Sourcing Manager - Discovery Research
Takeda · Bengaluru
Job Description
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