Vice President, Head of Trade and Distribution (US Field Based)

Takeda • Cambridge, MA

6h

About The Position

This role can be field based in the US. OBJECTIVES / PURPOSE Responsible for leadership of the USBU trade and bio and specialty distribution team, including national specialty pharmacy and specialty distributor accounts, and for managing trade and distribution for the complete Takeda portfolio of over $13 billion in sales. Establishes and maintains high level relationships with key decision makers at national wholesale, distribution, specialty pharmacy, specialty distributor, bio distributor, and retail pharmacy accounts to maximize revenue and core earnings. In deep collaboration with cross functional teams, drives and ensures effective launches of new products and product line extensions, including therapies distributed through specialty channels, to support sales force execution and customer readiness. Ensures sales and marketing programs are implemented for national account customers, including specialty accounts, and ensures a steady flow of goods from production through the distribution system to customers in support of marketing and sales program strategies. Owns USBU prescription pathway processes and stakeholders, including pharmacy software providers, prescription switch companies, compendia, e Rx solutions, technology vendors, pharmacy buying groups, and purchasing consortiums. Manages DEA allocation processes for C II products, delivery of agreed DoH targets across Takeda’s portfolio, accurate payment of wholesaler fees, and optimization of commercial terms with wholesale and distribution partners. Leads all non Account Director Trade & Distribution verticals, including Trade Operations, Customer Experience, DEA Policy, and Prescription Pathways, with responsibility for effective communications, USBU operations, order management, and customer experience across all Takeda products sold in the U.S. ($27.5B in annual sales). Stabilizes, harmonizes, and evolves the U.S. Customer Experience function into a best in class organization through innovation in talent, workflows, operations, and technology, following its transition to USBU ownership.

Requirements

• Deep understanding of the pharmaceutical supply chain and financial relationships among manufacturers, distributors, and retail and specialty pharmacies.
• Proven strategic problem solving skills and ability to manage complex customer relationships across wholesale and specialty channels.
• Strong trade sales, negotiating, and product knowledge capabilities.
• Working knowledge of Finance, Credit, Shipping, Customer Service, Marketing, and Materials Management functions.
• Experience across multiple market channels, including traditional distribution, specialty distribution, and specialty pharmacy supported markets, including medical benefit (buy and bill).
• Strong financial acumen, including resource allocation, budget management, strategic sourcing, and P&L evaluation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex organizations, manage competing priorities, and inspire innovation across teams.
• Ability to anticipate future industry changes and refine strategy accordingly.
• Proven capability to synthesize complex information and communicate clearly in executive and time sensitive environments.
• Track record of developing and delivering executive level briefings and decision materials.
• Strong people leadership skills, fostering collaboration, credibility, and inclusion.
• Exercises excellent judgment on complex business and public policy issues with enterprise level impact.
• Makes highly complex decisions affecting the broader organization, incorporating diverse inputs while enabling swift execution.
• Accountable for designing and implementing vision and strategy within the defined scope.
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to effective communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Builds high trust, collaborative relationships across functions and with external partners.
• Effectively navigates and leads through organizational and market change.
• Resolves conflict constructively and drives role clarity across interfaces.
• Forward thinking leader who challenges the status quo and drives continuous improvement.
• Willing to take calculated risks to accelerate execution and enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Identifies and implements process and systems innovations to improve team performance.
• Operates across all U.S. business units and Medical Affairs within a highly complex and regulated environment.
• 12+ years of healthcare experience, including 10+ years in trade and distribution leadership roles.
• Prior experience working with both retail and specialty distribution and specialty pharmacy customers.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in business, economics, health policy, or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategy and lead all national wholesale, retail, specialty pharmacy, and specialty distributor accounts, monitoring purchasing behavior, strengthening relationships, and driving revenue growth across more than 100 critical accounts.
• Manage Authorized Generic (AG) relationships with key partners, including negotiation of terms, contracting, pull through, and delivery against volume, value, distribution, promotional, and merchandising objectives.
• Lead the development of strategic account promotional programs, trade sales strategies, and new product launches, including direct participation in key customer engagements.
• Cultivate executive level relationships with customer decision makers to build strong, mutually beneficial partnerships and negotiate contracts that optimize mutual value and support Takeda’s growth agenda.
• Partner with Takeda Operations and channel partners to ensure leadership in U.S. serialization requirements and distributor execution.
• Work closely with Supply Chain and Finance to resolve deductions related to shortages, damages, returns, and disputes.
• Build strong cross functional partnerships with Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, Market Access, and Medical to develop integrated wholesale and specialty account strategies and ensure effective pull through at national accounts.
• Maximize revenue by limiting excessive inventory and investment buying through close monitoring of daily ordering patterns via automated systems.
• Explore value added opportunities at major accounts, including specialty accounts, that enhance Takeda’s enterprise level alliance positioning.
• Own all aspects of specialty distribution, including specialty pharmacy and specialty distributor account strategy, direct contracting, and communication of strategic direction across internal and external stakeholders.
• Represent Takeda at national customer meetings and industry conventions, developing strong personal and professional relationships with senior customer leadership.
• Identify opportunities related to emerging health technologies and serve as a center of excellence for electronic health records, real time benefits, and related innovations.
• Ensure appropriate DEA allocation and compliance for C II products.

Benefits

• U.S. based employees may be eligible to participate in medical, dental, vision insurance, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, a tuition reimbursement program, paid volunteer time off, company holidays, and well-being benefits, among others.
• U.S. based employees are also eligible to receive, per calendar year, up to 80 hours of sick time, and new hires are eligible to accrue up to 120 hours of paid vacation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees