Vice President, Head of Trade and Distribution (US Field Based)
Takeda
5 hours ago
On-site
Cambridge, MA
$259,000 - $407,000 USD yearly
Operations
This role can be field based in the US.
OBJECTIVES / PURPOSE
- Lead the USBU trade and bio and specialty distribution team (national specialty pharmacy and specialty distributor accounts) and manage trade and distribution for Takeda’s portfolio.
- Build and maintain relationships with national wholesale, distribution, specialty pharmacy, specialty distributor, bio distributor, and retail pharmacy decision makers to maximize revenue and core earnings.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure effective launches of new products and product line extensions through specialty channels.
- Ensure sales and marketing programs are implemented for national account customers and support steady product flow through the distribution system.
- Own USBU prescription pathway processes and stakeholders (e.g., pharmacy software providers, prescription switch companies, compendia, e Rx solutions, technology vendors, buying groups, purchasing consortiums).
- Manage DEA allocation for C II products; deliver agreed DoH targets; ensure accurate wholesaler fee payments; optimize commercial terms with wholesale/distribution partners.
- Lead Trade Operations, Customer Experience, DEA Policy, and Prescription Pathways (including communications, USBU operations, order management, and customer experience).
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop strategy and lead national wholesale, retail, specialty pharmacy, and specialty distributor accounts; drive revenue growth across 100+ critical accounts.
- Manage Authorized Generic (AG) partner relationships (terms, contracting, pull-through, volume/value/distribution/promo/merchandising objectives).
- Lead strategic account promotional programs, trade sales strategies, and new product launches; participate in key customer engagements.
- Cultivate executive-level customer relationships and negotiate contracts to optimize mutual value.
- Partner with Operations and channel partners for U.S. serialization requirements and distributor execution.
- Resolve deductions with Supply Chain and Finance (shortages, damages, returns, disputes).
- Build integrated cross-functional strategies with Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, Market Access, and Medical.
- Maximize revenue by monitoring ordering patterns to limit excessive inventory/investment buying.
- Explore value-added opportunities at major and specialty accounts.
- Own specialty distribution strategy, contracting, and direction across stakeholders.
- Represent Takeda at national customer meetings and industry conventions.
- Identify emerging health technology opportunities (e.g., EHRs, real-time benefits).
- Ensure DEA allocation and compliance for C II products.
TECHNICAL / FUNCTIONAL EXPERTISE
- Deep understanding of the pharmaceutical supply chain and financial relationships among manufacturers, distributors, and retail/specialty pharmacies.
- Strategic problem-solving; ability to manage complex customer relationships across wholesale and specialty channels.
- Strong trade sales, negotiation, and product knowledge.
- Working knowledge of Finance, Credit, Shipping, Customer Service, Marketing, and Materials Management.
- Experience across distribution and specialty pharmacy supported channels (including buy-and-bill).
- Financial acumen (resource allocation, budget management, strategic sourcing, P&L evaluation).
LEADERSHIP / SKILLS
- Lead complex organizations; manage competing priorities; inspire innovation.
- Anticipate industry changes and refine strategy.
- Synthesize complex information and communicate clearly in executive/time-sensitive settings.
- Track record of executive briefings and decision materials.
- People leadership skills (collaboration, credibility, inclusion).
DECISION MAKING AND AUTONOMY
- Exercise excellent judgment on complex business/public policy issues.
- Make highly complex decisions affecting the broader organization.
- Accountable for designing and implementing vision and strategy within scope.
INNOVATION / COMPLEXITY / INTERACTION
- Drive continuous improvement; challenge the status quo; implement process/system innovations.
- Operate in a highly complex, regulated environment across U.S. business units and Medical Affairs.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred (business, economics, health policy, or related).
- 12+ years healthcare experience, including 10+ years in trade and distribution leadership.
- Experience with both retail and specialty distribution and specialty pharmacy customers.
Benefits (as stated)
- U.S. based employees may be eligible for short-term and/or long-term incentives and health/retirement and other benefits (medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with match, disability, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteer time off, holidays, well-being benefits), plus up to 80 hours of sick time and up to 120 hours of paid vacation for new hires.
