A journey of purpose and innovation: Javier Mª Gonzalez Tejera at Konica Minolta Healthcare

“Everything has to have a meaning for me.”

This plain yet profound statement from Javier Mª Gonzalez Tejera, General Manager Healthcare IT & X-Ray EMEA at Konica Minolta, sets the tone for a career defined by purpose, transformation, and a relentless desire to make a difference.

As well as being an experienced leader, Javier is a force of nature: energetic, curious, and deeply committed to having an impact. His career spans continents, industries, and challenges: from leading Kodak’s operations in Spain and Portugal to building multinational companies in office supplies and healthcare, Javier has consistently stepped outside his comfort zone. This includes spending five years in Latin America in a role that provide extraordinary professional and personal experience. His decision to join Konica Minolta was the logical next step.

“I knew Konica Minolta. I knew it would be an interesting journey with them,” he recalls. But it wasn’t just about joining a company; it was about connecting with a vision and a mission.

Healthcare with heart: Technology that touches lives

Konica Minolta’s healthcare division goes beyond machines and diagnostics by focusing squarely on people. This reflects Javier's own passion for healthcare that's rooted in its human impact. “It’s not about improving a company's efficiency - you’re affecting human lives.” he says. “So, you have to be fully committed and willing to make a meaningful compromise in everything you do.”

One of the most transformative innovations Javier has championed is Konica Minolta's Dynamic Digital Radiography (DDR), which represents a paradigm shift away from conventional radiography. While traditional imaging shows only static anatomy, DDR reveals physiological function in real time. A key example is assessing diaphragmatic mobility, a critical factor in breathing that doesn't show up on a standard X-ray. Analyzing it using other techniques is slow and requires a degree of cooperation from the patient that's often impossible for someone in respiratory distress, leading to delays in vital clinical decisions. Dynamic Digital Radiography (DDR) removes these barriers, allowing a clinician to visualize the functional cause of the pathology for a swift and accurate diagnosis.

By capturing moving images, DDR opens up new possibilities in diagnostics. “I totally fell in love with it because it's only the second time in my career that I've worked on a truly unique innovation,” says Javier. Instead of rushing to market with DDR, however, Javier and his team chose to develop a deep understanding of it first. “We didn’t want to just go out and sell a new product,” he says. “We decided to hire a team that could really explain and prove the value of DDR.” This deliberate decision ensured the launch of a technology that was both innovative and validated and trusted by healthcare professionals. This commitment to meaningful innovation perfectly reflects Konica Minolta’s deep sense of purpose and responsibility: technology must serve people.

Dynamic Digital Radiography (DDR) has already proved itself to be lifesaving, especially in critical care settings. “Imagine a newborn in distress, unable to undergo conventional imaging. Konica Minolta’s technology enables safe, mobile diagnostics that can be the difference between life and death,” says Javier. Trauma care offers another compelling use case. “If someone suffers severe injuries after falling from window, the last thing they need is additional pain. With this imaging method, a patient's lung function can be assessed without moving them - saving precious time and potentially a life,” he says. These aren’t just technical milestones; they’re deeply human triumphs.

Konica Minolta’s commitment to quality and reliability is central to its success. “You can't propose different quality solutions in different parts of the world," says Javier. "You need to maintain the same high standard globally, from advanced European hospitals to facilities in less well resourced regions.” The impact is tangible: “Last year, one of the major Dynamic Digital Radiography (DDR) deals was with the United Nations in Egypt.” Ten units were installed across Egypt, in Cairo as well as more remote locations, proving that innovation can - and must - reach every corner of the world.

Javier describes Dynamic Digital Radiography (DDR) as “a live product” that's constantly evolving. Potential new use cases and insights from existing deployments are fed back to Konica Minolta's global headquarters in Japan to enable continuous improvement.

Javier’s pride in Konica Minolta is deeply personal. He sees healthcare not just as a career, but as a calling. “For me, a job has to have a greater purpose than economic success alone.”

An exciting workplace: Innovation, diversity, and freedom to grow

Konica Minolta Healthcare EMEA is a vibrant team of 25 people spanning 17 nationalities. Based in the Netherlands, with some colleagues working in Spain, Dubai, Kenya, France and Germany, the team thrives on collaboration, creativity, and a shared sense of purpose. The company culture is deeply influenced by Japanese values of respect, perfectionism, discipline, honesty, and integrity. “Values aren't just words you stick up on the wall,” Javier says. “They have to become part of your DNA.”

Konica Minolta empowers employees to shape their own paths. Career development is a core element of the company's approach: from succession planning to internal mobility, Konica Minolta ensures talent is nurtured, and offers real opportunities for growth. “When I started at Konica Minolta, we agreed on what we wanted to achieve together. I was then given the freedom to define and implement the way forward,” shares Javier. This degree of trust and autonomy is rare - and makes Konica Minolta a truly exciting place to work.

If you’re driven by purpose, inspired by innovation, and eager to grow - Konica Minolta Healthcare is the place for you

• Impact: Work on technologies that save lives and improve healthcare globally.
• Growth: Enjoy real career development and cross-functional opportunities.
• Culture: Be part of a diverse, collaborative, and values-driven team.
• Innovation: Contribute to cutting-edge solutions like Dynamic Digital Radiography and help shape the future of healthcare.

Whether you're an engineer, a business strategist, or simply passionate about healthcare, Konica Minolta is a place where you can make your mark. As Javier puts it: “Working in healthcare makes you feel good, and it’s a career that offers lifelong learning opportunities.”