MBA Alumnus Carves Global Career Path in Medical Technology
Eight years ago, while working as a business development manager for diagnostic testing company CGC Genetics in his native country of Portugal, Rogerio Henriques ’15 was sent to the U.S. for an assignment that happened to be based in the Enterprise Development Center (EDC) at NJIT. It was then that he began researching MBA programs and learned the advanced management degree at the university’s Martin Tuchman School of Management (MTSM) focused strongly on technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.
“I knew that NJIT was a perfect match because of its curriculum, designed to educate the new generation of technology-savvy business leaders,” he remembered. “In addition, the fact that it is close to New York City, an important business and financial center, and it’s fully accredited by AACSB [Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business] made me have no doubts about my decision.”
Henriques opted to study on campus rather than online to fully immerse himself in the educational experience, which enabled him to collaborate with other engineers and technical professionals, and team with EDC-based companies. He got involved in extracurricular activities as well, serving as president of the Graduate Business Club and co-representing the university at the APICS Business Case Competition.
With his MBA in hand, Henriques, who also holds both a bachelor’s in biomedical engineering and a master’s in medical electronics from Universidade do Minho in Portugal, is today the European product manager for Becton Dickinson (BD). His primary responsibility at the global medical technology company lies in driving the strategy of the region’s portfolio of specimen collection devices to achieve optimal financial performance. He is based in BD’s European headquarters in Switzerland.
Of his greatest accomplishment at BD to date, he said, “I was able to work on the strategy for a very critical and strategic product line, as well as create new synergies with other relevant stakeholders in different company divisions. This is even more relevant, taking into account the dimension of BD with recent major acquisitions.”
Past Practice Makes Perfect
Possessing a strong background in health care and medical equipment, Henriques is well suited for his current position. He began his career in Portugal at Siemens Healthcare as an application specialist intern for MRI and computer tomography systems. From there he moved on to CGC Genetics, where he later became regional sales manager, and then served as a consultant for GI Supply, a medical device business for which he managed distributors in Latin America and Europe. He also oversaw sales and marketing activities in Europe, the Middle East and Africa for nuclear imaging company Spectrum Dynamics Medical, part of Biosensors International Group.
And while he pursued his MBA, he worked at S&A Technologies, an EDC-based company, and New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII), an NJIT entity. At S&A, he was a project manager for life sciences. At NJII, he helped in the implementation of a federal grant by assisting startups with improving their strategies and business approaches.
“Since I started my career back in Portugal, I have had the opportunity to work in countries such as France, the U.S. and Switzerland. This has helped me to grow professionally and personally,” remarked Henriques, who grew up the youngest of five in the small town of Fafe. “I’ve been able to learn how people do business in other countries, learn about their laws and regulations — especially in the health care field — and meet great professionals that shaped the way I perform today.”
Such professionals include those he met at NJIT and MTSM. “I made really good friends and mentors, such as [Director of Graduate Programs and Executive Education] Elaine Frazier and [Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship] Cesar Bandera, whom I still call when I’m in need of advice.”
