Build Manager

DRVN Automotive Group; Thruxton; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days holidays

Salary sacrifice pension

Employee referral scheme

Job summary

DRVN Automotive Group seeks an experienced Build Manager to establish and lead the Boreham Motorworks vehicle assembly facility in the Thruxton area. You will translate engineering into safe, repeatable build processes and oversee hands‑on training to create a productive, high‑quality operation.

You will shape the facility, define assembly standards, manage build deliveries and drive continuous improvement across manufacturing, quality and supply chain in a specialist automotive environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in automotive manufacturing or vehicle assembly.
• Strong leadership of technicians in a low-volume production environment.
• Experience translating engineering requirements into practical build sequences.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational planning and readiness for the Boreham Motorworks vehicle assembly facility in the Thruxton area.
• Define layout, vehicle flow, workstations, tooling and quality-control points with Manufacturing Engineering and Operations.
• Develop readiness plans with risks, dependencies and actions to meet programme launch dates.
• Lead day-to-day prototype, pre-production and production vehicle builds and ensure quality, safety and on-time delivery.
• Train, coach and develop technicians; build competency and establish robust assembly processes for early production.

Job description

The DRVN Automotive Group are seeking an experienced Build Manager to lead the establishment and operational readiness of the new Boreham Motorworks vehicle assembly facility in the Thruxton area. This role will be central to turning engineering definition into safe, repeatable and high-quality vehicle builds as Boreham Motorworks moves into low-volume production.

Working as part of DRVN Automotive Group and closely with the Boreham Motorworks programme, the successful candidate will help shape the facility, define assembly processes and standards, oversee vehicle build delivery, and personally undertake hands‑on training in the assembly of Boreham Motorworks vehicles. They will use this detailed product and process knowledge to establish the Thruxton build operation and then train, coach and develop the technicians responsible for assembling Boreham Motorworks vehicles. Working closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Engineering, Programme Management and suppliers, this is a highly hands‑on leadership role requiring both production discipline and the flexibility to operate within a specialist automotive environment.

Overview of the Role

• Holidays: 33 days includes Bank Holidays
• Salary Sacrifice Pension
• Employee Referral Scheme

Company Overview

DRVN Automotive Group is a specialist automotive group focused on the design, engineering, manufacture and delivery of distinctive performance and luxury vehicle programmes. Within the Group, Boreham Motorworks is the high‑performance road, race and rally brand operating through an official licence agreement with Ford Motor Company to develop and manufacture a series of historically significant Ford performance icons.

Boreham Motorworks identity is rooted in Ford’s historic Boreham competition lineage. Current programmes include the Ford Escort Alan Mann 68 Edition, Ford Escort Mk1 RS and Ford RS200, combining authentic heritage with OEM‑level engineering, modern development methods and specialist low‑volume craftsmanship.

As DRVN Automotive Group establishes the Boreham Motorworks manufacturing capability in the Thruxton area, this role offers a rare opportunity to help shape the facility, assembly processes, training standards and production culture from the outset, while contributing directly to the growth of one of the Group’s most exciting vehicle programmes.

Key Responsibilities

Facility Planning & Manufacturing Readiness

• Lead operational planning and readiness for the new Boreham Motorworks vehicle assembly facility in the Thruxton area.
• Work with Manufacturing Engineering and Operations to define layout, vehicle flow, workstations, storage, tooling, equipment, utilities and quality‑control points.
• Support specification, procurement, installation, commissioning and validation of equipment, tools, fixtures and assembly aids.
• Develop readiness plans, identifying risks, dependencies and actions to meet programme launch dates.
• Ensure safe, efficient, repeatable low‑volume assembly with flexibility for specialist vehicle programmes.
• Implement visual management, 5S, material presentation and workplace organisation standards.

Vehicle Build Management

• Lead day‑to‑day prototype, pre‑production and production vehicle builds.
• Translate engineering requirements into practical build sequences, standard operations and technician instructions.
• Plan build activities, staffing, workstation readiness, tooling and materials against programme priorities.
• Deliver vehicles to agreed quality, safety, craftsmanship, timing and technical standards.
• Maintain a hands‑on presence and support technicians with complex assembly concerns.
• Coordinate build‑issue identification, escalation and resolution with Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality and Supply Chain.
• Capture build concerns, lessons and improvements for future builds and production processes.
• Ensure engineering changes are understood and correctly implemented.

