Director, R&D Product Development

Position Summary

Lead the Mechanical Circulatory Support New Product Development team and MCS NPD Program within R&D, focusing on technical engineering excellence of detailed design across mechanical, electrical, software, hardware, and disposables functions
•    Ensure the health and vitality of our product portfolio by
o    leading other R&D leaders, team, and organizational partners to develop next generation capital/disposable product platform in the MCS franchise, addressing clinical and technology advancements
    leading organic technology-focused ideation and innovation
    leading evaluation of external/inorganic technology acquisition/partnerships
    identifying industry partners to de-risk development cycle and increase confidence
o    decreasing portfolio uncertainty as early as feasible by identifying and evaluating known technology building blocks’ fitness-for-purpose for inclusion in product development programs
o    delivering highly functional detailed designs for features, components, and assemblies that meet our customer requirements and performance specifications
o    continuously evaluating capability of designs to meet product specifications across the new product development lifecycle (i.e. that we are designing the product correctly)
o    identifying, leveraging, and developing technical core competencies
o    effectively and proactively managing resource capacity and allocation across the product development program to deliver designs per committed project schedules
o    leading both R&D functional team members, and program/project team members in creating, managing, and executing to the NPD program schedule and budget while delivering commitments on time  

Works in concert with R&D leaders across Design Development, Product Development, Process Development, Project Services, and Sustaining Engineering to
o    define and implement vision, culture, and development focus areas for the department and our people
o    fortify medical design device rigor, empower our team, drive accountability, and increase engagement
o    develop product and technology strategies – and guide the implementation of them – to maintain viable product portfolios that safeguard our reputation as the interventionalist’s partner in pioneering category-defining innovations while ensuring inclusion of feature, process, and technology improvements that address unmet needs and improve customer satisfaction and patient outcomes
o    maintain the health and stability of our product development process and our current technologies while identifying new technologies for application/integration into products
•    Manages experienced professional and/or specialist employees who exercise significant latitude and independence; often manages subordinate management.
•    Often heads more than one team, department, or function; often has employees at more than one site.
 

Principal Responsibilities

•    Directs a business-critical function through line or functional management levels where the scope and complexity of responsibilities require the integration of multiple disciplines and/or departments. Establishes strategy and direction in alignment with strategic plans established by executive leadership. Decisions and recommendations have a significant long-term impact on the division(s) or regional geographic area. Provides technical leadership in establishing both short- and long-term technology and product plans in support of business growth and profitability goals.
•    Leads their team to achieve stated strategic plan goals, annual operating plan goals, and functional goals in concert with other R&D leaders and the VP R&D. Continuously reviews department and project team progress and evaluates results accordingly. Independently plans, schedules, and conducts multiple projects. Operates with a significant amount of latitude and freedom to act; supervisory review/approval is required only on new project plans, or significant changes to existing plans. Within these minimal constraints, leads major projects; utilizes judgment to make trade-offs in resources, time, and technical issues to best accomplish project activities; plans entire projects from conceptual stages; selects suppliers and contributes to supplier technical improvements; develops and qualifies processes; develops, plans, and authorizes tests and approves test evaluations; directs and approves documentation and related drawings; oversees/approves troubleshooting resolutions.
•    Works to create a culture emphasizing safety and exemplifying Teleflex Core Values and culture
RESOURCE ALLOCATION
•    Works with internal departments to obtain necessary resources, resolve inter-departmental issues and contribute toward organizational objectives.
•    Creates and maintains effective operating mechanisms to manage department resources to assure that all resources are identified and prioritized; leads resolution of resource conflicts.
•    Determines team priorities to ensure meeting of agreed-upon commitments per organizational strategy.
•    Conducts project/team meetings as required to resolve issues, determine current status, provide information, and assign work.
•    Actively models and promotes effective communication between engineers, technicians, and other departments.
PEOPLE
•    Mentors and trains technical personnel (engineers, designers, technicians, etc.) to meet expectations of their job descriptions and to develop them technically and professionally; manages leveling of employees across job levels; actively supports employees in, and provides opportunities for, career path development.
•    Ensures the content, thoroughness and quality of the work generated by the department.
•    Maintains open communication with employees to ensure understanding of their needs.
•    Manages the selection, compensation, appraisal, feedback, training, and development processes within team to ensure optimum attraction, motivation, and retention of employees.
•    Sets goals and objectives for team and employees, provides direct feedback and appraisals
•    Ensure company policies and procedures are followed taking timely corrective action with the help of HR when necessary.
 

Education / Experience Requirements

Note: 75% of this job involves direct R&D activities
•    Bachelor's Degree required in an applicable field. Graduate degree preferred.
•    Ten years of relevant experience required.
•    Previous managerial experience leading multiple teams required.
 

Specialized Skills / Other Requirements

BUDGET
•    Creates, manages, evaluates, and operates within project and department operating and capital budgets; coordinates input and review of budget items from others on team. 
TECHNOLOGY
•    Actively promotes the development, integration, and acquisition of new technologies and processes in alignment with strategic plans established by executive leadership.
•    Promotes design and/or selection of equipment to reduce costs and improve quality.
•    May select and work with vendors.

•    Ability to independently manage and lead larger projects from inception to completion
•    Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel software
•    Strong working knowledge of processes and equipment common to medical device manufacturing; examples include additive manufacturing, machining, extrusion, injection molding, coating, adhesive and thermal bonding, etc.
•    Experience with and working knowledge of ISO9000, FDA and GMP requirements. 

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