Application instructions
- By clicking the “Apply” button, you will commence the employment application process.
OBJECTIVES / PURPOSE
- Lead the USBU trade and bio and specialty distribution team (national specialty pharmacy and specialty distributor accounts) and manage trade and distribution for Takeda’s portfolio.
- Build and maintain relationships with national wholesale, distribution, specialty pharmacy, specialty distributor, bio distributor, and retail pharmacy decision makers to maximize revenue and core earnings.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure effective launches of new products and product line extensions through specialty channels.
- Ensure sales and marketing programs are implemented for national account customers and support steady product flow through the distribution system.
- Own USBU prescription pathway processes and stakeholders (e.g., pharmacy software providers, prescription switch companies, compendia, e Rx solutions, technology vendors, buying groups, purchasing consortiums).
- Manage DEA allocation for C II products; deliver agreed DoH targets; ensure accurate wholesaler fee payments; optimize commercial terms with wholesale/distribution partners.
- Lead Trade Operations, Customer Experience, DEA Policy, and Prescription Pathways (including communications, USBU operations, order management, and customer experience).
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop strategy and lead national wholesale, retail, specialty pharmacy, and specialty distributor accounts; drive revenue growth across 100+ critical accounts.
- Manage Authorized Generic (AG) partner relationships (terms, contracting, pull-through, volume/value/distribution/promo/merchandising objectives).
- Lead strategic account promotional programs, trade sales strategies, and new product launches; participate in key customer engagements.
- Cultivate executive-level customer relationships and negotiate contracts to optimize mutual value.
- Partner with Operations and channel partners for U.S. serialization requirements and distributor execution.
- Resolve deductions with Supply Chain and Finance (shortages, damages, returns, disputes).
- Build integrated cross-functional strategies with Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, Market Access, and Medical.
- Maximize revenue by monitoring ordering patterns to limit excessive inventory/investment buying.
- Explore value-added opportunities at major and specialty accounts.
- Own specialty distribution strategy, contracting, and direction across stakeholders.
- Represent Takeda at national customer meetings and industry conventions.
- Identify emerging health technology opportunities (e.g., EHRs, real-time benefits).
- Ensure DEA allocation and compliance for C II products.
TECHNICAL / FUNCTIONAL EXPERTISE
- Deep understanding of the pharmaceutical supply chain and financial relationships among manufacturers, distributors, and retail/specialty pharmacies.
- Strategic problem-solving; ability to manage complex customer relationships across wholesale and specialty channels.
- Strong trade sales, negotiation, and product knowledge.
- Working knowledge of Finance, Credit, Shipping, Customer Service, Marketing, and Materials Management.
- Experience across distribution and specialty pharmacy supported channels (including buy-and-bill).
- Financial acumen (resource allocation, budget management, strategic sourcing, P&L evaluation).
LEADERSHIP / SKILLS
- Lead complex organizations; manage competing priorities; inspire innovation.
- Anticipate industry changes and refine strategy.
- Synthesize complex information and communicate clearly in executive/time-sensitive settings.
- Track record of executive briefings and decision materials.
- People leadership skills (collaboration, credibility, inclusion).
DECISION MAKING AND AUTONOMY
- Exercise excellent judgment on complex business/public policy issues.
- Make highly complex decisions affecting the broader organization.
- Accountable for designing and implementing vision and strategy within scope.
INNOVATION / COMPLEXITY / INTERACTION
- Drive continuous improvement; challenge the status quo; implement process/system innovations.
- Operate in a highly complex, regulated environment across U.S. business units and Medical Affairs.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred (business, economics, health policy, or related).
- 12+ years healthcare experience, including 10+ years in trade and distribution leadership.
- Experience with both retail and specialty distribution and specialty pharmacy customers.
Benefits (as stated)
- U.S. based employees may be eligible for short-term and/or long-term incentives and health/retirement and other benefits (medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with match, disability, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteer time off, holidays, well-being benefits), plus up to 80 hours of sick time and up to 120 hours of paid vacation for new hires.
Application instructions
- By clicking the “Apply” button, you will commence the employment application process.