At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead supply chain execution for innovative AI vehicle projects and ensure seamless collaboration across teams.
- Company: Wayve, a pioneering developer of Embodied AI technology for automated driving.
- Benefits: Hybrid working policy, flexible hours, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Other info: Exciting career growth opportunities in a dynamic and inclusive workplace.
- Why this job: Join a fast-paced environment and make a real impact in the future of autonomous driving.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in supply chain management with strong analytical and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Founded in 2017, Wayve is the leading developer of Embodied AI technology. Our advanced AI software and foundation models enable vehicles to perceive, understand, and navigate any complex environment, enhancing the usability and safety of automated driving systems. Our vision is to create autonomy that propels the world forward. Our intelligent, mapless, and hardware-agnostic AI products are designed for automakers, accelerating the transition from assisted to automated driving. In our fast-paced environment big problems ignite us—we embrace uncertainty, leaning into complex challenges to unlock groundbreaking solutions. We aim high and stay humble in our pursuit of excellence, constantly learning and evolving as we pave the way for a smarter, safer future. At Wayve, your contributions matter. We value diversity, embrace new perspectives, and foster an inclusive work environment; we back each other to deliver impact.
The Supply Chain Programme Manager is a critical cross-functional role responsible for owning end-to-end supply chain execution across assigned programmes and product builds at Wayve. This includes prototype development, new product introduction (NPI), and supporting fleet launches. This role serves as the primary Supply Chain lead ensuring meeting programme deliverables, supplier compliance, and seamless coordination across Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, and external partners. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-moving, hardware-driven environment and brings both strategic thinking and hands-on execution capability. The role works cross-functionally with Engineering, Planning, Sourcing, Logistics, Finance, Legal, and Suppliers, and partners closely with global upfitters and third-party integration partners (spanning the US, UK, and other regions) to ensure vehicle and programme timelines are met.
Programme Ownership & Cross-Functional Coordination
- Act as the primary Supply Chain lead for assigned programmes or internal product builds (e.g., prototypes, new product introduction, subassembly).
- Own end-to-end material readiness to support programme milestones across R&D, Engineering, Operations, and Manufacturing.
- Collaborate closely with Engineering, Planning, Sourcing, Logistics, Finance, and Suppliers to align supply chain activities with programme timelines.
- Act as the strategic liaison between hardware engineering and the procurement teams, managing demand aggregation.
Material Planning & Readiness
- Translate engineering BOMs and aggregate Technical Programme Manager demand into procurement plans.
- Identify long-lead items and critical path components early in the product lifecycle.
- Track material status through build phases and escalate gaps or risks proactively.
Programme Managing Upfitter / Partner
- Serve as the primary programme manager for upfitter and partner relationships, ensuring alignment across all stakeholders.
- Drive upfitter/partner activities to ensure vehicles meet overall programme timelines and quality standards.
- Proactively identify and resolve issues impacting vehicle build readiness, coordinating between internal teams and external partners.
- Maintain clear communication cadence with upfitters and stakeholders, tracking milestones and escalating risks as needed.
Supply Chain KPI Management
- Define, track, and report on key supply chain performance metrics including, material availability, total cost saving, inventory cycle count accuracy.
- Establish programme-level supply chain dashboards and reporting cadences to provide visibility to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
- Analyse KPI trends to identify root causes of supply chain underperformance and drive corrective actions with suppliers and internal teams.
- Leverage KPI insights to continuously improve supply chain processes, reduce waste, and increase overall programme efficiency.
About you
In order to set you up for success as a Programme Manager at Wayve, we’re looking for the following skills and experience.
Essential
- 10+ years of progressive experience in supply chain programme management, NPI, and hardware operations.
- Strong understanding of BOM management, material planning, and procurement processes.
- Automotive, consumer, hardware, or robotic industry experience preferred.
- Familiarity with supplier compliance frameworks including TISAX, ISO standards, and ethical sourcing requirements.
- Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional programmes across Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and risk management skills.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management capabilities.
- Ability to travel internally as needed.
Desirable Compliance and Risk Management
- Collaborating with Supply Chain Team Leads to ensure direct purchasing, indirect purchasing, and logistics suppliers are meeting compliance requirements, including legal, environmental, regulatory (e.g., TISAX, ISO), and ethical sourcing standards.
