven market leadership and being a values-led company. To do this, we empower our people to realize their potential through life-changing work. Takeda encourages and supports its employees by trainings, job rotations and mentoring. A balanced work – life ratio (recognition for work and family, company kindergarten) and numerous benefits (fitness center, cafeteria, etc.) complete our profile as a top employer.

We foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace, in which our global teams are united by an unwavering commitment to deliver Better Health and a Brighter Future to people around the world. Gender, age, skin color, background or sexual orientation play no role in this as we actively promote diversity. We equally address people with disabilities. In the course of a recruitment process which is as free of barriers as possible, we encourage you to mention all relevant information in this context in your application.

Motivated employees must be remunerated appropriately. The minimum annual salary for this important and responsible position is € 200.200 gross per year (full time). The actual remuneration package will be guided by your professional experience and your qualifications, so increased payment is possible.

Our employees benefit from an attractive range ofbenefitsdesigned to support their wellbeing and lifestyle. Benefit eligibility varies by position and can include, amongst others: Training and continuing education, health and sports programs, meal subsidies, Employee discounts, Group accident insurance,GlobalWellbeing Program, Employee Recognition Program, Employee Referral Program, regular company events, and much more.

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