Sourcing Manager - Discovery Research

Overview

Sourcing Manager for Discovery Research (R&D) within Takeda's Global Procurement function, leading end-to-end source-to-contract for defined spend thresholds with a focus on preclinical CROs, in vitro and in vivo services, DMPK, toxicology, chemistry and biologics discovery partners.

What you'll do

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for Discovery Research categories aligned with Global Category Manager direction and business needs.
• Identify and drive value levers (cost, demand, innovation, risk, ESG) and support Category Managers to drive value.
• Lead negotiations with suppliers, driving value and competitive advantage to Takeda.
• Take accountability and ownership of relationships with suppliers and stakeholders when managed by the value delivery team.
• Support scientific agility and speed to candidate selection while ensuring value, compliance and IP protection.
• Prepare sourcing events and align with Central Finance on RfX execution; maintain the project pipeline in Wave and drive continuous improvement against quality targets.
• 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.) and collaborate with business partners, Procurement CoE, Finance and Takeda Business Solutions.
• Support supplier selection decisions, segmentation and performance governance, and support strategic supplier relationships, escalating risks to Sourcing Lead.
• Implement and enforce standardized sourcing templates, playbooks and workflows; identify opportunities for automation with digital and AI.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks to ensure business continuity and patient supply security; develop contingency and alternative sourcing strategies.
• Lead negotiations and contract finalization for assigned sourcing events within defined thresholds, defining strategies using should-cost models and benchmarks, and ensuring alignment with Category Manager, Legal, Finance and risk frameworks.
• Support delivery of savings targets and value realization; contribute to supplier risk management and compliance; ensure alignment with Takeda procurement policies and governance standards; drive CI and performance management of KPIs.
• Collaborate with operational buyers in Central Finance on execution and service delivery, and ensure smooth handover of sourcing inputs and outputs for operational RfX execution.
• Lead sourcing for discovery and preclinical services including medicinal and synthetic chemistry, screening, in vitro/in vivo pharmacology, DMPK, GLP toxicology and bioanalysis; source 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 supporting fast-changing scientific priorities.
• Ensure compliance with GLP, animal welfare (AAALAC/IACUC), biosafety and export control requirements.

What you'll need

• Bachelor degree in relevant field.
• 12+ years of experience in procurement, sourcing, or shared services.
• 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.
• 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.
• Exceptionally skilled at stakeholder management; proven ability to manage senior, cross-functional stakeholders.
• Collaborative and diplomatic, with track record of operating successfully with limited day-to-day direction and ambiguity.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Exceptional oral and written communication and presentation skills.
• Extensive experience using Microsoft desktop applications (e.g. PowerPoint, Excel) and experienced with using Generative / Agentic AI.
• Fluent written and spoken English.

Nice to have

• Experience with indirect categories.
• Experience working in a complex global environment.

Details

• Location: IND - Bengaluru.
• Worker type: Employee; sub-type Regular.
• Time type: Full time.