How to Drive KPI's the Right Way in Global Quality, with Burak Begen

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 leaders
• Leading global teams across time zones and cultures
• Building a partnership mindset in quality instead of a “policing” approach
• Creating the right KPI culture and avoiding “watermelon metrics”
• Empowering teams to make decisions and building psychological safety

If 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.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction to Burak Begen

(06:00) The Importance of Quality in Leadership

(10:39) Cultural Influences on Leadership

(16:11) Navigating Time Zones and Cultural Differences

(21:03) The Role of KPIs in Quality Management

(27:51) Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations