Head, Workforce and Capacity Optimization

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Job Description

About BioLife Plasma Services

BioLife Plasma Services, a subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., is an industry leader in the collection of high-quality plasma that is processed into life-saving plasma-based therapies. Some diseases can only be treated with medicines made with plasma. Since plasma can’t be made synthetically, many people rely on plasma donors to live healthier, happier lives. BioLife operates 220+ state-of-the-art plasma donation centers across the United States. Our employees are committed to improving the quality of life for patients and ensuring that the donation process is safe, easy, and rewarding for donors who want to make a difference. When you work at BioLife, you’ll feel good knowing what we do helps improve the lives of patients with rare diseases. While you focus on our donors, we’ll support you. We offer a purpose you can believe in, a team you can count on, opportunities for career growth, and a comprehensive benefits program, all in a fast-paced, friendly environment.

This position is currently classified as “hybrid” in accordance with Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy based in our Bannockburn, IL location (HQ).

OBJECTIVES/PURPOSE

As the Head, Workforce and Capacity Optimization, you will play a pivotal role in driving the strategic development and execution of initiatives that enhance our company's operational efficiency. You will develop and implement strategies, processes, tools, and technologies that enable plasma volume growth and cost improvements through optimized collection capacity and workforce management. Your leadership will be crucial in the success of our workforce optimization program, encompassing direct labor budgeting and forecasting, workforce planning, scheduling, reporting, and analytics.

Additionally, you will ensure productivity goals are achieved and cost improvements met by applying Industrial Engineering and process improvement tools and techniques. The success of this team is essential for the success of the broader Plasma-Derived Therapies (PDT) business unit.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Drive plasma volume growth and cost improvements through the strategic optimization of collection capacity and workforce management.
• Align workforce optimization initiatives with the company's overall business objectives.
• Strong ability to translate ideas into business strategies.
• Ability to communicate complex concepts simply and succinctly.
• Experience managing operations and developing staff.

Workforce Optimization Program

• Responsible for the strategy, budgeting, and forecasting of direct labor spend across 220+ plasma centers.
• Define and implement processes for intraday, short-term, and long-term labor planning.
• Develop and implement software solutions and tools for workforce management, supporting labor standards, labor forecasting, budgeting, scheduling, and reporting.

Productivity and Cost Improvements

• Lead improvements through data analysis, modeling, simulation, and the application of Industrial Engineering principles.
• Partner with the Transformation Management Office (TMO) in the development of business cases for Transformation initiatives.

Best Practices and Process Improvement

• Identify and deploy best practices and improved processes for labor optimization.
• Identify and address bottlenecks in the collection process to maximize capacity utilization.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to achieve cost savings and efficiency gains.

Metrics and Reporting

• Identify and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) to track and measure workforce and capacity optimization efforts.
• Partner with the Data, Digital, and Technology (DD&T) Team to ensure data accuracy and integrity in workforce planning and reporting.
• Develop solutions (dashboards, data visualizations, reports) for real-time operations performance assessment and agile decision-making.

Capacity and Utilization Planning

• Own capacity and utilization modeling and planning, developing methodology and tools for forecasting and optimization.
• Partner with data scientists, IT, and consultants to develop advanced analytical models and dashboards for operations management.

Team Management

• Lead and develop a team of professionals in workforce and capacity optimization.

Collaboration and Adaptability

• Build strong relationships with cross-functional teams to align workforce optimization efforts with business needs.
• Adjust quickly to changes in a fast-moving environment, ensuring alignment and effective communication across teams.

DIMENSIONS AND ASPECTS

Technical/Functional Expertise

• Extensive experience in labor measurement, cost improvement, labor forecasting, and budgeting.
• Ability to interpret and analyze performance and financial metrics.
• Experience developing cost/benefit analyses and business cases.
• Proficiency in SQL, Python, and R for data analysis and model development.
• Experience working with cloud-based data platforms.
• Expert level MS Excel skills, including advanced functions (e.g., Solver), data analysis, pivot tables, macros, and VBA (Visual Basic for Applications), and applicability of these features for developing and managing complex workforce models, automating processes, generating insightful reports, and supporting strategic decision-making.
• Proven data analysis background with the ability to transform analysis into insights, recommendations, and proposals for senior management.
• Proficiency with leading workforce management software such as SAP SuccessFactors, Workday, Kronos (UKG), ADP Workforce Now, Oracle HCM Cloud, and Ceridian DayForce, ensuring effective planning, scheduling, and optimization of workforce resources
• Experience with many types of simulation modeling (e.g., Monte Carlo, Agent-Based Models (ABMs), Discrete Event Simulation (DES), System Dynamics, Queueing Theory, etc.), and the application of advanced statistics and operations research techniques.
• Experience working with Power BI, Tableau, or other data visualization software.

Decision-making and Autonomy

• Recommend and propose strategies for workforce optimization.
• Forecast and budget direct labor spend across 220+ locations.
• Ability to interpret financial and performance data.

Interaction

• Partner with Operations, Finance, Marketing, Business Excellence, IT, Transformation Management Office (TMO), and other functions.
• Work with all levels in the business, up to senior leadership.
• Manage relationships with vendors and consultants.

Innovation

• Develop strategies for enhancing workforce management practices and tools.
• Research and recommend software solutions for workforce and capacity management.
• Continuously improve and evolve existing processes and tools.

Complexity

• Support all aspects of the plasma collection business and understand the impact on downstream operations.

EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

Required

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Research, Management Science, or a closely related field; or an MBA with an undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Research, Management Science, or a closely related field
• Experience leading workforce optimization.
• At least 10 years of experience in cost or efficiency improvement roles.
• Extremely strong interpersonal and collaboration skills. Ability to build cross-functional relationships to achieve results.
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills. Able to communicate effectively to all levels of the organization, including senior leadership.
• Very strong in learning agility and strategic thinking.
• Bring a growth mindset, curiosity, positivity, intuitive thinking, and a passion for excellence.

Preferred

• Experience leading workforce management in a multi-unit business.
• Experience in an FDA-regulated environment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Domestic travel required (up to 25%).

EEO Statement

Takeda is proud of 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.

BioLife Compensation and Benefits Summary

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EEO Statement

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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