Felix L. Nieves

Consultant & Advisor

About

GLOBAL OPERATIONS LEADER: Rich history of success championing global operational excellence to ensure high-quality products/services while empowering continuous improvement of core processes/programs. MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY LEADER: Trusted, proven manufacturing and engineering leader that has helped organizations achieve their most ambitious goals worldwide for over 25 years. Established reputation as a collaborative, hands-on executive with a diverse collection of industry and domain expertise to deliver intuitive solutions. Prioritizes work culture evolution that cultivates an environment of collaboration and professional growth. Enjoys partnering with a variety of stakeholders to drive innovation and ensure operational excellence. MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS: Led a merger of two global medical device leaders into a unified organization while creating harmony among the two entities to align critical processes. Galvanized product launches and crafted unique solutions to guide a market leader in spinal implants with $3.4B in sales, adding value for customers worldwide. CONTINUOUS PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS: Significantly improved manufacturing lead time, WIP inventory, and space/process yields by leveraging the Lean Sigma framework to enhance the corporate culture. MANUFACTURING FACILITIES START-UPS: Supported startup of a new facility in Costa Rica by building the strategic vision to help Apollo ship clinical products within one year – accomplished by transferring class II/III medical devices from single-source suppliers to the new site. GLOBAL OPERATIONS: Rich history of success championing global operational excellence to ensure high-quality products/services while empowering continuous improvement of core processes/programs.

Country

Puerto Rico

City

Naguabo

Industry

Medical Device

Skill

Beekeeping, Facilities Start-Ups, Manufacturing Operations Management, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Engineering, Project Management, Technology Solutions, Quality System, Business Process Improvement, 21 CFR, Global Management, Managing Global Operations, Product Launch, Manufacturing Facilities and Operations Solutions, Global Cross-Functional Team Leadership, Global Mobility, ISO 13485, Sales Growth, Business Growth Strategies, Strategic Planning for Growth

Experience

Consultant & Advisor

Clara y Dorada LLC

2021-10 - Present · 5 yrs

Puerto Rico

Vice President Manufacturing Operations

Apollo Endosurgery

2015-3 - Present · 11 yrs 7 mos

Austin, Texas, United States

With Apollo, I crystallize the technical vision for class II/III medical devices while fostering continuous improvements to manufacturing processes. To support this, I oversee manufacturing and supply chain functions in both Texas and Costa Rica. Additionally, I encourage organizational growth by harnessing legacy and emerging technologies to build and launch robust products. Highlights: - Architected startup strategy for new facility in Costa Rica that shipped clinical products within one year; success required transfer of class II/III medical devices from single-source suppliers to new site. - Holistically supported sales growth by executing monthly manufacturing schedule to achieve 98% volume/mix adherence goals at Costa Rican manufacturing operation. - Eclipsed 70% variable gross margin target for new product amid challenges of COVID pandemic; product launch achieved despite lack of staff in design center and factory for preproduction builds.

Director Concurrent Engineering

Medtronic

2010-1 - 2015-3 · 5 yrs 3 mos

Memphis, Tennessee, United States

My primary tole was to formulate strategies that optimized Global Concurrent Engineering operations. I built intuitive manufacturing and engineering solutions for class II and III product launches while refining skill development methodologies. I also energized revenue growth and enabled operational excellence by leading M&A efforts. Highlights: - Authored Global Concurrent Engineering guides enabling flawless execution via skill development/enhancement efforts; initiative slashed volunteer department turnover from 6.2% to <1.5% and ensured successors for key leadership roles. - Reduced new product development cycle time by 30% and total product costs by 25% through creation of universal standard of work; boosted turns by 50%, improved global manufacturing capabilities and lead time. - Anchored team that built effective global policies to foster consistency across the organization for cleaning specifications in medical implant products. - Drove ~$300M in global revenue by executing numerous Spinal Implant system qualifications and helming product launches. - Streamlined global merger by integrating operational, strategic, and cultural functions, surpassing performance targets while remaining within budget and time constraints.