Director, Product and Market Strategy - NGS

About the role

The Director, Product and Market Strategy NGS leads strategic initiatives and product management efforts to drive global growth and innovation of Takara Bio’s Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) solutions. This role combines deep technical and domain expertise in NGS with cross-functional leadership to develop and execute market-driven product roadmaps aligned with corporate objectives and R&D capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Leads the full product lifecycle, including phase gate alignment, go-to-market planning, and tactical marketing execution, mainly for North America.
• Manages strategic partnerships, collaborations, and business ventures, negotiating contracts and tracking performance metrics to ensure sustained market growth and impact.
• Translates scientific and market insights into actionable strategies, enabling short- and long-term growth through targeted campaigns, development of sales enablement tools, and cross-functional initiatives that support commercialization and adoption of NGS technologies.
• Oversees a high-performing team of product managers to deliver customer-centric solutions that address real-world research challenges and deliver measurable value.
• Leverages the team's strengths to ensure that all aspects of product lifecycle management, including market research, NPVs, new product proposals, marketing requirements, go-to-market strategies, product launches, and sales enablement initiatives, are met according to stated deadlines.
• Works cross-functionally with Takara Bio Product Management, R&D, Operations, and commercial and executive teams to bring product roadmaps to life and implement corporate strategies that capitalize on Takara Bio's capabilities and technical strengths.
• Conducts product line reviews and post-launch assessments to optimize performance.
• Serves as domain knowledge expert for one or more related market areas, including current and possible future market trends, applications, information affecting the business, industry trends, competition, competitive environment, and marketplace strategy and tactics.
• Develops business cases and financial models for potential new growth opportunities (may include in-licensing, acquisitions, etc.) and presents to Senior Management to gain approval/Go-No-Go decision.
• Represents Takara Bio at industry events and technical meetings.
• Delivers market-focused training for internal teams and distributors.
• Analyzes campaign performance to improve ROI and explore new promotional channels.

Requirements

• Requires a BA or BS degree; MS and/or PhD considered favorably.
• A minimum of 18 years of experience in product marketing for life science or related markets, with a minimum of 10 years of experience managing a team of marketing professionals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated proficiency in presenting.
• Detailed and broad knowledge of the NGS scientific discipline, including techniques, applications, and competitors.
• Highly effective analytical, problem-solving, and judgment skills, with demonstrated ability to manage the work of other senior-level team members.
• Demonstrated success in developing product roadmaps and other business strategies to increase commercial growth/impact.
• Demonstrated ability to manage external partnerships/collaborations.
• Solid business acumen, understanding of product marketability, and how to design products that meet market requirements.
• Must be detail-oriented and have strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to think creatively.
• Collaborative team player who can build credibility and relationships across all functions and levels of the organization.
• Reputation as an emerging business leader with sustained performance and accomplishments.

Qualifications

• BA or BS degree; MS and/or PhD considered favorably.
• Minimum of 18 years of experience in product marketing for life science or related markets, with a minimum of 10 years of experience managing a team of marketing professionals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated proficiency in presenting.
• Detailed and broad knowledge of the NGS scientific discipline, including techniques, applications, and competitors.
• Highly effective analytical, problem-solving, and judgment skills, with demonstrated ability to manage the work of other senior-level team members.
• Demonstrated success in developing product roadmaps and other business strategies to increase commercial growth/impact.
• Demonstrated ability to manage external partnerships/collaborations.
• Solid business acumen, understanding of product marketability, and how to design products that meet market requirements.
• Detail-oriented and strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to think creatively.
• Collaborative team player who can build credibility and relationships across all functions and levels of the organization.
• Reputation as an emerging business leader with sustained performance and accomplishments.

Skills

• Product Management
• Market Strategy
• Business Development
• Collaboration
• Leadership
• Strategic Planning
• Market Research
• Financial Analysis
• Team Management
• Communication
• Technical Expertise in NGS

Benefits

Learn more about benefits at https://www.takarabio.com/about/careers/company-benefits.

Pay

The US base salary range for this full-time position, expected to be located in San Jose, CA, is $220,000 - $230,000 USD. This range may be modified at any time at our sole discretion. This base salary does not include additional bonus compensation and benefits.

Schedule

This is an onsite role located in San Jose, CA. Approximately 30% travel and some international travel may be required.