General Assembly Team Leader in Woking

As a Process Area Lead supporting McLaren’s Production Line, you’ll lead operational excellence in a low-volume, high-precision manufacturing environment where craftsmanship and quality are paramount. You’ll oversee multiple process areas, driving performance against tightly defined KPIs while embedding lean practices and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Your leadership will directly influence the delivery of McLaren’s most exclusive vehicles—often produced in single or low double-digit volumes per variant. You’ll play a key role in strategic decision-making, process standardisation, and team development, ensuring all operational activities align with McLaren’s core values and long-term goals for quality, delivery, and innovation.

• Lead and inspire cross-functional teams within McLaren’s production environment, fostering a culture of precision, continuous improvement, and operational excellence across all low volume manufacturing process areas.
• Operational Oversight & Compliance - Ensure strict adherence to McLaren’s manufacturing processes, Health & Safety standards, and core values. Champion lean methodologies and 5S principles through regular audits and process reviews, maintaining world-class standards in a high-performance, low-volume setting.
• Quality-Driven Culture - Establish and reinforce a quality-first mindset, embedding robust feedback loops between operators and senior leadership. Drive continuous improvement initiatives that elevate build quality and reduce Non-Conformance (NCP) across bespoke and Ultimate Series operations.
• Process Innovation & Layout Optimization - Collaborate with engineering, launch, and production planning teams to refine operational layouts and workflows. Prioritise safety, ergonomics, and build efficiency in the context of limited-run, high-specification vehicles.
• Team Development & Capability Building - Mentor and develop Process Leads and Technicians, particularly those supporting Ultimate Series builds. Implement targeted training programs and maintain a dynamic skills matrix to ensure readiness for complex, low-volume production demands.
• Strategic Headcount & Budget Management - Partner with department heads to manage staffing levels and budget allocations. Contribute to CapEx planning by identifying investment needs in tooling, technology, and infrastructure that support Ultimate Series production goals.
• Continuous Improvement & Waste Reduction - Lead key initiatives aimed at reducing waste, enhancing productivity, and achieving consistent delivery of operational targets. Leverage insights from launch and motorsport teams to refine build processes for bespoke and Ultimate Series vehicles.

Essential Functional / Technical Skills

• Understanding of Lean methodologies (Kaizen, 5S, Kanban) and Six Sigma principles to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and maintain consistent quality.
• Extensive experience in process optimisation, problem-solving, and change management in fast-paced environments (Ideally Automotive, manufacturing or supply chain).
• Proven track record in leadership roles with strategic oversight and operational direction.
• Proven ability to make sound and logical decisions.
• Experience of working under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Demonstrable ability to manage multiple Teams, providing both strategic leadership and operational direction.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret KPI trends and develop actionable strategies to drive improvements.

Personal Attributes / Competencies

• Strong leadership qualities with the ability to inspire, challenge, and influence teams and stakeholders across multiple levels of the organisation.
• Excellent communicator, skilled in leading cross-functional teams and fostering collaboration.
• Strategic mindset, capable of translating high-level business objectives into actionable plans within the operational area.
• Demonstrates integrity, accountability, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• An individual who can demonstrate and embrace our McLaren behaviours and values.
• Displays personal and professional integrity and accountability.
• Experienced in risk management and implementing proactive measures to ensure process stability and safety.
• Results-oriented, focused on delivering measurable improvements in efficiency, cost, and quality.
• Skilled in motivating, coaching, and mentoring teams to achieve high performance, while managing conflicts and fostering a positive work environment.
• Competent in coaching and mentoring teams, developing future leaders within the organisation.
• Exceptional emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills, allowing you to navigate and resolve conflicts, motivate teams, and foster collaboration across departments.

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