Supplier Diversity

Medtronic continues to build its supplier diversity program in the United States by creating program infrastructure and focusing on strategies to grow business opportunities for diverse suppliers.

In 2003, Medtronic created a Supplier Diversity Team comprised of representatives from each Medtronic business. Each business is responsible for local and national engagement and is measured quarterly on performance against plan. In fiscal year 2011, the Medtronic Supplier Diversity Team held a strategic planning session to construct short- and long-range plans.

A key element of growing a diverse supplier base is collaboration with advocacy organizations, such as the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), In order to identify high potential diverse businesses, Medtronic participated in numerous supplier diversity events at the national and local level, including the NMSDC and NMSDC affiliate councils, Woman’s Business Enterprise, Veteran’s National Conferences and several small business and ethnic Chamber of Commerce events.

Medtronic also provides financial support to several advocacy groups through memberships and sponsorships and non-financial support through leadership and volunteerism. Medtronic employees serve on several advocacy organizations boards and advisory committees, including NMSDC, Midwest Minority Supplier Development Council, Puerto Rico Minority Supplier Development Council, Diversity Information Resources, Metropolitan Economic Development Association, and Minnesota American Indian Chamber of Commerce. Current board directorships include:

  • Mitch Parrish, Medtronic Vice President of Global Supply Chain Operations, NMSDC Board of Directors
  • Pedro Vega Suarez, Sourcing Logistics Director, Puerto Rico Minority Supplier Development Council
  • Cindy Kent, Vice President Neuromodulation Marketing, Metropolitan Economic Development Association
  • Gretchen Ebert, Director Supplier Diversity, NMSDC Healthcare Industry Group, Diversity Information Resources and Minnesota American Indian Chamber of Commerce (Advisory Committee).

In 2011 Medtronic was named to the Minority Business News USA “Top 101 Corporations for Supplier Diversity” and was nominated for the NMSDC Corporation of the Year Award.

Please visit our corporate web site to learn more about our supplier diversity program.

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