At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead manufacturing engineering projects and optimise factory layouts for peak efficiency.
- Company: Join McLaren Automotive, a leader in performance road cars.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, enhanced pension, and flexible lifestyle benefits.
- Other info: Opportunities for career development and a culture of innovation.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team pushing the boundaries of automotive engineering.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and experience in manufacturing processes required.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Reporting to the Head of Manufacturing Engineering, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining the long‑term manufacturing structure plan, ensuring that facility layouts, production flows, and capacity strategies support business growth, product development, and operational excellence. This role provides leadership in translating engineering requirements and business forecasts into robust factory structures, layouts, and capacity models. Additionally, this team will own tooling design and realisation.
Key responsibilities will include:
- HS&E, legal and regulatory requirements (including fixed equipment and machinery)
- Strategy & Capacity Planning
- Manufacturing Footprint & Industrialisation
- Programme & Project Delivery
- Equipment Handover protocol
- Investment Planning
- Cross‑Functional Leadership Interface
- Resource management
- Cost Management
- Quality assurance ISO-9001 / IATF 16949
What You'll Do:
- Strategic Structure & Capacity Planning
- Develop long-term structure plans aligned with product roadmaps, engineering changes, and business forecasts.
- Assess future production capacity requirements and define equipment, layout, and collaborate on headcount requirements.
- Lead scenario planning to identify structural bottlenecks and investment priorities.
- Factory Layout & Industrialisation
- Design and optimise factory layouts, production lines, workstations, and material flow.
- Support new product introductions (NPI) by ensuring structural readiness for new processes and equipment.
- Plan and manage facility expansions, relocations, and major line reconfigurations.
- Maintain approved layout drawings, structure plans, and capacity models within formal governance processes.
- Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Act as the central interface between Manufacturing Engineering and all process partners, including senior management.
- Translate engineering changes into structural impacts and communicate required actions into relevant launch team.
- Facilitate cross-functional structure planning reviews and ensure aligned decision-making.
- Project & Programme Delivery
- Lead structure-related elements of major programmes, including line installations, layout changes, and facility upgrades.
- Manage project plans, risks, deliverables, and capital requirements.
- Provide regular status reporting to stakeholders, including senior leadership.
- Continuous Improvement & Performance Analysis
- Identify opportunities to improve production flow, ergonomics, takt time adherence, and overall factory efficiency.
- Analyse capacity utilisation, OEE, and bottleneck data to inform structural changes.
- Support continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen.
- Financial & Investment Planning
- Develop and maintain the capital expenditure (CAPEX) roadmap relating to layout, tooling, and structural improvements.
- Produce cost-benefit analyses and ROI assessments for structural projects.
- Partner with Finance to ensure full alignment with budget cycles and strategic plans.
- Leadership & Team Development
- Line-manage structure planning specialists, layout engineers, and project staff (as applicable).
- Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence.
- Support succession planning and capability development within the Manufacturing Engineering function.
What You'll Bring:
- Live the McLaren values.
- Strategic thinking and long-term planning.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
- Leadership and team development.
- Cross-functional collaboration.
- Technical expertise in manufacturing processes.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Highly motivated, resilient, and agile.
- Data driven and process focused.
- Dynamic, with the ability to respond to challenging situations in an innovative manner.
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 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.
Manufacturing Engineering Manager in Woking employer: McLaren Group
At McLaren, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and teamwork. Our Composite Laminating Shift Lead role not only provides competitive benefits and opportunities for professional growth but also allows you to be part of a prestigious brand known for its commitment to high-performance and safety. Located in a state-of-the-art facility, you'll collaborate with talented professionals dedicated to excellence, making every day at McLaren a rewarding experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manufacturing Engineering Manager in Woking
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like McLaren Group, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Manufacturing Engineering Manager in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to McLaren Group specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at McLaren Group
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with McLaren Group, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like McLaren Group value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