- Partner with legal and compliance teams to ensure appropriate supplier agreements, NDAs, and risk controls are in place.
- Develop contingency plans for supply disruptions and actively manage supply chain risks.
This is a full-time, office-based role located in London, depending on the candidate's place of residence. At Wayve we want the best of all worlds so we operate a hybrid working policy that combines time together in our offices and workshops to fuel innovation, culture, relationships and learning, and time spent working from home. We operate core working hours so you can determine the schedule that works best for you and your team. Wayve is committed to creating an inclusive interview experience. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to participate fully in our interview process, please let us know. We understand that everyone has a unique set of skills and experiences and that not everyone will meet all of the requirements listed above. If you’re passionate about self-driving cars and think you have what it takes to make a positive impact on the world, we encourage you to apply. At Wayve we're committed to creating a diverse, fair and respectful culture that is inclusive of everyone based on their unique skills and perspectives, and regardless of sex, race, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, citizenship, marital, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding) or any other basis as protected by applicable law.
Programme Manager, Supply Chain in London employer: Wayve
Wayve is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture, where software engineers can thrive while contributing to cutting-edge AI solutions. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, Wayve offers opportunities for professional development and collaboration in a hybrid work environment, allowing for flexibility and work-life balance. Located in a vibrant tech hub, employees benefit from a supportive community and access to industry-leading resources.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Manager, Supply Chain in London
✨Join Supply Chain Meetups
Get yourself out there by attending supply chain meetups and industry events. It's a great way to meet fellow professionals, learn about trends, and maybe even hear about job openings before they’re posted online.
✨Show Off Your Skills on LinkedIn
Don’t just sit back and wait for opportunities! Post insights or articles on LinkedIn about supply chain challenges or solutions you’re passionate about. This not only showcases your expertise but can catch the eye of recruiters looking for someone like you.
✨Engage with Supply Chain Communities
Dive into online communities related to supply chain operations like forums or groups on Reddit and LinkedIn. Engaging in discussions can help you network, get advice, and you might even stumble upon some hidden job opportunities.
✨Apply through Our Website
When you spot a position at Wayve, make sure to apply through our website directly. It's often the quickest way to get your application in front of the right people and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role of Programme Manager, Supply Chain.
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Manager, Supply Chain in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in supply chain operations. Whether it’s managing logistics or coordinating with suppliers, we want to see examples of how you've navigated the complexities of the supply chain. Concrete achievements, like reducing costs or improving delivery times, will definitely catch our eye!
Quantify Your Impact:When listing your previous roles on your CV, go for numbers! Mention percentages or actual figures where possible—like how much you've improved efficiency or reduced waste. It's all about showing us the tangible impact you've made in your past positions in supply chain operations.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, don’t just regurgitate your CV. Instead, connect your experiences specifically to the role at Wayve. Share why you're passionate about supply chain operations and how this full-time role aligns with your career goals—I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear that!
Research and Reflect:Before you apply, take some time to research Wayve and its supply chain operations. Reflect on how your skills and experiences can fit into their operations. Being able to discuss their challenges and how you can contribute to solving them in your application will really make you stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wayve
✨Know Your Basics in Supply Chain Management
Make sure you've got a solid grasp of key supply chain concepts like demand forecasting, inventory management, and logistics. We could be quizzed on these during technical rounds, so brush up on any software tools commonly used in the industry like SAP or Oracle. This knowledge will help us show we can hit the ground running!
✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss real-world scenarios where you've used data analysis to solve supply chain challenges. If you've got experience with tools like Excel or Tableau, get ready to talk about how you've used these to optimise processes or improve efficiencies. Employers love seeing that we can turn data into actionable insights!
✨Highlight Your Teamwork and Project Management Skills
In a full-time role, collaboration is key. Think of examples where you've worked on cross-functional teams or managed projects. Sharing how you navigated challenges while working with diverse groups will show that we can thrive in a dynamic environment like at Wayve.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Wayve
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Wayve might be facing, whether it's sustainability, supplier relationships, or global disruptions. Being prepared to discuss these topics shows that we're not only informed but also genuinely interested in how we can contribute to their success. That’s a big plus in any interview!