Sr Director, New Product Development

Join VitalPath in Maplewood as a Senior Director, New Product Development!

About VitalPath

VitalPath is a trusted contract manufacturing partner that delivers high-quality complex catheter solutions around the world that save lives and restore patient health and vital function. We strive to treat every product we design and manufacture to the highest level of quality and awareness that these products are going to be used inside of a patient, possibly even our own family members.

Our employees impassioned hard work and dedication are at the core of our success. Every function within our organization plays a crucial role in our mission and is deeply valued for its contribution to achieving our shared goals of quality, innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

As a fast-growing organization, we bring harmony and standardization across VitalPath with a strong vision in mind - We are one VitalPath. We embrace our diversity, celebrate each others success, support one another through change, and continue to grow as a high-performing organization. We aim to shape our corporate culture to enhance team member engagement, skills, and productivity so that VitalPath is an employer of choice. If you’re ready to contribute to groundbreaking medical advancements in a collaborative, fast paced environment, we invite you to apply and be part of our growth!

About The Position

The Senior Director, New Product Development will play a pivotal role in developing and shaping the future of our Engineering Team specifically and the business generally. They will be tasked with not only recruiting, retaining and nurturing top talent but also developing breakthrough medical products, implementing enterprise-wide business processes and leading a dynamic team to success. This role is a critical one in driving alignment and integration across the organization with specific core responsibilities including engaging with customers to establish clear technical expectations, leading the team to execute innovative complex catheter designs from concept to manufacturing transfer, and providing cross-functional leadership to ensure effective costing/quoting, scope management, program management, Phase-Gate process compliance and smooth and effective transfer-to-manufacturing. This is not a lead from behind the desk role, it requires a hands-on approach for both team leadership and overall execution.

Work Location/Schedule

• This position requires the employee to be onsite at our VitalPath Maplewood and New Hope, MN locations (primary location is Maplewood, MN).
• VitalPath does not offer relocation assistance for this position.
  
  

Responsibilities

• Pipeline Growth: Collaborate with Commercial Teams to identify and secure new business opportunities, leveraging your technical expertise and industry insights to support business growth and expand our market presence.
• Team Leadership: Lead the recruitment, development, and management of the NPD Engineering Team; fostering a culture of catheter expertise, customer collaboration, rapid response, successful development and design transfer into Operations.
• Culture: Further develop and maintain a culture of internal and external stakeholder collaboration.
• Training: Ensure the NPD Team has training necessary to excel at their jobs.
• Succession Planning: Coach and develop team members to ensure proper bench strength and succession planning.
• New Technology: Enhance VitalPath’s overall technical capability by seeking out and putting together a business case for new technologies and coordinating a Technology Roadmap which aligns with the strategic focus of the company.
• Product and Process development Excellence: Drive product and process development to align with internal (Phase-Gate) and external (ISO 13485) process guidelines and effectively address customer needs.
• Problem Solving: Engage and lead cross functional teams to address design, product and process requirements, utilizing effective planning and problem-solving methodologies and subject matter experts to optimize processes and outcomes.
• Design Transfer: Work cross functionally to ensure a smooth transfer of new products into Operations. This role is critical in ensuring the NPD Engineering Team does the necessary product and process development to enable a smooth Transfer-to-Manufacturing.
• All other duties as required.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Biomedical, Industrial, or other relevant Engineering required
• Minimum of 15 years working in a catheter or medical component development and manufacturing environment, with a focus on product and process design
• Minimum of 10 years supervision experience
• Experience in defining budgets and schedules for projects
• Firm understanding of process validation (IQ, OQ, PQ) strategy
• Experience with design controls, FDA regulation, GMP, GDP and QMS requirements
• Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills
• Travel as needed based on business needs
• Must be able to work with a microscope and sit and/or stand for an extended period of time
• Must be able to lift 25 pounds
  
  

Compensation Package

• The salary range for this position is $160,000 - $200,000 . The posted salary range complies with federal and local regulations and may vary based on factors such as market conditions, level of experience and training, education, certifications, as well as internal and external equity.
• This position is eligible to earn an annual performance bonus based on meeting VitalPath’s bonus performance plan.
  
  

Benefits

• Comprehensive, Low Cost Health and Dental Insurance Plans Available
• Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account with company contribution
• Short and Long Term Disability
• Supplemental insurances (short term disability, AD&D, life insurance, and more)
• Parental Leave
• Paid Time Off
• Minnesota Earned Sick & Safe Time
• Paid Holidays
• 401K with company match
• Opportunities for career growth and advancement