Associate Director, Drug Product Manufacturing Science

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Job Description

About the role

As Associate Director, Drug Product Manufacturing Science & Technology, you will be Takeda's global subject matter expert for small-molecule drug product and packaging. You will lead how tablets, capsules, and injectable products are industrialized, transferred to internal sites and CMOs, and continuously improved across our global network. You will be at the interface of development, manufacturing, and regulatory, shaping robust, scalable processes and ensuring they are consistently applied worldwide to reliably supply medicines to patients.

How you will contribute

• Serve as the global expert for small-molecule oral solid dose (OSD) and/or parenteral drug product manufacturing technologies.

• Lead drug product manufacturing process characterization, including definition of critical process parameters and control strategies.

• Lead technology transfer of drug product and packaging processes to internal manufacturing sites and CMOs, ensuring smooth and compliant implementation.

• Lead or oversee validation of drug product and packaging processes in line with regulatory and Takeda standards.

• Act as part of rapid response teams to resolve complex manufacturing issues across local Operating Units, using data-driven root cause analysis and sustainable corrective actions.

• Drive strategies for continuous improvement of marketed (mature) drug products in the late phase of their lifecycle, improving robustness, yield, and efficiency.

• Shape and implement manufacturing strategies for key Takeda products across the internal network and CMOs, in close collaboration with Pharmaceutical Sciences and Operations.

• Ensure that process knowledge and best practices are systematically captured, shared, and leveraged across sites and functions within the Manufacturing Sciences and Technical Services network.

• Partner effectively with local Technical Services, site leadership, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Global Quality, Regulatory CMC, and other key functions to align on technical decisions and manage cross-functional issues.

What you bring to Takeda

• At least a Bachelor's or degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.

• Extensive industrial experience, including at least 5 years in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing.

• Deep expertise in drug product manufacturing technologies for oral solid dosage forms and/or injectable products, including proven experience with tech transfer, process characterization, and validation.

• Demonstrated experience acting as a subject matter expert in a matrix environment, influencing cross-functional and cross-site stakeholders.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a track record of independently making high-impact technical and operational decisions for complex manufacturing processes.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly and build alignment across technical and non-technical partners.

• Ability to focus on critical priorities, deliver consistent, high-quality results, and proactively build capabilities for the future across the network.

• Intellectual curiosity about technology and new ways of working, coupled with a collaborative and open mindset.

• Willingness to travel to our international manufacturing sites and work side-by-side with site teams on highly complex issues.

More about us:

At Takeda, we are transforming patient care through the development of novel specialty pharmaceuticals and best in class patient support programs. Takeda is a patient-focused company that will inspire and empower you to grow through life-changing work.

Certified as a Global Top Employer, Takeda offers stimulating careers, encourages innovation, and strives for excellence in everything we do. We foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace, in which our teams are united by an unwavering commitment to deliver Better Health and a Brighter Future to people around the world.

Empowering our people to shine:

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, or any other characteristic protected by law.

LocationsZurich, SwitzerlandAUT - Wien - Industriestrasse 67, BEL - Lessines, Bray, Ireland, Brooklyn Park, MN, CHE - Neuchatel, Grange Castle, Ireland, Hikari, Japan, IRL - Dublin - Baggot Street, Linz, Austria, Oranienburg, Germany, SGP - Singapore - Woodlands, USA - CA - Thousand Oaks - Rancho ConejoWorker TypeEmployeeWorker Sub-TypeRegularTime TypeFull time

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