About the role:
The Associate Director - Process Analytics Lead is responsible for leading process analytics method development and platform implementation across multiple programs and product types within Analytical Development. Shape high-throughput, fit-for-purpose analytical methods; support automation and robotics; and build standardized ways of working to improve productivity, data integrity, and execution consistency.
How you will contribute:
- Lead development, optimization, and sustainment of high-throughput analytical methods for process and product development across small molecule and biologic programs using phase-appropriate approaches and AQbD principles.
- Define standards, performance measures, and governance for method lifecycle management.
- Ensure transfer, training, and implementation into process development labs with clear documentation, troubleshooting plans, and ongoing support.
- Deliver platform roadmap with automated methods and end-to-end workflows with robotics where appropriate.
- Support vendor selection and management for automation and analytical platforms; drive cross-site standardization.
- Lead multi-year strategy and roadmaps for analytical development and automation; manage risks and value delivery.
- Modernize lab operations (sample/data management, instrument connectivity, workflow standardization, data traceability).
- Provide technical and people leadership (planning, prioritization, coaching, change adoption).
- Lead cross-functional workstreams and represent Analytical Development in governance forums.
What you bring to Takeda:
- Typically 8β12+ years of industry/lab experience in analytical development or process analytics with high-throughput methods and/or automation deployments.
- Degree in a relevant scientific/engineering field (Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering).
- Proven experience scaling automation solutions with measurable outcomes.
- Experience deploying robotics-enabled high-throughput analytical workflows, including transfer/validation, robustness, and R&D operational use.
- Strong analytical development strategy, standards, and governance (AQbD, performance measures).
- Ability to bridge high-throughput methods to GMP release and stability methods.
- People/matrix leadership experience; direct people management preferred.
- Ability to partner with and influence senior scientific stakeholders.
- Fluent in English; Japanese is a plus.
- Regulated environment experience is desirable; AI-assisted knowledge work under compliance constraints is desirable.