Let's Talk Quality

Author: Hemish Ilangaratne

Lets Talk Quality is a podcast that seeks to shine a light on quality assurance, a profession that acts as the cornerstone for bringing safer medicine to patients. For life science companies to continue to develop life-saving medicines, a culture of good quality must be driven across the industry, whether that be an early phase gene therapy biotech or a global pharma organisation. This podcast aims to drive that mission forward through inviting industry leaders, experts, and visionaries to share their knowledge, experiences, and strategies for achieving quality excellence. Join us on a journey of discovery as we unravel the importance of quality and its profound impact on businesses and society. Get ready to engage in insightful discussions, gain valuable perspectives, and unlock the secrets to fostering a culture of quality in every aspect of life. Tune in and lets embark on this exciting quality-driven adventure together.
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Language: en

Genres: Business, Careers, Life Sciences, Science

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How to Drive KPI's the Right Way in Global Quality, with Burak Begen
Episode 8
Tuesday, 31 March, 2026

Perseverance, perspective and people-first leadership in a global quality role.In today's episode I was joined by Burak Begen, Head of Global Manufacturing Quality at Siemens Healthineers.I really wanted to speak to Burak because he’s built his career across multiple countries, cultures and challenges, and now leads quality across global manufacturing sites. His journey gives a very real view of what it actually takes to operate at that level.Burak’s career hasn’t been linear or easy. From starting his career in Turkey, moving to the US for his PhD, rebuilding his career from scratch, and navigating setbacks like job losses and site closures - his story is defined by perseverance and resilience.What stood out is how those experiences shaped the way he leads today. He leads from the front, sets high standards, but always stays close to his teams. Whether it’s staying late to close records or travelling globally to connect with people on site, his leadership is grounded in accountability and support.We talk about the following:Why perseverance is a defining trait for quality leadersLeading global teams across time zones and culturesBuilding a partnership mindset in quality instead of a “policing” approachCreating the right KPI culture and avoiding “watermelon metrics”Empowering teams to make decisions and building psychological safetyIf you are a quality professional managing multiple sites a leader struggling with KPIs, culture or engagement across sites, or someone who wants to step into a larger global role, then this episode is for you.Thank you Burak for sharing your incredible journey.Hope everyone enjoys the show.