Robert Laird Email & Phone Number

United States

United States

Given additional responsibility for new product development for the Joint Replacement (knees, hips and shoulders) organization as Leading Member of the Platform Leadership Team. Responsible for identifying new opportunities and enriching the innovation strategy and product pipeline with emphasis on digital solutions. Significant importance placed on driving time to market and overall NPD efficiency. Manage Global R&D development teams including a staff of XXX in the US and UK. Hold P&L accountability for an $XXMM budget. ✔Significantly accelerated delivery on key launches of inflight projects by X-XX months resulting in X launches in the past X months.✔Initiated an internal and external collaboration to develop digitally-enabled soft tissue balancing for knee arthroplasty. ✔Currently developing an augmented reality system for hip and shoulder arthroplasty.

West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States

As Leading Member of the Platform Leadership Team, hold responsibility for new product development for the Trauma, CMF and Bio Materials organizations. Accountable for driving product and technology innovation strategy and execution, pipeline development, R&D activities, and product launches. Manage a global staff XXX in the US, Switzerland, Germany, Israel, and UK. Report to the Vice President of R&D with full P&L accountability for a $XXXMM budget.✔Effectively drive innovation, including product enhancements, next generation, and disruptive technologies. Successfully launched XX products in the last XX months capturing significant market share and exceeding sales goals.✔Grew pipeline value from less than $XXXMM to over $XB during tenure.✔Delivered significant launches including the advanced nailing system. ✔Launched first-to-market wearable deformity correction robot. ✔Created and led a time-to-market initiative to rework NPD process to reduce time-to-market from an average of XX months to XX. ✔Improved Diversity and Inclusion Culture scores to the highest in the DePuy Synthes organization by creating a culture team to identify engagement gaps. Set up focus groups and garnered feedback to make critical improvements. ✔Executive Sponsor for the African American Leadership Council Employee Resource Group) for Trauma and Joints. ✔Continuously ensure operational excellence while delivering products on-time and within budget.

One of three voting members on the Energy Global Management Board of the newly formed Energy Business Unit. Key participant in creating the overall business strategy and driving execution to said plan. Responsible for new product development of the Enseal and Harmonic business with emphasis on ensuring the R&D organization continued to build the necessary capabilities for the future. Provided leadership for a team of XXX people and managed talent development. Accountable for an annual budget of $XXMM. ✔Cut project execution time by XX% by creating a design-to-value initiative firmly focusing on locking down scope and key project deliverables prior to project initiation. ✔Implemented risk-based scheduling and Agile execution methodology.✔Created a hardware and software team to develop the next generation of energy capable devices. Led to the launch of a first-to-market harmonic tissue sealer capable of sealing up to 7mm vessels. ✔Launched microprocessor-controlled RF generator that supported advanced bipolar and harmonic technology.

Proactively recruited to manage new product development and post-acquisition integration for the Enseal product line for the $X.XB Energy Business. Responsible for working with a cross-functional team to ensure the Enseal pipeline was enriched and well executed with emphasis on pipeline execution and innovation strategy. Managed team of XX people and annual budget of $XXMM.✔Launched the first-to-market articulating advanced bipolar device.✔Successfully launched Enthicon Endo Surgery’s first large jaw tissue sealing device for open surgery.✔Led the integration of Enseal technology into Johnson & Johnson.

Initially hired by this medical device startup organization to resolve Enseal (a unique RF tissue sealing device) performance and reliability issues. Managed ongoing new product development for the device. Directed a staff of 15 and reported directly to the CEO.✔Released 8 new successful products in under three years. ✔Worked with the senior leadership team to grow business revenue from $50k per month to $3MM per month. ✔Successfully negotiated the sale of the company to Ethicon Endo Surgery in October 2008.

Proactively recruited to develop a device for surgically decalcifying native stenotic aortic valves in a stopped heart for this startup organization. Given additional accountability for directing the development of a device for decalcifying native stenotic aortic valves in a beating heart. Created and worked to project plans and budgets. Prepared and presented project updates to the board of directors. Managed a department of 12 employees including R&D, Chemistry and Prototyping. Reported to the Vice President of R&D.✔Invented the system for isolating the native valve while allowing for shunting blood from the LVOT, providing temporary aortic valve function, as well as providing a means for coronary profusion. ✔Brought this design from concept to clinical use and ensured adherence to design controls, overseeing all design reviews.✔Delivered devices for clinical readiness under demanding time constraints. Provided clinical support during clinical trials. ✔Integral role in the company’s success which led to Cordis acquiring this technology.

First engineer hired by the founder of this new startup medical device company. Established and managed R&D department of 12 employees encompassing innovation strategy and execution, R&D, prototyping, and manufacturing. Created and presented R&D updates to the board of directors. Continued to maintain and update project plans. Created project budgets. Held regular project meetings with other departments to coordinate efforts moving devices into clinical trials. Oversaw phase design reviews for various projects. ✔Integral role in the company’s success which led to J&J acquiring this technology.

First engineer hired at a new medical device startup. Responsible for developing product and preparing for market release for a RF-enabled product for treating stress urinary incontinence.

Project Leader for the “Rapid Trak” Introduction Sheath. Brought the Introduction Sheath from concept to clinical trials to manufacturing release.

Member of the Radially Expanding Dilator Product Development Team. Designed and developed an endometrial ablation system.