Acoustic Polymers Ltd (APL) are a developer and manufacturer of specialist polymers which are used under water for acoustic signature management or subsea environmental protection.

I originally worked with APL to provide quality management support such as internal auditing, however the business started to grow in size, complexity and scope and the demands on the MD started to increase. With no formal Board, and as an 'owner-driver' the MD really needed support on both operational and strategic levels, particularly with the growth of mass manufacturing orders and Special Projects. I provide support on site at the manufacturing facility at least one day a week as well as remotely via Teams / WhatsApp / Email etc. I work closely with the MD to provide a significant amount of wide ranging activities across almost all areas of the business such as: 

• Identifying blockers to growth, resulting in the employment of a Business Support role to remove a huge administrative burden from the MD 
• Managing the quality management system including investigation of non-conformances, management review meetings, managing the internal auditor 
• Liaising with key blue chip customers in the defence, nuclear and medical ultrasound sectors
• Implementing quality management improvements to meet customer specific quality requirements 
• Planning and preparing for mass manufacturing orders
• Implementing a Special Projects Process and supporting the Projects as they develop
• Being a friendly point of contact for the whole team and carrying out 1-2-1s across the business twice a year
• Keeping extensive records of discussions /  risks / opportunities and the resulting decisions for future reference