Head of Manufacturing Engineering

Job Description

What to Expect

Part of the senior leadership team reporting to the Director of Manufacturing Engineering and New Model Launch, which steers decisions within McLaren Production Centre (MPC).

The role of Head of Manufacturing Engineering will have responsibility and accountability for the Manufacturing Engineering function contributing across the complete McLaren automotive business, including people and budgetary management.

The Manufacturing Engineering function scope will cover body assembly, paint operations, general vehicle assembly and required sub-assembly right through to End of Line vehicle validation confirming customer ready covering production of series vehicles and key sake holder in the launch of new models.

What You'll Do

Health & Safety (H&S) Standards: Adhere to safety regulations and ensure a safe working environment for employees is maintained. Prioritise safety protocols to protect employees, customers, visitors, and prevent accidents.

 

Manufacturing: Leading the development and delivery of processes & equipment to ensure vehicle delivery up to 4000 vehicles annually through effective leadership of organisation supporting production operating over 2.5 shifts. Ensure adherence to and shared ownership of production efficiency targets. Resource and deliver new model launch, model year and running changes into Manufacturing.

 

Quality Management: Implement processes with support equipment & facilities to ensure overall vehicle development and production activities meet the defined quality targets & specification. Quality management is essential for consistent output meeting quality level required, our customers expectations.

 

Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and motivate the Manufacturing Engineering team of 6 direct reports and approximately 50 staff to foster a high-performing and collaborative work environment. Build and develop competence and high-performing teams within the McLaren business.

 

Problem-Solving Leadership: Effectively manage the manufacturing engineering functions problem-solving landscape to ensure the team address challenges faced promptly and to their proper conclusion. Drive root cause analysis and guide teams toward robust resolutions using recognised problem-solving methodology.

 

Efficiency Enhancement: Drive initiatives to enhance overall manufacturing & launch efficiency without compromising quality standards. Drive the team to identify and implement process improvements to optimise resource utilisation, foster a continuous improvement culture. Embrace technological advancements to enhance vehicle production and validation.

 

Strategy and Development / Transformation Leadership: 

 

• Create and implement a best-practice manufacturing vision, strategy, policies, processes, and procedures.


• Ensure manufacturing strategies align with business objectives in terms of cost, quality, and delivery targets.


• Evaluate challenges, mitigate risks, and develop opportunities.


• Contribute to overall business strategy and budget processes.

 

Collaboration and Communication: Change and build stronger working relationships with cross-functional teams to align manufacturing engineering activities with broader organisational goals. Communicate effectively with key stakeholders to provide updates and address concerns, fostering a customer-focused operational culture for world-class service levels.

 

Financial and Budget Management: Control the annual Manufacturing engineering team people and overhead budget to ensure expenditure is in line with the business plan. Prepare budget and forecasts and all capital expenditure proposals as well as ensuring compliance with legal standards. Manage the budget from identification to completion of projects.

What You'll Bring

• 
  Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality Management or suitable industry experience.
  


• Minimum of 10yrs in manufacturing engineering or relevant discipline.


• Held a Senior Leadership position for at least 5yrs.


• Experience in developing and implementing strategies to optimise production efficiency and quality.


• Experience of leading and managing organisation of manufacturing engineers, providing guidance and support for project execution.


• Strong technical knowledge, to ensure correct decisions are made at the right time aligning with McLarens goals.


• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement initiatives and resolve manufacturing & product issues.


• Overseeing the design and implementation of manufacturing systems, equipment, and facilities, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.


• Monitoring production data, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing corrective actions.


• Experience in ensuring manufacturing documentation work instruction, PFMEA are created and evaluating materials, equipment, and technologies for consistent delivery and continuous improvement.


• Strong problem solver with expertise in DMAIC and the 7 tools of quality. The ideal candidate will have a proven ability to analyse complex issues, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions.

 

Personal attributes:

 

• Highly motivated, resilient, assertive and process / data driven.


• Dynamic, with the ability to respond to challenging situations in an innovative manner.


• Clear Communication Skills: Effective communication is essential. As a head of manufacturing engineering, you’ll interact across the business at all levels. Clear communication both written and oral is vital for explaining instructions, presenting solutions, and avoiding project failure.


• Team Player, quickly develop good working relationships / Teamwork: You succeed with your team. Encourage, empower, and improve team members.


• Trustworthy, building trust within the organisation is crucial for this role. Trust fosters positive dynamics and contributes to successful outcomes despite challenging situations faced.


• Ability to think logically whilst ensuring day to day operation objectives are met.


• Passion for coaching and motivating people.

What We'll Do for You

We offer a wide – ranging benefits package, which includes:

• Structured career development framework


• 25 days’ holiday, plus bank holiday. Annual buy & sell up to five days


• Enhanced company pension scheme


• Discretionary annual bonus award


• Private medical insurance and health cash plan


• Life assurance 4x your basic salary


• Ability to apply for a sabbatical of up to one year after only two years’ service


• Benefits you can adapt to your lifestyle, such as discounted shopping


• Generous parental leave policies including market leading maternity leave


• Tax efficient nursery scheme benefit


• A range of wellbeing initiatives, such as employee assistance programme and free financial & mortgage advice


• Friends and family day


• Opportunities to experience our fantastic cars

Qualifying criteria applies*

Who Are We?

No restraints. No limitations. We don’t simply push boundaries. We completely rethink them. McLaren Automotive exists to create breath-taking performance road cars.

 

It takes a community to do what we do. A diverse group of people with many areas of expertise, united by their passion to deliver visionary products and set new benchmarks. 

McLaren Automotive commits to equal opportunity for all. Diversity, Equality and Inclusion is at the heart of our impact, it drives our innovation and enables us to truly create something special. Join us on our journey.