Boreham Vehicle Assembly Training

• Complete structured, hands‑on training in full Boreham Motorworks vehicle assembly before assuming production build leadership.
• Develop detailed knowledge of build sequences, assembly methods, tooling, torque, bonding, fit and finish, quality standards and critical build characteristics.
• Work with Engineering, development‑build and manufacturing teams to understand assembly from prototype through production.
• Translate learning into robust processes, standard operations, work instructions and technician training for Thruxton.
• Maintain practical assembly expertise to support early builds, coach technicians, resolve concerns and improve methods.
• Support recruitment, onboarding and development of vehicle build technicians as the operation grows.
• Develop training plans, skills matrices and assembly competency requirements.
• Train, coach and assess technicians using knowledge and standards gained through the manager’s own assembly training.
• Establish best practice for fastening, torque control, bonding, fit and finish, handling, inspection and rework.
• Mentor technicians through early builds and the transition to controlled, repeatable production.
• Build an accountable, quality‑focused culture with clear communication and ownership.

Process, Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and maintain work instructions, process sheets, build standards and assembly documentation with Manufacturing Engineering.
• Support PFMEA, Control Plans, quality gates and manufacturing risk assessments.
• Work with Quality to establish in‑process inspection, traceability and end‑of‑line controls.
• Lead or support structured problem‑solving, root‑cause investigations and corrective actions.
• Monitor performance to reduce rework and build times and improve right‑first‑time quality and consistency.
• Control and maintain tooling, calibrated equipment and assembly aids.
• Apply lessons across programmes to improve facility, process and team capability.
• Act as the build and assembly interface across Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Procurement and Programme Management.
• Participate in design, build and readiness reviews to address manufacturing requirements early.
• Coordinate parts, consumables, tooling and equipment availability with Supply Chain and Procurement.
• Report facility readiness, build status, risks, issues and recovery actions to programme and senior stakeholders.
• Support supplier visits, tooling reviews and component trials to protect build readiness.
• Deliver programme quality, cost, timing, safety and vehicle build objectives.

Health, Safety & Workplace Standards

• Maintain a safe working environment across vehicle build and assembly activities.
• Support risk assessments, safe working practices and controls for equipment, tooling and processes.
• Ensure technicians are trained and competent to use tools, equipment and processes safely.
• Uphold high standards of housekeeping, workplace organisation and facility presentation.

Key Performance Indicators

• Facility and production readiness against programme milestones.
• Build plan adherence and on‑time completion.
• Right‑first‑time quality, defect levels and rework reduction.
• Build Manager assembly‑training completion and technician competency against skills matrices.
• Timely closure of build concerns and corrective actions.
• Health, safety, workplace organisation and process compliance.
• Significant automotive manufacturing, vehicle build or assembly experience, typically 8+ years depending on depth.
• Proven hands‑on leadership of technicians, production teams or specialist vehicle build teams.
• Experience taking vehicle programmes from prototype or pre‑production through launch and controlled production.
• Practical understanding of complete vehicle assembly, sequencing, tooling, fastening, torque control, fit and finish and production quality.
• Experience developing assembly standards, work instructions and repeatable manufacturing processes.
• Strong build problem‑solving skills and cross‑functional working with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing Engineering and Supply Chain.
• Experience planning resources, workloads and builds to meet programme timings.
• Confident leadership and the ability to train, coach and develop technicians of varying experience.
• Strong communication, organisation and stakeholder‑management skills.
• A practical, calm, solutions‑focused approach in a fast‑moving specialist automotive environment.
• Establishing, commissioning or launching vehicle assembly facilities, production areas or manufacturing lines.
• Low‑volume, performance, luxury, motorsport, coachbuilt or specialist vehicle manufacturing.
• Complete vehicle builds or launches covering chassis, powertrain, electrical, interior and exterior systems.
• Knowledge of PFMEA, Control Plans, structured problem‑solving and production quality systems.
• Lean manufacturing, 5S and continuous improvement.
• New‑product introduction, production ramp‑up and engineering‑change implementation.
• Heritage‑inspired, continuation or high‑performance vehicle programmes.

Qualifications

• Degree, HNC/HND, apprenticeship or equivalent professional experience in Automotive, Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Leadership, manufacturing, quality or health and safety qualifications would be advantageous.

Right to Work

Please note that this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Right‑to‑work checks will be carried out in accordance with Home Office requirements.

Equality & Inclusion Statement

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.