Assembly / Fabrication Supervisor (Permanent) in Chichester

The world's pre-eminent super-luxury automotive brand based in Goodwood, near Chichester, West Sussex, comprises its global headquarters and Global Centre of Luxury Manufacturing Excellence.

This role works as part of a cross-functional project and manufacturing team to manage the successful delivery of new and evolving product content into the manufacturing environment. The position is responsible for implementing product and process changes, including bespoke and special content, while balancing OEM systems and customer requirements and ensuring there is no negative impact on manufacturing KPIs, series production, quality, cost or timing.

The role encompasses manufacturing engineering, assembly planning and change governance responsibilities, including:

• Management of the build landscape for production with changing and continuously developing product components, including new product introductions, running changes and base launches.
• Management and implementation of product and process changes during SBWE phases, running changes and base launches.
• Processing and implementation of all incoming changes controlled via site change coordination and time-slice measures.
• Ensuring all changes are delivered with zero negative impact to manufacturing KPIs and series production.
• Responsibility for implementing manual processes and all special tools, fixtures and equipment required for product and process changes.
• Procurement and proof of ability for functionally and FMK-relevant SBMs (BLUM).
• Sourcing and coordination of all non-FMK-relevant SBMs within the area of responsibility.
• Coordination of hardware and equipment requirements planning with plant and project teams.
• Regular coordination with external partners, including facility manufacturers and tooling suppliers.
• Execution of proof of manufacturability activities (Process BI).
• Evaluation and validation of special tools, fixtures and equipment functionality.
• Processing of evaluation orders in cooperation with concept planning, plant, quality and project teams.
• Managing technical change requests via consolidation meeting landscapes.
• Chairing and leading cross-functional and cross-plant forums to align stakeholders on Bespoke and manufacturing change topics.
• Driving consensus across engineering, production, purchasing, quality and finance to achieve cost-effective, high-quality solutions.
• Processing SBWE steering lists and managing related actions.
• Creation of TD-TVGs (e.g. for construction deviations).
• Enhancement of assembly processes in Combi-TVGs.
• Introduction of essential and team-relevant topics into specialist teams and plant forums.

Risk Management

• Risk management responsibility at plant level following evaluation of risk filters (RiFI).
• Definition, tracking and implementation of mitigation measures.
• Carrying out RiFI for communal issues.
• Responsibility for processing plant-specific PQM points, including announcements.

Financial Planning & Investment Control

• Planning and control of finances required for processes and project delivery.
• Responsibility for Product Investment, Structure Investment and Budget planning.
• Cost planning and governance of manufacturing change activities.

Systems, Documentation & Information Management

• Implementation and management of processes for machine and variant control.
• Use and support of associated information systems, including PUSY (CAS), MOSIS, SAP and BVIS.
• Management and maintenance of process documentation and manufacturing records.

Regular coordination with plant interface partners, including Assembly PSPs, production, finance and purchasing. Coordination with concept planners, quality, manufacturing engineering and project teams. Support to production teams in addressing manufacturing challenges and continuous improvement activities.

Significant manufacturing and automotive industrial experience, preferably within low-volume or premium manufacturing environments. Experience in Manufacturing Engineering, Assembly Planning, Production Planning, Logistics or Product Engineering. Strong change and project management experience in a manufacturing environment. Proven ability to lead and motivate cross-functional teams without direct authority. Demonstrated experience implementing process improvements and managing process documentation. Proven background supporting production teams with manufacturing challenges. Engineering degree, Mechanical Engineering degree or equivalent (preferred but not essential depending on experience). Manufacturing experience of greater than five years is desired. Prior use of OEM assembly planning systems (e.g. training will be provided as required). Strong potential to develop into a future leader of people.

Training & Development

• OEM-specific system qualifications may be provided through structured competence management frameworks, including: Introduction programmes, Training needs analysis (BBA), Qualification and development measures.

Competitive hourly rate with annual performance-related bonus. Access to a subsidised restaurant. Hays Go1 training platform with over 70,000 courses. Access to Ben support services (mental health, legal and financial wellbeing). Local retail and restaurant discounts: 35 days annual leave (including bank holidays).