Head of Innovation, Sustainability and Product Portfolio Governance (mfd)

Position Summary & Purpose of the role

Fresenius Medical Care is the global leader in dialysis care serving over 330000 patients across more than 4000 clinics. As part of our transformation strategy weve organized into three segments: Care Delivery Care Enablement and Value-Based Care.

Were currently hiring within INCENTER a key vertical of Care Enablement focused on delivering high-quality in-clinic dialysis treatments. INCENTER plays a vital role in driving innovation and improving patient outcomes through integrated MedTech solutions.

We are seeking a visionary and hands-on leader to drive transformative innovation sustainability and portfolio governance across our global product organization. As a cross-functional leader you will shape and accelerate the companys innovation pipeline and product portfolio aligning breakthrough ideation with medical and technical excellence and sustainable growth objectives.

You will lead and inspire cross-functional teams across R&D sustainability marketing regulatory clinical and commercial functions based on deep understanding of market needs and dynamics. You will ensure holistically that strategic innovation translates into tangible outcomes through structured yet agile portfolio governance while managing complexity across diverse stakeholders disciplines and this role you will ensure profitable market development based on solid business plans reflecting financial needs.

Join us in shaping the future of kidney care.

Key Responsibilities

• Innovation Leadership
  • Champion breakthrough innovation with a clear pathway from idea to market.
  • Facilitate ideation processes and cross-functional innovation sprints combining user-centric design sustainability and clinical insight.
  • Foster a culture of experimentation strategic risk-taking and structured innovation processes.
  • Request strategic partnerships with external innovation hubs academic institutions startups and industry consortia

• Product Portfolio Governance
  • Govern the global product development portfolio with transparency prioritization and strategic alignment.
  • Establish and manage robust governance processes for pipeline decision-making resource allocation and risk management.
  • Leverage data-driven insights to inform portfolio decisions and identify emerging market opportunities.
  • Ensure consistency between innovation strategy and portfolio execution across value streams & business units.
• Sustainability Integration
  • Embed sustainability targets into product innovation and development lifecycles.
  • Collaborate with ESG engineering and supply chain functions to drive sustainable design and materials usage.
  • Set and monitor innovation and sustainability KPIs ensuring alignment with financial targets and value creation objectives.
• Cross-Functional Leadership & Stakeholder Management
  • Align diverse internal and external stakeholders to shared innovation and sustainability goals.
  • Develop and implement change management strategies to embed innovation and sustainability mindsets across the organization.
  • Lead global interdisciplinary teams in a matrix environment with a balance of structure and flexibility.
  • Translate complex strategic objectives into actionable roadmaps and initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Engineering Life Sciences or related field.
• Extensive leadership experience in the medical device industry is essential with a strong track record in regulated environments such as medical technology or life sciences.
• Proven track record of driving innovation from ideation to product launch.
• Deep understanding of product development clinical needs sustainability principles and global healthcare markets.
• Strong strategic thinking paired with operational execution skills.
• Experience in portfolio management including governance frameworks and prioritization methods.
• Willingness to travel internationally is essential as this role involves direct engagement with our global sites and teams to foster alignment collaboration and impact across regions.

Key Success Factors

• Strategic Vision & Execution Ability to connect the long-term vision with hands-on leadership in implementation.
• Inspirational Leadership Capability to inspire and mobilize teams around complex future-facing objectives.
• Systems Thinking Navigates complex ecosystems and integrates inputs from diverse disciplines and cultures.
• Structured Agility Balances structured frameworks with adaptability to context and individuals.
• Technical & Clinical Acumen Speaks the language of engineers clinicians and sustainability experts alike.
• Communication Excellence Presents complex information clearly to senior executives and global stakeholders.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to shape the future of healthcare innovation at a global market leader.
• A highly collaborative mission-driven and innovative culture.
• This newly created greenfield leadership role within InCenter / Care Enablement offers a rare opportunity to shape and define the position from the ground up driving impact in one of our most critical verticals.
• Global exposure challenging assignments and high visibility.
• International travel opportunities to connect directly with our global sites and teams.
• A platform to make a tangible impact in advancing health sustainability and innovation.

Focus areas and key R&D and engineering locations include Ogden LArbresle Palazzo Pignano Schweinfurt and St. Wendel.