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Farooq Yaqub: on working for Ford Pro

Book open Reading time: 2 mins

Product Owner Farooq shares that there are a lot of opportunities with potential for growth within Ford Pro.

What was your role when you joined Ford?

I initially joined Ford in the Powertrain Manufacturing team as an Engineer where I worked on a range of projects, in several roles with a cross functional global team, where I focussed on developing toward a goal I had of becoming a Chartered member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology.

What is your current role?

I have recently started a new role as a Product Owner where I am getting great insight into the change in working practice embodied in the Ford Pro approach to customer centric solution development.

What is your favourite thing about working for Ford?

In my time at Ford I have worked on collaborative projects with partners and have learned a lot from different perspectives, from research and development to production implementation.

What has been the biggest surprise?

The scale of the operation! The first time I saw the Dagenham estate from the inside, one of many facilities,it made me appreciate the scale of the Ford footprint and its impact to its surrounds.

What makes Ford different?

The ability to pivot such a large organisation across regions in times of turmoil to which we have had in recent history. Global recession, a major shift in consumer trends and a pandemic where we formed part of the Ventilator Challenge UK consortium, leveraging our skill in mass production to upscale production of ventilators to support the NHS.

What excites you the most about our Commercial Vehicles / Ford Pro business?

I find the focus on solving challenges with customers really exciting. Solving problems has always been interesting to me and something I can use a range of my skills to add value to.

Why is this a great time to join the Commercial Vehicles / Ford Pro team?

With the reorganisation of the business there are a lot of opportunities within the Commercial Vehicles / Ford Pro team with potential for growth and skills acquisition.

What are your top tips for graduates applying for the Ford Pro graduate scheme?

Gain a deeper understanding of the approach Ford is taking to solving customer challenges and focus on how you could add value to the vision now or in the future.

Want to follow in Farooq's footsteps, then take a look at the current opportunities with Ford