Manufacturing Launch Director

McLaren Racing; Old Woking; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Bank holidays

Pension scheme

Private medical insurance

Life insurance

Discretionary bonus

Employee assistance programme

Sabbatical after two years

Wellbeing initiatives

Shopping discounts

Parental leave

Financial & mortgage advice

Job summary

McLaren Automotive is seeking a Manufacturing Launch Director to direct the industrialisation and launch of new automotive programmes from pre-production through full-rate manufacturing. You will lead cross-functional teams to ensure safety, compliance, on-time delivery, and adherence to budget and quality standards across the launch lifecycle.

The role requires strategic leadership, risk mitigation, and close collaboration with Engineering, PMO, Vehicle Line Management, Quality, Supply Chain,

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop Launch Managers and programme teams.
• Create a high-performance, accountable culture focused on delivery and continuous improvement.
• KPIs and performance tracking for launches.
• Achieve Successful Start of Production (SOP).
• Ensure on-time launch delivery and budget adherence.
• Monitor customer launch scorecards and quality metrics.
• Drive First Time Through (FTT) performance.
• Minimise scrap and rework levels.
• Oversee production ramp-up and OEE during launch.
• Support customer warranty and quality performance.

Job description

The Manufacturing Launch Director is responsible for leading the successful industrialisation and launch of new automotive programmes from Business Release and pre-production builds through to full-rate manufacturing. The role ensures that all new product introductions (NPI) are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards while meeting customer expectations and business objectives. Working cross-functionally with Engineering, PMO, Vehicle Line Management, Quality, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Finance, and Customer teams, the Manufacturing Launch Director provides strategic leadership throughout the launch lifecycle, mitigating risk and ensuring operational readiness for production. The Manufacturing Launch Director is responsible for promoting a strong safety culture and ensuring compliance with all UK Health & Safety legislation, environmental regulations, company policies, and automotive industry standards.

What You'll Do,

• Lead, coach, and develop Launch Managers and programme teams.
• Create a high-performance, accountable culture focused on delivery and continuous improvement.
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Successful Start of Production (SOP) achievement
• On-time launch delivery
• Budget adherence
• Customer launch scorecards
• First Time Through (FTT) performance
• Scrap and rework levels
• Production ramp-up achievement
• Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) during launch
• Customer warranty and quality performance

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.

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