Analytical Innovation & Technology Lead

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In this role, you will help shape the future of analytical technology across Takeda’s global Quality Control laboratories. You will play a key role in defining the long-term analytical technology strategy and multi-year roadmap, identifying emerging technologies that advance scientific innovation while supporting compliance, operational excellence, and business value.

Your work will contribute to building scalable, scientifically robust analytical capabilities that strengthen pharmaceutical quality and prepare laboratories for the future. You will partner across Quality, Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Research and Development, Regulatory, Engineering, Digital and Information Technology, Data Science, Procurement, and Supply Chain to advance innovation. You will also help connect Takeda with universities, technology providers, start-ups, and industry groups to identify emerging developments and strengthen analytical innovation across the organization.

• Global analytical technology strategy & vision: Define and own the global analytical technology strategy and future technology vision for QC laboratories, aligned to Takeda’s quality, manufacturing, and business strategy. The role is not responsible for QC site adoption or routine laboratory operations associated with the analytical technology strategy.
• Multi-year technology roadmap: Develop and maintain a multi-year analytical technology roadmap, sequencing innovation and deployment to keep the QC network at the scientific and digital frontier.
• Technology scouting & horizon scanning: Lead global technology scouting, horizon scanning, and scientific trend analysis to identify emerging and disruptive analytical technologies and evaluate their applicability to Takeda.
• Innovation pipeline & evaluation: Own the innovation pipeline — establishing technology-evaluation teams, proof-of-concept, and qualification pathways that move technologies from scouting to validated, deployable capability.
• Advanced & digital laboratory technologies: Drive the evaluation and adoption of advanced analytical, AI-enabled, and digital laboratory technologies — automation, robotics, PAT, rapid microbiological methods, spectroscopy, imaging, advanced sensors, digital twins, predictive analytics, and connected, cloud-enabled smart-laboratory ecosystems.
• Investment prioritisation & portfolio management: Prioritise technology investments and manage the innovation portfolio, developing robust business cases and quantifying return on investment and business value.
• Technology governance, standardisation & lifecycle: Establish technology governance, standardise analytical technologies across the global network, and own technology lifecycle management from introduction through obsolescence.
• Global deployment & transformation: Lead enterprise-wide technology transformation and Laboratory-of-the-Future programmes, ensuring scalable, compliant global deployment and realisation of targeted benefits.
• Product lifecycle & new product introduction support: Support product lifecycle management and new product introductions with fit-for-future analytical technology capability.
• External innovation & partnerships: Scout globally and build strategic partnerships with universities, technology suppliers, start-ups, and industry consortia; monitor regulatory expectations; and represent Takeda at scientific conferences and external forums.
• Innovation capability building: Build innovation capability across the organisation, leading scientific communities of practice and embedding a culture of technology foresight and experimentation.

• Leadership of global innovation programs & teams: Lead global innovation programs, cross-functional project teams, technology-evaluation teams, and strategic vendor relationships, managing complex stakeholder relationships across Quality, Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, Regulatory, Engineering, Digital & IT, Data Science, Procurement, and Supply Chain.

• Typically requires a minimum of 15+ years of pharma industry experience (quality, mfg, tech ops)
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in leading teams (preferably global teams) is required
• Science related degree is preferred
• Relevant managerial experience required
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Proven experience in implementing processes including building capabilities.
• Proven experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing support and governance at a site level.
• Knowledge and experience in bio-pharmaceutical technology.
• Profound knowledge and experience with Quality Management and systems in a regulated industry.

Base Salary Range:

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.

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