Head of Advanced Product Quality Planning

Job Description – Head of Advanced Product Quality Planning (00124136)

Job Title: Head of Advanced Product Quality Planning

Location: Flexible across UK locations, with domestic travel and occasional international travel as required. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

What you’ll be doing:

• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to develop and sustain the application of APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) in projects, starting with pilot initiatives, to improve safety, quality, cost, and delivery, while promoting a “Left Shift” mindset and ensuring APQP tools, techniques, and training materials are in place to support project success.
• Lead the development and implementation of the APQP governance and assurance framework, and periodically review processes across sectors, sharing best practices to improve efficiency and reduce waste.
• Oversee the APQP working group and facilitator community, building and developing an effective network within lines of business to ensure the availability of skilled individuals to drive improved performance.
• Drive the integration of APQP competencies within BAE’s people management framework and ensure a model is in place to assess APQP implementation maturity, with annual reviews and performance metrics to guide continuous improvement.
• Own and coordinate the APQP Communications Plan, and chair LCM Phase/Design Reviews and technical bid reviews, contributing to the successful delivery of large projects.
• Manage one direct report, the APQP Lead, supporting their development and implementation of APQP strategies.

Your skills and experiences:

• Knowledge of APQP tools (e.g. FMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC) and ability to teach others.
• Understanding of cross-functional roles and managing technical issues related to APQP.
• Knowledge of APQP stakeholder governance and integration across functions.
• Familiarity with group strategy, technology themes, and industry best practices.
• Recognised qualification in safety, quality, engineering, manufacturing, or supply chain.
• Leadership experience in APQP and driving business change.
• Skilled in data analytics and applying it for decision-making.

The APQP Team:

As Head of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) within the Chief Technology and Information Office (CTIO), you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping and leading the strategy for APQP across BAE Systems. You will drive the development and cross-functional implementation of APQP capabilities, ensuring seamless project planning that reduces costs, improves quality, and accelerates delivery. By collaborating with senior stakeholders and coordinating with various lines of business, you’ll help define and deploy a robust APQP strategy, integrating it with company frameworks and ensuring best practices are shared across the organisation. As a recognised authority in APQP, you’ll oversee the governance, processes, training, and tools required to sustain and enhance the methodology throughout the lifecycle of projects. With responsibility for leading a community of practice, you will foster a culture of continuous improvement across BAE Systems, influencing both UK and International businesses to drive consistent, high-quality outcomes.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and particularly from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our industry, including women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ individuals. We also want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Closing Date: 4th March 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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