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Group Manager, Vaccine Sterility Assurance Group

Hikari, Yamaguchi
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At Takeda, Quality has always been a priority for us, throughout our long history. Today, what we do in Global Quality touches every part of our diverse organization. It’s reflected in our end-to-end Quality Management System that encompasses R&D, Manufacturing & Distribution, Commercial, Vaccines and our BioLife Plasma collection network. When you’re a part of our team, you’ll do meaningful work that makes an impact on the lives of patients. Learn more about us and explore the opportunities to build a remarkable career.

Job ID R0161947 Date posted 11/05/2025 Location Hikari, Yamaguchi

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Job Description

OBJECTIVES/PURPOSE

  • Provide leadership of sterility assurance functions. Develops and deploys mid and long-term plan with KPIs and operational excellence, training/education, talent review and personnel develop-ment
  • Managing Sterility Assurance Group operations for vaccine manufacturing area
  • Managing a scientific strategy development of aceptic environmental monitoring
  • Ensure GMP and regulatory compliance including Pharmacopoeias and related guidelines (GMP ministerial guidance in Japan, ICH Q guidelines and so on.)
  • Enhance the collaboration among related functions in the site and organization
  • Achievement of defined plan with KPIs in order to drive the VBU and Hikari plant to reach operational and compliance excellence

ACCOUNTABILITIES

  • Provide the vision of responsible group and achieve related KPIs
  • Ensure talent development based on appropriate quality conversations and communications
  • Manage and create the current and mid term plan of resources for responsible group
  • Oversight environment monitoring activities and ensure the environmental condition in manufacturing area meeting current GMP requirements
  • Clarify the concepts and requirements of sterility assurance in vaccine operations and ensure sterility assurance of vaccine products  
  • Promote the collaboration work with the other function in Vaccine Quality, VBU, Hikari site and GQ organization
  • Maintain inspection / audit readiness with appropriate GMP compliance

DIMENSIONS AND ASPECTS

Technical/Functional (Line) Expertise

  • Knowledge of the local and international regulatory regulations including GxP, ICH, other related guidelines. (GMP ministerial guidance in Japan, ICH Q guidelines and M guidelines and so on.)
  • Knowledge in sterile product, aceptic process, sterilization process, parenteral technology, biologics and combination products.
  • Strong analytical and problem solving skills to make key decisions regarding potential risks associated with product quality or regulatory violations.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills in Japanese
  • Business level verbal and written communication skills in English
  • Adaptive communication and presentation skills to effectively reach different levels, including senior management.
  • Skilled in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Powerpoint, Word)
  • Experience/expertise with TrackWise Deviation/CAPA, Change Control Management (CCM), SAP and Electronic Information Management systems preferred.

Leadership

  • Strong leadership skills and demonstrated success in managing a team.
  • Strong interpersonal skills including ability to build authentic relationships, constructively challenge conventional thinking, egender trust, influence key stakeholders, cooperate as a team leader or team member, share information and deliver results with a team.
  • Adopt and exemplify the Takeda leadership behaviors throughout the GQ organization and Hikari Plant.
  • Must have the ability to act as a change agent as well as effectively lead and motivate team members to achieve team goals.

Decision-making and Autonomy

  • Must be able to deal with ambiguity, and make decisions under stressful conditions.
  • Great sense of urgency.
  • Agility to act

Interaction

  • Interacts with the Vaccine Quality Japan Head and all relevant site functions (e.g. VBU-Japan Manufaturing, GQ, EHS, HR, Finance, IT, Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, etc.)
  • Interacts with Global Quality functions and Regulatory Affairs, as well as local and global regulators.
  • Interacts frequently with subordinates, functional peers, and the Senior Leadership Team.

Innovation

  • Strong knowledge of Quality Risk Management principles.
  • Should be current in knowledge of state-of-the art processes and systems related to production as well as control of the products.
  • Identify and implement strategic opportunities to drive cost reductions/process improvements in site-business.
  • Lead and engage employees by initiatives of “Qualtiy Culture” to drive continuous improvements.

Complexity

  • Key stakeholders include but not limited to: VBU-Japan Manufacturing, Vaccine testing, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Hikari Site Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Distribution, IT, Manufacturing Sciences, Pharmacovigilance, Regulatory Affairs, and Health Authorities.

EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Pharmacy, Engineering, Biology or related discipline.
  • At least 5 years of management experience in the following areas in the pharmaceutical in-dustry: Quality assurance, Quality Control; understanding of the requirements for manufactur-ing, plant utilities, computer systems and project management.
  • In depth knowledge of applicable regulations and laws for medicinal products, such as FDA CFR, ICH, GMPs and guidelines.
  • Well-knowledge related to Manufacturing, Finance, EHS and HR (incl. Labor law)
  • Strong leadership skills (i.e. Communication, Coaching, Project Management, Decision Making, Problem Solving, Team building and etc.)
  • Business level of English skill is necessary (both verbal and written)

Preferred

  • License for pharmacist
  • Preferred to have experience in managing team with applicable EHS perspectives such as waste, waste water, exhaust gas, noise, GHG reduction, health, and safety.
  • Preferred to have experience in ISO 14001/45001 management system to carry out continuous improvement of site.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Some travels will be required.
  • This job description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position.

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

Hikari, Japan

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time
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