Associate Manager, R&D Contract Management

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Job Description

OBJECTIVES/PURPOSE

This global, business-facing contract delivery role, supports Takeda R&D teams to engage with external partners efficiently and compliantly, enabling research activities and supplier collaboration,

The role, based in Lodz, Poland, operates globally and requires strong organization and communication skills.

• Support the delivery of simple contracts, including Confidential Disclosure Agreements (CDAs), simple Statements of Work (SOWs), and related amendments, in alignment with Takeda policies and procedures.
• Manage purchase order (PO) management and transactional support activities, including invoice follow-up, record maintenance, and related system transactions.
• Manage supplier onboarding and supplier master data updates through applicable systems, ensuring accuracy and completeness of records.
• Partner with internal stakeholders across R&D, Procurement, Finance, Compliance, Quality, and Legal to support timely, compliant, and efficient contract and transaction processing.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Support the end-to-end processing of simple contracts, including CDAs, simple SOWs, and amendments, from intake through execution and closeout.
• Partner with R&D requestors to clarify business needs and gather required information for contract and transactional processing.
• Prepare, route, track, and maintain simple agreements using approved templates, systems, and workflows.
• Coordinate with Procurement, Legal, Finance, Compliance, Quality, and external parties, as needed, to support contract execution and issue resolution.
• Manage supplier onboarding and supplier updates in applicable systems, ensuring data accuracy and completeness.
• Manage purchase order creation, PO tracking, invoice reconciliation, accrual inputs, and other transactional activities related to contracts and supplier engagement.
• Maintain accurate contract, supplier, and transaction records in relevant systems and repositories.
• Ensure assigned activities are completed in compliance with Takeda policies, financial controls, quality requirements, and applicable healthcare compliance requirements.
• Identify routine process issues, escalate risks or exceptions appropriately, and recommend practical improvements to enhance efficiency and compliance.
• Provide reliable day-to-day support to internal stakeholders and contribute to a collaborative and service-oriented team environment

DIMENSIONS AND ASPECTS

Technical/Functional (Line) Expertise

• Excellent understanding of contracting requirements in line with Takeda policies and external regulations.
• Negotiation skills (internal and external facing)
• Foundational understanding of contract administration, procurement operations, and transactional support processes.
• Ability to manage simple contracts and routine transactions with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple activities simultaneously and follow through to completion.
• Good problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify issues, gather relevant information, and escalate when appropriate.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work across functions and geographies.
• Working knowledge of applicable systems and tools, such as Ariba, ServiceNow, Microsoft Office, and other contract or supplier management systems.
• Understanding of Takeda policies, standard processes, industry regulations, and compliance requirements relevant to contract and transaction support.

Leadership

• Demonstrates accountability and professionalism in day-to-day work.
• Communicates clearly and works effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Builds collaborative working relationships across functions and geographies.
• Supports team goals and contributes to a positive, inclusive, and service-oriented work environment.
• May provide informal guidance or support to less experienced colleagues on routine activities.
• Champion diversity.

Decision-making and Autonomy

• Exercises sound judgment in handling routine contract and transactional activities within established guidelines and procedures.
• Works independently on assigned tasks while seeking guidance on non-routine, higher-risk, or more complex issues.
• Escalates issues, risks, and exceptions in a timely manner to ensure compliant and efficient resolution.
• Supports implementation of decisions and process changes effectively and accurately

Interaction

• Works closely with R&D, Procurement, Finance, Compliance, Legal, Quality, and other internal stakeholders to support simple contract and transaction delivery.
• Interacts with external suppliers and partners, as needed, to support onboarding, documentation, and routine issue resolution.
• Builds effective working relationships and collaborates across Takeda functions and geographies.

Innovation

• Identifies opportunities to improve routine processes, data quality, and transaction efficiency.
• Contributes ideas to simplify work, improve user experience, and enhance compliance.
• Supports a culture of continuous improvement, learning, and inclusion.

Complexity

• Works in a global environment with multiple stakeholders, systems, and process requirements.
• Manages routine to moderately complex work within defined processes and escalates issues outside standard scope.
• Balances quality, compliance, timeliness, and customer service in day-to-day execution.

EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, law, procurement, or a related field preferred
• English proficiency essential, including the ability to work with English-language contractual and business documentation.
• Typically requires 5+ years of relevant experience in business operations, contract management, procurement operations or transactional support, preferably within the pharmaceutical industry or a similar regulatory environment.
• Experience supporting simple contracts, supplier onboarding, purchase order management, or related operational processes.
• Basic understanding of contract terms, contracting workflows, and procurement-related controls.
• Familiarity with healthcare compliance requirements and general contracting processes is preferred.
• Comfortable using systems and applications such as Ariba, ServiceNow, Microsoft Office, and other relevant business tools.
• Strong organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver accurate work in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a global matrix environment and collaborate across functions and geographies.
• Comfortable using technology applications including but not limited to Ariba, ServiceNow and Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and SharePoint), Power Bi and Power automate.
• Continuous improvement mindset, with the ability to identify routine process enhancements and support implementation.

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