About the role
The Associate Director, Operational Excellence is a key leader in fostering a culture of continuous improvement and deploying Operational Excellence (OE) tools across the site. This role ensures that OE initiatives are strategically aligned with OpU objectives and executed in accordance with global standards. A critical contributor to the site master plan, the Associate Director embeds continuous improvement principles to optimize product flow and maximize value-added activities. They also lead the Operational Excellence program at the Covington facility, coordinating initiatives across workstreams such as Operational Excellence, Lab Excellence, Digital, End-to-End Supply Chain, Site/Network Development, and People, Culture, and Change. Additionally, this role promotes knowledge sharing across the Plasma network by disseminating best practices and adopting proven strategies from other sites.
How you will contribute
- Lead the Operational Excellence team (formerly known as the Operational Excellence team), driving strategic initiatives across multiple workstreams including Operational Excellence, Lab Excellence, Digital, End-to-End Supply Chain, Site/Network Development, and People, Culture, and Change.
- Own and manage the Operational Excellence program for the Covington facility, ensuring alignment with site strategy and business objectives.
- Champion a culture of continuous improvement by leading site-wide problem-solving efforts and developing lean capabilities at the operating team level.
- Facilitate and execute lean waste reduction initiatives through hands-on engagement with frontline teams.
- Oversee the nomination, training, mentoring, and certification of Lean and Six Sigma Green Belts and Black Belts, ensuring project alignment with key site priorities.
- Foster a data-driven culture by leveraging digital platforms to enhance predictability and performance in business processes.
- Ensure disciplined project execution by applying the DMAIC methodology with rigor and effectiveness, including phase gate reviews and milestone tracking.
- Set departmental goals and manage performance objectives for the Operational Excellence (OE) team.
- Deliver DMAIC training and facilitate cross-functional improvement teams.
- Represent the site by presenting project outcomes at company-wide forums, while effectively managing multiple priorities and initiatives.
What you bring to Takeda
- Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in science, engineering, or a related technical field.
- Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience, including at least 3 years in a management or leadership role.
- At least 3 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences industry is preferred.
- Lean/Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
- Strong negotiation, influencing, consulting, and facilitation capabilities.
- Proven interpersonal and coaching skills; self-motivated with a track record of delivering results.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and process mapping tools; experience with Minitab, cGMP, ISO 9001:2000, and FDA regulations is a plus.
- Demonstrated leadership and mentoring abilities with a focus on driving change and aligning teams to a shared vision.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and facilitation skills, along with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Strong organizational, project management, and interpersonal skills; knowledge of manufacturing processes, re-engineering strategies, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Ability to train and collaborate with employees at all levels; flexibility to work extended hours and various shifts as required.
- Ability to lift, push, pull, and carry up to 25 lbs as needed.
What Takeda can offer you:
- Comprehensive Healthcare: Medical, Dental, and Vision
- Financial Planning & Stability: 401(k) with company match and Annual Retirement Contribution Plan
- Health & Wellness programs including onsite flu shots and health screenings
- Generous time off for vacation and the option to purchase additional vacation days
- Community Outreach Programs and company match of charitable contributions
- Family Planning Support
- Flexible Work Paths
- Tuition reimbursement
Important Considerations
At Takeda, our patients rely on us to deliver quality products. As a result, we must follow strict rules in our manufacturing facilities to ensure we are not endangering the quality of the product. In this role, you may:
- Work in a controlled environment requiring special gowning and wear protective clothing over the head, face, hands, feet and body. This may include additional hearing protection for loud areas.
- Need to remove all make-up, jewelry, contact lenses, nail polish and/or artificial fingernails while in the manufacturing environment.
- Work in a cold, wet environment.
- Work multiple shifts, including weekends, or be asked to work supplemental hours, as necessary.
- Work around chemicals such as alcohol, acids, buffers and Celite that may require respiratory protection.
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.
This posting excludes Colorado applicants.
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, status as a Vietnam era veteran, special disabled veteran, or other protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, and any other characteristic protected by law.
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