Head of Strategy, KPI & Governance in Woking

The Head of Strategy, Performance and Governance leads the strategic planning, performance measurement, and governance framework for McLaren's Supplier Quality Development function. This role ensures that SQD activities are aligned with business objectives, strategically focused, data-driven, and continuously improving.

The Head of Strategy, Performance and Governance translates McLaren's quality ambitions and business priorities into actionable SQD strategies, measurable performance indicators, and robust governance mechanisms. This role provides the analytical insight, strategic direction, and process discipline required to manage supplier quality effectively across multiple programmes, commodities, and supplier partnerships.

The position requires strong analytical capability, strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and the ability to influence cross-functional teams through evidence-based insights and clear governance frameworks.

What You'll Do

Strategic Planning and Direction

• Define and communicate SQD's strategic direction in alignment with McLaren's business objectives, product portfolio, and quality targets
• Develop long-range strategic plans for supplier quality management, including capability development, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Identify emerging quality risks, technology trends, and market opportunities that influence supplier quality strategy
• Translate business priorities into SQD resource allocation, capability development, and investment decisions
• Support Executive Committee (EXCO) and senior stakeholders with strategic supplier quality intelligence and recommendations

KPI Framework and Performance Management

• Design, implement, and maintain a comprehensive KPI framework for SQD activities across suppliers, commodities, and programmes to enable visibility of supplier and departmental performance
• Develop improvements to existing supplier quality metrics and define new methodologies
• Establish targets, thresholds, and escalation mechanisms for quality performance indicators
• Provide regular performance reporting, trend analysis, and insight to SQD leadership and cross-functional stakeholders
• Drive data integrity, system accuracy, and reporting consistency across SQD metrics and tools

Governance and Process Management

• Establish and maintain governance frameworks for supplier quality activities, including decision rights, escalation processes, and compliance mechanisms
• Define and document SQD processes, standards, work instructions, and quality procedures aligned to McLaren’s wider business processes and Quality Management System (QMS)
• Lead the implementation of governance forums, quality reviews, and decision-making structures (e.g., Supplier Quality Reviews, SQD Steering Committees)
• Ensure compliance with IATF16949, ISO standards and McLaren's Supplier Quality Manual (SQM) and implement industry best practices where appropriate
• Support internal and external audit readiness, quality certifications, and regulatory compliance activities

Data Analytics and Insight Generation

• Lead data analytics initiatives to identify quality trends, root causes, and improvement opportunities across the supply base
• Develop dashboards, visualizations, and reporting tools to provide data driven and actionable insights to SQD teams and stakeholders on core SQD activities (eg. APQP, PPAP, PSWs etc)
• Conduct risk assessments, scenario planning, and predictive analytics to anticipate supplier quality challenges
• Identify and quantify the business impact of supplier quality issues

Supplier Performance and Capability Development

• Define supplier performance scorecards, rating methodologies, and capability assessment frameworks
• Identify supplier capability gaps and recommend interventions, training, or development programmes
• Support supplier selection, nomination, and industrialization processes with supplier quality strategy input

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Product Development, Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, and Programme Management teams to align SQD strategy with business needs
• Represent SQD in strategic forums, transformational initiatives etc
• Influence stakeholders through clear communication, evidence-based analysis, and strategic recommendations
• Support integration of supplier quality intelligence into wider business case development, programme planning, and supplier relationship management

Continuous Improvement and Innovation

• Champion continuous improvement methodologies within SQD
• Identify opportunities to enhance SQD processes, tools, systems, and capabilities
• Benchmark against industry best practices and introduce innovative approaches to supplier quality management with McLaren
• Foster a culture of accountability, excellence, and continuous improvement within SQD teams

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, develop, and inspire direct team members and those within the wider SQD department
• Set clear expectations, priorities, and standards for delivery, quality, and collaboration
• Provide coaching, feedback, and professional development support to team members
• Foster a collaborative, data-driven, and performance-oriented team environment

Key Accountabilities

• Delivery of SQD strategic plans aligned with McLaren's business objectives and quality targets
• Effective design and implementation of KPI frameworks and performance measurement systems
• Strong governance frameworks that enable robust decision-making, compliance, and risk management
• Provision of actionable quality insights and data analytics to SQD leadership and stakeholders
• Contribution to McLaren's supplier quality performance, product quality, and competitiveness
• Leadership and development of a high-performing team

What You'll Bring

Required Experience

• Experience of operating in a transformational leadership and/or an internal or external consultancy role
• Experience in supplier quality management, quality assurance, or quality engineering within the automotive industry, ideally within premium, luxury, or performance brands
• Proven experience leading strategy, performance management, or governance functions in complex automotive environments
• Understanding of supplier quality methodologies including APQP, PPAP, PPAP, supplier performance measurement (series and NPI),
• Experience developing KPI frameworks, performance dashboards, and data analytics capabilities
• Track record of influencing senior stakeholders and driving continuous improvement through strategic insight

Technical and Professional Skills

• Excellent strategic thinking and analytical capability
• Strong understanding of automotive supplier quality standards, IAT16949 and industry best practices
• High-level data analytics skills, including visualization, trend analysis, and predictive modelling
• Good understanding of product development processes, supply chain management, and manufacturing operations
• Ability to translate complex data into clear insights and strategic recommendations via visual and oral presentations
• Proficiency in quality management systems, data analytics tools, and reporting platforms
• Excellent presentation storyboarding & development to allow for impactful delivery to C-suite/Exec level audiences

What We’ll Do for You

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

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.