A company that provides opportunities of individual growth

“Science for a Better Life” is the motto that we at Bayer live by.  The mission statement of Bayer Yakuhin, Ltd. is to provide a stable supply of high-quality pharmaceuticals so that patients can lead better lives by manufactured products under rigorous quality control.  You may ask what goes into the execution of this mission.  When we speak of “quality,” the first thing that comes to mind is the quality of the products itself. Adequate quality cannot be ensured merely by inspecting the finished products.  It is said that quality is built into products over the course of the manufacturing process.  Only when we extend proper control beyond the manufacturing and inspection process, can we truly contribute to the improvement of patient QOL (Quality of Life) in regards to the shipping and storage conditions of raw materials and products.

The division to which I belong (Quality Assurance Division of the Corporate Quality Management) is to supervise these kinds of quality management systems.  When concluding quality agreements with manufacturers etc., it is necessary to create a clear and precise written embodiment of the management system that will build quality into the products.  We must also provide inspections that will check this quality management process and make improvements as necessary.  In particular, when working in collaboration with overseas manufacturing plants, it is important to understand the differences in language, culture and regulations, and this requires a huge amount of time and labor.  These activities require communication and negotiating skills. We must also strive to understand the provisions of the related pharmaceuticals affairs laws. the many new concepts that pop up one after another in this field.  In this regard, we must strive to continually excel and improve our effort in this industry.

My own career began with quality control work in the factory.  I was in the department that inspected and analyzed raw materials and the products we manufactured.  In analyzing, the operating procedures are documented in fine detail, and it is necessary to prepare a clear record of the analytical results and the operations that have been followed.  If there is an error in analysis, it can lead to an incorrect release or a rejection of the conforming products – both of which can result in major losses.  This is why the control standards for analytical precision are set at extremely high levels, and precise and accurate work is demanded.  Furthermore, I have also had the opportunity to learn about production technology and rationally designed processes first hand. This experience is obtained through the continued struggle to introduce the concept of validation into the production process.

Meanwhile, Bayer is a global corporation with headquarters in Germany, and this has meant that foreign regulations are an important consideration in our business.  I first became aware of this when I was put in charge of harmonizing quality testing procedures with an overseas manufacturing plant.  As each country has its own distinctive regulations, I had to explain the Japanese requirements, ascertain the scope for finding common ground, and prepare operating procedures that were based on solid rationales.  The activity required effective communication in English and from this time forward, it became necessary for me to conduct my work in accordance with the global criteria.

Applying for a job transfer under Bayer’s internal open recruiting system provided me with the opportunity to get my current position using this experience in the Manufacturing Division.  This system provides Bayer employees with a chance to launch a new and different career.  While I had the option of broadening my occupational horizons by trying my hand at a totally new type of work, I chose instead to meet the challenge of facing change while drawing upon the experience I had accumulated while working on the factory floor.  When applying for the new position, I consulted my superior.  Because Bayer maintains a system that provides opportunities for subordinates to talk about their careers with their superiors, I was able to discuss my application with my superior without hesitation.  I am grateful to him for giving me advice that supported my decision – not to mention for his guidance and the experience he allowed me to accumulate over the years.  Perhaps only in the corporate climate of Bayer would a superior be so supportive of a decision that might mean losing a subordinate.

Carrying out Bayer’s motto of “Science for a Better Life” involves many different kinds of effort.  To begin with, speed is essential in order to eliminate the “drug lag” that occurs when approval of new drugs lags behind patient’s demand.  In addition to exercising control over our production sites as they spread throughout the world, we must find ways of working in harmony with foreign regulations and anticipate changes in the business environment, such as corporate integration.  Responding to rapid change appropriately requires effort and a stance of “growth” and “contribution.” It means keeping the career plans of each individual in mind and not being satisfied with the status quo.  We at Bayer have ample support from the company in meeting the challenges of change.  Bayer Yakuhin, Ltd. provides a wide variety of opportunities through a variety of training programs which are both unique to Japan and common globally.  For me, this has been a good environment where my growth was supported by the company.  Bayer is the kind of company that gives you a chance and is looking for people who do not neglect to prepare and can continue to evolve by considering change as an opportunity for growth.