Joerg Schmidt, Medtronic’s new VP of global operations and supply chain [Image from Schmidt’s LinkedIn profile]
Joerg Schmidt announced his move to Medtronic in a LinkedIn post yesterday: “I am very much looking forward to this new chapter, partnering with teams across Medtronic, and contributing to strong execution, sustainable performance, and long-term value creation.”
Schmidt takes over the VP and CFO of global operations and supply chain role from John Barrett, who was promoted to VP of Digital Enterprise Transformation at Medtronic, according to another LinkedIn post today.
Schmidt’s hiring is the latest in executive personnel shifts in Medtronic’s supply chain and contracting operations. With the Minnesota-run medtech giant enjoying double-digit revenue growth driven by innovative technologies such as AFib-treating pulsed field ablation, leadership sees broader supply chain initiatives beginning to deliver structural efficiencies on the profit and loss statement, according to comments made during the company’s Q2 earnings call on Sept. 1.
Medtronic CFO Thierry Pieton reiterated the point during a LinkedIn post this evening about Schmidt’s hire: “The Global Operations & Supply Chain organization plays a critical role in delivering for customers and patients while supporting our long-term growth and profitability ambitions. Disciplined financial leadership is essential as we continue to strengthen our operations, accelerate transformation, and drive greater efficiency across our global network.”
Pieton noted that Schmidt has 25 years of finance leadership experience across operations, manufacturing and supply chains, driving operational efficiency and inventory reduction initiatives, manufacturing network optimizations, and acquisition integrations during his time at ZB. “His deep operational expertise and strong track record of delivering results make him exceptionally well positioned for this important position.”
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More about recent Medtronic executive personnel shifts in supply chain and contracting
A week ago, Derek Minnock, previously an executive at Medtronic’s Cardiac Ablation Solutions business, announced on LinkedIn that he had moved to a new role as VP of global contract manufacturing.
Rogerio Branco, who spent 33 years at the global power management company Eaton, joined Medtronic’s C-suite in May as SVP and chief operations and supply chain officer. He replaced EVP of Enterprise Operations Greg Smith, who left in December 2025 to become chief supply chain officer at Walgreens.
According to Schmidt’s LinkedIn page, he joined Biomet in 2011 and stayed on after the company’s merger with Zimmer in 2015, working his way up the executive ranks. Most recently, he was VP of finance, strategy and transformation for global operations. The position’s responsibilities included developing strategic plans for global operations and supply chain; executing manufacturing transfers, consolidation projects, site shutdowns and setup of new sites; performing operations M&A due diligence and integrations; and overseeing financials of 25 manufacturing sites, the global supply chain network and global inventories.
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