At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and optimise manufacturing operations for high-quality vehicle components.
- Company: Join McLaren Composites Technology Centre, a leader in innovative automotive solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, enhanced pension, private medical insurance, and more.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and a supportive workplace culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in manufacturing with strong leadership and engineering skills.
Working within the site leadership team of the McLaren Composites Technology Centre’s based in Sheffield/Rotherham, reporting to the Plant Director. The head of series manufacturing will provide strategic and operational leadership of manufacturing operations to deliver safe, high‐quality vehicle component production, interacting at all phases from concept design for manufacturing, through to series production and aftersales.
Own manufacturing performance in terms of cost, quality and delivery by developing and implementing best‐practice processes, equipment and facilities, and driving continuous improvement excellence for series production, model‐year and running changes. Lead, develop and motivate a high‐performing team to ensure robust problem solving, efficient resource utilisation and alignment with wider business objectives.
What You'll Do
- Maintain a safety first culture and ensure compliance with H&S standards across all manufacturing operations.
- Facility management: own maintenance, replacement and lifecycle management of existing tooling and production CAPEX.
- Site layout ownership: design, optimise and maintain site layout to maximise flow, safety, ergonomics and space utilisation.
- Process layout ownership: standardise and control process layouts to support consistent, high quality series production and efficient running changes.
- Production capacity planning: plan capacity, staffing and resources to meet current and forecast demand, including ramp up scenarios and multi shift operation.
- Deliver manufacturing infrastructure and resourcing to meet productivity, quality, availability and OEE targets.
- Continuous improvement (from Job 1 onwards): lead initiatives to reduce scrap, shorten cycle times, simplify BOMs, improve product quality and increase equipment availability.
- Champion Lean, Six Sigma/DMAIC, TPM, Kaizen and appropriate automation/technology adoption to drive improvements.
- Maintenance & reliability strategy: oversee preventative maintenance, spares and reliability programmes to maintain equipment availability.
- Quality assurance: ensure systems, fixtures and processes meet product quality and customer specifications.
- Supplier coordination: work with cross functional teams and suppliers to secure parts quality, lead times and supplier readiness for series production.
- Commercial & budgeting: undertake costing modelling, prepare CAPEX proposals and manage budgets, forecasts and cost reduction activities.
- Problem solving & governance: lead root cause analysis, ensure timely corrective/preventive actions and report KPIs and risks to stakeholders.
- People leadership: lead, coach and develop the manufacturing support team, set clear objectives and foster a collaborative, accountable culture.
What You'll Bring
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:
- Highly motivated, resilient and assertive with a pragmatic, data‐ and process‐driven approach.
- Dynamic and adaptable; able to respond to challenging situations with innovative, practical solutions.
- Clear and effective communicator (written and oral) able to present technical information and influence at all levels.
- Strong team player and people leader: encourages, empowers and develops colleagues; builds trust and positive working relationships.
- Logical thinker with the ability to balance strategic priorities and day‐to‐day operational objectives.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:
- Degree in Engineering or related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
- Minimum 10 years in manufacturing engineering/operations; at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
- Proven experience in vehicle or complex assembly manufacturing, launches, model‐year and running changes, and cross‐functional delivery.
- Experience delivering a manufacturing engineering, maintenance, or similar function across multi‐shift operations.
- Strong technical knowledge of manufacturing systems, equipment, facilities, tooling lifecycle and regulatory/safety compliance to enable timely, well‐informed decisions.
- Demonstrable experience in capacity planning, production scheduling, maintenance strategy, supplier quality management and OEE improvement.
- Track record of driving CI/automation using DMAIC, Lean, Six Sigma, TPM or equivalent.
- Financial literacy: budget ownership, CAPEX process, business case development and costing modelling.
- Excellent communicator and influencer; able to manage multiple stakeholders and present performance and risk to senior leadership.
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
Head of Series Manufacturing in Sheffield employer: McLaren
McLaren in Woking is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we provide comprehensive career development opportunities alongside a flexible benefits package, ensuring our team members thrive both personally and professionally in a stimulating environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Series Manufacturing in Sheffield
✨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, 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 Head of Series Manufacturing in Sheffield
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 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
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with McLaren, 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 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.
