At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to ensure seamless material flow in manufacturing operations.
- Company: Join McLaren Automotive, a leader in performance road cars.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, enhanced pension, and flexible lifestyle benefits.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team driving excellence and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a high-performance culture focused on innovation.
- Qualifications: Degree or equivalent experience in Supply Chain or Logistics required.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
McLaren Automotive is seeking an experienced and inspirational Material Control & Supply Planning Manager to lead a high-performing team responsible for ensuring the seamless flow of materials across our manufacturing operations. Reporting to the Head of Material Control & Planning, you will play a key leadership role within the Logistics Leadership Team, driving operational excellence across material planning, inventory management and supplier scheduling. You will ensure the right materials are available at the right time while optimising inventory levels and supporting world-class manufacturing performance. Leading a team of material planners and controllers, you will champion continuous improvement, develop strategic supplier relationships, and build a culture focused on delivering our mission: Right part. Right place. Right time. Every time.
What You'll Do
- Leadership & People Development
- Lead, inspire and develop the Material Control & Planning team, fostering a high-performance culture that embraces accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Drive effective hybrid working practices, ensuring productivity, engagement and strong team connectivity.
- Promote a “One Team” culture by building strong relationships across the wider Logistics function.
- Oversee recruitment, onboarding, coaching, performance management and succession planning, ensuring individuals are empowered to make informed decisions and achieve their full potential.
- Material Planning & Supply Chain Operations
- Lead the planning and control of production materials to ensure uninterrupted manufacturing operations.
- Manage supplier schedules to optimise material availability while minimising inventory and associated costs.
- Ensure parts are available at the Point of Fit (PPoF), supporting build stability and first-time-through manufacturing targets.
- Monitor inventory levels, balancing customer demand, operational requirements and cash flow objectives while minimising obsolete and excess stock.
- New Model Launch
- Represent Material Control & Planning within cross-functional New Model Launch activities.
- Collaborate closely with Engineering, Manufacturing and Programme teams to ensure material readiness for new vehicle introductions.
- Provide regular cross-functional reporting on launch readiness, risks and recovery actions.
- Supplier Relationship Management
- Build and maintain strong strategic relationships with suppliers across short, medium and long-term planning horizons.
- Act as the senior escalation point for supplier performance, capacity constraints and delivery issues.
- Drive supplier performance improvement through robust KPI management, business reviews and corrective action plans where required.
- Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
- Foster a culture of innovation by challenging existing processes and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, resilience and service performance.
- Lead improvement initiatives from concept through implementation, ensuring measurable business benefits are delivered.
- Utilise operational metrics and KPIs to monitor performance, identify trends and support informed decision-making.
- Issue Resolution & Risk Management
- Lead the resolution of critical supply chain issues including line stops, supplier shortages, freight disruptions, system constraints and scheduling challenges.
- Conduct structured root cause analysis to identify underlying issues and implement sustainable corrective actions that prevent recurrence.
- Support commercial discussions relating to supply risk, contracts and recovery planning where required.
- Business Partnership
- Develop strong working relationships with key internal stakeholders including Purchasing, Quality, Manufacturing, Legal, Aftersales and McLaren Special Operations (MSO).
- Ensure Material Control & Planning requirements are represented throughout business planning and operational decision-making.
- Strategic Planning & Financial Management
- Develop and implement long-term material planning strategies aligned to future business growth and product plans.
- Ensure the function has the appropriate systems, processes, resources and capability to support future operational requirements.
- Analyse complex operational and financial data to support forecasting, investment decisions and cost optimisation initiatives.
What You'll Bring
We’re looking for a highly capable supply chain leader who combines strategic thinking with strong operational execution. You will ideally have:
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent relevant industry experience.
- Significant experience in Supply Chain, Material Planning or Logistics within a manufacturing environment (automotive experience desirable).
- Proven leadership experience, including leading teams through organisational change and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Demonstrated experience managing complex, end-to-end global supply chains.
- Strong analytical capability with experience interpreting operational and financial data to drive decision-making.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence across all levels of the organisation.
- Strong commercial awareness and negotiation capability.
- High proficiency in ERP systems (SAP preferred) and Microsoft Office applications.
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.
Material Control & Supply Planning 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 Material Control & Supply Planning Manager in Woking
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Logistics and supply chain are all about networking, so hit up those trade shows and local meetups. Places like the UK's Logistics and Supply Chain conference can be goldmines for connecting with potential employers like McLaren Group and learning about the latest trends in the industry.
✨Leverage Online Communities
Join forums and LinkedIn groups specifically for logistics professionals. Share your insights and ask questions to get noticed. Being active in these spaces can help you establish credibility and might just lead to an opportunity at McLaren Group!
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Portfolio
Even if it’s a full-time gig, having a portfolio can really set you apart. Include case studies or projects that demonstrate your understanding of supply chain management, logistics software, or solving operational challenges. You’d be surprised at how much this can impress hiring managers.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don't forget the power of applying directly through our website! A lot of companies like McLaren Group keep job postings exclusive to their sites. This way, you can easily keep track of your applications and ensure your profile is in front of the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Material Control & Supply Planning Manager in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:In your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight your understanding of logistics and supply chain management principles. Mention any relevant courses you've taken or tools you've used, like inventory management software or data analysis platforms, to showcase your skills and keep up with best practices in the industry.
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your previous work experience, remember to use numbers wherever possible. Did you improve delivery times by a specific percentage? Did you help reduce costs? These kinds of quantified achievements not only catch the eye but also demonstrate your capability in the logistics sector.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to McLaren Group:This is your chance to really connect with the team at McLaren Group. In your cover letter, express why you're passionate about supply chain logistics and how your goals align with the company’s mission. A little personalisation goes a long way!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you've got any certifications related to logistics or supply chain management—like APICS or Six Sigma—make sure you flaunt them! These show that you're committed to your professional development and can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at McLaren Group
✨Know Your Logistics Tools
Make sure you're familiar with key logistics software and tools like SAP or Oracle ERP. These are often used in the industry, and being able to demonstrate your knowledge or experience with them can really set you apart during your interview with McLaren Group.
✨Perfect Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect to tackle scenarios that showcase your problem-solving skills. Think about past experiences where you've had to optimise supply chains or handle logistics challenges. Have a few examples ready to discuss how you made decisions that led to improvements.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Supply chain roles heavily rely on teamwork and communication. Be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with others in previous roles. Maybe share a time when you coordinated with a team to resolve a logistical hiccup. This can show McLaren Group that you're a team player!
✨Understand the Big Picture
Be ready to talk about the broader logistics and supply chain trends. Having insights into current challenges in the industry, like sustainability or lead times, can impress the interviewers at McLaren Group. Show them you’re not just focused on the day-to-day but also have a strategic mindset!
