Sourcing Manager - Discovery Research

Location: IND - Bengaluru

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OBJECTIVES

• Main focus on R&D categories, specifically Discovery Research.
• Drive end-to-end Source-to-Contract process for defined categories spend thresholds.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies aligned with Global Category Manager direction and business needs.
• Identify and drive value levers (cost, demand, innovation, risk, ESG); support Category Managers to drive value.
• Lead negotiations with suppliers, driving value and competitive advantage to Takeda.
• Accountability and ownership on relationships with suppliers and stakeholders, when managed by the value delivery team.
• Primary anchor category: Discovery Research (R&D) - preclinical CROs, in vitro and in vivo services, DMPK, toxicology, chemistry and biologics discovery partners.
• Support scientific agility and speed to candidate selection while ensuring value, compliance and IP protection.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Sourcing Strategy & Execution

• Develop and own sourcing strategies for Discovery Research categories aligned with business priorities and category strategies
• Identify and drive value levers (cost, demand, innovation, risk, ESG)
• Prepare sourcing events and align with Central Finance on Rf(X) execution
• Maintain the project pipeline in Wave; drive continuous improvement against quality targets

Business Partnering & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as primary procurement interface for Research and Discovery Units, Preclinical Sciences, R&D Finance, Legal/IP and Biosafety in sourcing
• Challenge demand, specifications, and sourcing approaches constructively
• Socialize procurement best practices (preferred suppliers, SoW optimization, BuyEasy@Takeda etc.)
• Collaborate with business partners, Procurement CoE, Finance, and Takeda Business Solutions

Supplier & Market Management

Support supplier selection decisions, segmentation, and performance governance

Support strategic supplier relationships and escalate risks to Sourcing Lead

Standardization & Process Excellence

Implement and enforce standardized sourcing templates, playbooks, and workflows

Identify opportunities for automation with digital and AI for process optimization and simplification

Supplier & Risk Management

• Deliver value through supplier relationships, governance, and performance management across the Discovery Research portfolio managed by the value delivery team
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks to ensure business continuity and patient supply security
• Develop contingency plans and alternative sourcing strategies for applicable categories

Negotiation & Contracting

• Lead negotiations and contract finalization for assigned sourcing events within defined thresholds
• Define negotiation strategies using should-cost models and benchmarks
• Ensure alignment with Category Manager, Legal, Finance, and risk frameworks

Value Delivery & Governance

• Support delivery of savings targets and value realization (cost, demand, innovation, risk, ESG)
• Contribute to supplier risk management and compliance
• Ensure alignment with Takeda procurement policies and governance standards
• Drive CI and performance management of KPI’s
• Interface to Operational Procurement (Procurement Solutions)
• Collaboration with operational buyers in Central Finance on execution and service delivery
• Ensure smooth handover of sourcing inputs and outputs for operational Rf(X) execution

Category-Specific Expertise - Discovery Research (R&D)

• Lead sourcing for discovery and preclinical services: medicinal and synthetic chemistry, screening, in vitro/in vivo pharmacology, DMPK, GLP toxicology and bioanalysis.
• Source specialist capability including antibody and cell line development, CRISPR/gene editing, omics, structural biology and animal models.
• Structure FTE, fee-for-service and milestone-based agreements with clear IP ownership, publication and confidentiality provisions.
• Partner with Research leadership on flexible capacity models that support fast-changing scientific priorities.
• Ensure compliance with GLP, animal welfare (AAALAC/IACUC), biosafety and export control requirements.

EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

Education

Bachelor degree in relevant field

Behavioral

• As members of Global Procurement, you are expected to demonstrate ways of working that support our strategic ambition and shape how we create value for Takeda. You will contribute to a procurement function that:
• Shapes strategy upstream through close business partnership
• Deliver total enterprise value beyond savings
• Takes ownership of spend and outcomes end to end
• Uses curiosity, insights, and data to drive better decisions
• These principles define how we partner with the business, our suppliers, and each other. Role-specific examples of these behaviors are embedded throughout the objectives, accountability, and skills outlined in this job description.

Competencies and skills

Experience: 12+ years in procurement, sourcing, or shared services. Experience with indirect categories are preferrable

Technical skills

• In-depth knowledge of strategic sourcing with ability to leverage digital and AI improvements in ways of working
• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation experience; ability to define strategies using should-cost models and benchmarks for professional services and marketing spend
• Experience managing complex business stakeholders across Clinical Operations, Pharma Sciences, Finance, Legal, and Business Units
• Proficiency with SAP Ariba or equivalent eSourcing tools; experience with Wave pipeline management

Category-specific technical expertise - Discovery Research (R&D)

• Scientific literacy across discovery and preclinical workflows sufficient to challenge scope and evaluate technical proposals.
• Experience with FTE-based and milestone-based research contracting, and with IP, publication and background-IP terms.
• Awareness of GLP, animal welfare accreditation and biosafety/export control requirements.
• Experience working in a complex global environment preferred.
• Exceptionally skilled at stakeholder management.
• Proven ability to manage senior, cross-functional stakeholders.
• Collaborative and diplomatic, with demonstrated track record of operating successfully with limited day-to-day direction and ambiguity.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills both oral and written.
• Extensive experience using Microsoft desk top applications (e.g. PowerPoint, Excel) and experienced with using Generative / Agentic AI
• Languages: Fluent written and spoken English

Locations

IND - Bengaluru

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time