Head of Supplier Quality & Development (Electrical and Powertrain) in Woking

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Supplier Quality & Development (SQD) to lead the Electrical and Powertrain commodity group. This role is critical in ensuring the quality, capability, and performance of our supplier base across the full product lifecycle—from concept and supplier nomination through industrialisation, ramp‑up, series production, and aftersales. You will provide leadership to a team of SQD Commodity Managers (and their associated teams), each responsible for a portfolio of suppliers and components, and act as the strategic interface between engineering, procurement, manufacturing and supplier partners. As the Head of SQD, you will report directly to the McLaren SQD Director.

What You’ll Do

• Define and execute the SQD strategy for Electrical and Powertrain commodities in alignment with wider SQD and McLaren’s business objectives.
• Represent McLaren SQD in senior internal and supplier reviews.
• Provide escalation point for critical issues impacting quality, delivery and industrialisation of Electrical and Powertrain commodities (NPI and Series).
• Deputise for SQD Director where appropriate.
• Develop and manage budgets and resources to deliver departmental objectives.
• Lead, coach and develop a high‑performing team of SQD Commodity Managers.
• Drive and monitor teams to ensure delivery of their KPIs (QCR containment, countermeasure and closure, PPAP maturation, nomination audits and forecast capacity validation etc.).
• Work with Cross‑Functional partners to drive collaborative behaviours to achieve optimum outcome for McLaren Profitability.
• Ensure all potential supplier sourcing is well researched (robust nomination audits, review of current supplier performance etc.) to build and maintain a competent supply base.
• Ensure supplier compliance with SQM.
• Support Supplier selection & development processes to achieve a self‑sufficient supply base IATF 16949.
• Ensure Non‑IATF16949 suppliers deliver their certification qualification to the approved nomination plan.
• Support the implementation of APQP for all new tooled parts.
• Support Robust Manufacturing Feasibility strategy deployment and reviews.
• Ensure that allocated suppliers meet launch / delivery commitments in line with APQP.
• Drive Supplier / Component Risk Assessments and develop risk mitigation actions (in both NPI and series).
• Identify critical suppliers / components (in both NPI and series) that require full cross‑functional team engagement with the supplier.
• Provide supplier progress reporting to Procurement and SQD Program teams for: APQP open issues, PPAP part pedigree prior to each build phase and PPAP delivery forecast / actual confirmation.
• Track and manage PPAP part approval to agreed delivery plan.
• Manage Non PPAP part Concession process to ensure ‘Plan for every part’ is established to support the builds.
• Deliver Quality & Capacity Verification in line with MDP targets.
• Drive Major open issue resolution at Key suppliers, to ensure Supplier Senior Management team are fully engaged in the resolution process.
• Develop improvement strategies for poorly performing suppliers and ensure they are delivered.
• Completion of annual supplier manufacturing site audits in line with schedule.
• Complete new and legacy asset audit/validation.
• Develop ‘MAL‑Q’ Workplans for suppliers to achieve MAL‑Q accreditation.
• Conduct Supplier Target Setting (for NPI and series).
• Manage Supplier Escalation Process / actions within each escalated supplier.
• Manage FCR countermeasure actions within supplier.
• On site validation of all PCAs implemented by supplier.
• Manage resolution of supplier liable QNs and QCRs (from D4‑D8).
• Manage/Monitor formal CSL1 & CSL2 Process active in supplier.
• Ensure supplier ‘quality history reports’ are accurate and are fed into commodity strategy and nomination processes for incumbent suppliers.
• Manage relocation and/or re‑source projects (supplier PCRs) post J1+90.
• Lead on site MAL response to ‘emergency’ issues (e.g. factory fires, natural disasters, insolvency etc.).

What You’ll Bring

• Significant senior leadership experience leading Supplier Quality teams at Senior Manager level or higher in Automotive OEMs.
• Significant experience at managing and leading teams and suppliers across multiple global locations.
• Has held previous senior SQD leadership roles managing supplier site teams (new model & series supplier performance management) and OEM plant (launch and series issue resolution).
• Technical and operational experience of Electrical and Powertrain systems and their associated manufacturing processes, quality requirements and potential risks.
• Previous experience in manufacturing engineering and manufacturing operations.
• Experience interacting with suppliers at Director/GM level.
• Understanding of high and low volume automotive OEM manufacturing / assembly processes.
• Ability to interrogate Programme plans and evaluate supplier’s ability to deliver, quality on time to meet company milestones.
• Capable of carrying out effective scenario planning to establish potential mitigation actions, if required.
• Experience of developing and leading supplier development activities.
• Experience of developing and managing reaction plans for distressed suppliers to ensure continuity of supply.
• Experience of developing departmental strategies, organisational design and new business processes.
• Technical Engineering qualified to Degree standard, or equivalent experience.
• Demonstratable Strategic, Budgetary and communication/influencing skills gained through previous experience and further career development/education.
• Must have previous experience in supplier quality roles, including multiple new models launches and significant experience of managing series production suppliers.
• Have an excellent understanding of APQP, PPAP, IATF 16949, ISO 9001 and other relevant quality standards and industrialisation processes/deliverables.
• Have an excellent understanding of supplier performance management tools and KPIs (e.g., PPM, QN, Warranty, product Audit, CSL/GP12, supplier escalation, supplier accreditation etc.).

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.