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Operational Excellence Lead, Narita Site

Chiba, Chiba
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On the Global Manufacturing and Supply (GMS) team at Takeda, you’ll be part of a rapidly transforming industry that’s applying technology and data in new ways. Within our agile, innovative, people-centric organization, your work will matter every day as you use your skills to help us manufacture therapies for patients on our four platforms:

  • Small Molecules
  • Biologics
  • Plasma

As part of the GMS team, you'll have the opportunity to pursue unique experiences and build new skills, and you'll know that the work you do every day makes an impact — on our patients, our people, our planet, and on yourself.

Job ID R0170221 Date posted 12/26/2025 Location Chiba, Chiba

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Job Description

Please note this job requires business level Japanese in speaking, writing, and reading.

OBJECTIVES/PURPOSE

  • As a member of the Business Excellence (BE) team, lead the Operational Excellence (OE) team of OE Champions.
  • Responsible for the development of the site AGILE* roadmap with the Business Excellence Lead in close collaboration with QS&I.
  • Develop capabilities of OE Champions as the future leaders
  • Lead AGILE Waves at the site.
  • Collaborate across the Takeda network to adopt and share best practices
  • Be a champion of change at site/function
  • Involved in key initiatives as Site Leadership Team (SLT) member

*AGILE in GMSGQ (Global Manufacturing and Supply / Global Quality) is a continuous improvement approach used across global quality operations. It makes processes faster, reduces waste, and encourages teamwork. The goal is to adapt quickly and make small, steady improvements instead of big changes all at once

ACCOUNTABILITIES

A. Lead site AGILE program:

  • Lead implementation of AGILE waves at the site.
  • Build AGILE capabilities within the team and monitor the progress of OE Champions towards certification.
  • Provide technical coaching and support for the OE team.
  • Select new OE Champions to fill new vacancies within the team.
  • Support BE Lead in building the strong engagement of SLT and all site colleagues with the AGILE program through site boot camps/workshops/coaching initiatives.
  • Actively participate in the global AGILE program coordinated by the AGILE PMO
  • Collaborate with the Technical Training and PMO teams to provide aligned AGILE support to the site
  • Deliver the AGILE site roadmap through a series of waves, developing local capabilities at the site through each deployment.
  • Develop own capabilities in AGILE to provide appropriate guidance to the local team.

B. Collaboration:

  • Lead site AGILE team to be active contributors and adopters within the best practice network.

C. Site AGILE roadmap:

  • Maintain a balanced site roadmap detailing AGILE activities which will be executed in the fiscal year.
  • Ensure all AGILE workstreams are considered when creating roadmap and cross-workstream synergies are highlighted.
  • Ensure the roadmap is aligned with GMSGQ Japan strategy.
  • Ensure all OE Champions receive challenging assignments linked to their development within the AGILE wave deployments.

D. Coaching

  • Create appropriate AGILE capabilities at the site to deliver the AGILE roadmap utilizing the support from AGILE workstream as necessary.
  • Coach AGILE concepts and mindsets and behaviors across the organization, including Senior Leadership
  • Coach the OE championes to develop technical and soft skill competencies within the team

DIMENSIONS AND ASPECTS

Technical/Functional (Line) Expertise

  • Expertise in lean/six sigma to drive continuous improvement.
  • Knowledge of pharmaceutical operations
  • Strong Operational Excellence/Digital and Project Management capabilities
  • Solid knowledge of Bio-pharmaceutical manufacturing, quality, manufacturing operations, cGMPs, global regulatory or product development required
  • Excellent coaching experience
  • Proven record of delivery of results and colleague development

Leadership

  • Excellent communication abilities
  • Drives change and supports others in the change management process
  • Experienced people manager
  • Strong influencing skills

Decision-making and Autonomy

  • Delivers AGILE roadmap for the site
  • As a member of the BE team, communicates business decisions to AGILE team
  • Lead and participate in cross-functional teams to create value for Takeda as needed

Interaction

  • Interacts with all levels of the organization and collaborates strongly with the global OE team, QS&I, AGILE PMO, and other OE Leads
  • Develops strong relationships with key stakeholders across the Takeda network.

Innovation

  • Strong innovative mindset
  • Passionate about digital technology and advances site digital program
  • Identifies best practices, shares and adopts equally.

Complexity

  • Capable of operating across company culture

EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

  • Experience in operational improvement activities at a manufacturing plant is required, along with expertise in Lean and Six Sigma.
  • Bachelors degree in a technical field/business required, Advanced degree is preferred
  • At least four years of experience in a Quality, Supply Chain, or Operations environment required, three years of experience in bio/pharmaceuticals, biotechnology or life sciences industry is desired
  • Demonstrated passion for not accepting the status quo and self-driven to improve the business
  • Courage of conviction and open to critical feedback
  • A positive and resilient leader
  • Program management capabilities
  • Exceptional coaching, teaching, presentation (oral and written), and facilitation skills
  • Courage/experience to provide coaching/feedback to all levels of the organization including superiors
  • Excellent listening skills and emotional intelligence
  • Flexible and learning agile, demonstrating the ability to assimilate new knowledge and standards quickly
  • Business level of both English and Japanese skill and experience in verbal and written communications

Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary:

  • Allowances: Commutation, Housing, Overtime Work etc.

  • Salary Increase: Annually, Bonus Payment: Twice a year

  • Working Hours: Headquarters (Osaka/ Tokyo) 9:00-17:30, Production Sites (Osaka/ Yamaguchi) 8:00-16:45, (Narita) 8:30-17:15, Research Site (Kanagawa) 9:00-17:45

  • Holidays: Saturdays, Sundays, National Holidays, May Day, Year-End Holidays etc. (approx. 123 days in a year)

  • Paid Leaves: Annual Paid Leave, Special Paid Leave, Sick Leave, Family Support Leave, Maternity Leave, Childcare Leave, Family Nursing Leave.

  • Flexible Work Styles: Flextime, Telework

  • Benefits: Social Insurance, Retirement and Corporate Pension, Employee Stock Ownership Program, etc.

Important Notice concerning working conditions:

  • It is possible the job scope may change at the company’s discretion.

  • It is possible the department and workplace may change at the company’s discretion.

Locations

JPN - Chiba - Narita Plant

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time
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