Head of Supplier Quality & Development; Electrical and Powertrain

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Supplier Quality & Development (SQD) to lead the Electrical and Powertrain commodity group.

This role is critical in ensuring the quality, capability, and performance of our supplier base across the full product lifecycle—from concept and supplier nomination through industrialisation, ramp-up, series production, and aftersales.

You will provide leadership to a team of SQD Commodity Managers (and their associated teams), each responsible for a portfolio of suppliers and components, and act as the strategic interface between engineering, procurement, manufacturing and supplier partners.

As the Head of SQD, you will report directly to the McLaren SQD Director.

• Define and execute the SQD strategy for Electrical and Powertrain commodities in alignment with wider SQD and McLaren’s business objectives.
• Represent McLaren SQD in senior internal and supplier reviews
• Provide escalation point for critical issues impacting quality, delivery and industrialisation of Electrical and Powertrain commodities (NPI and Series)
• Deputise for SQD Director where appropriate
• Develop and manage budgets and resources to deliver departmental objectives
• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing team of SQD Commodity Managers to:
• Drive and monitor teams to ensure delivery of their KPIs (QCR containment, countermeasure and closure, PPAP maturation, nomination audits and forecast capacity validation etc.).
• Work with Cross Functional partners to drive collaborative behaviours to achieve optimum outcome for McLaren Profitability.
• Ensure all potential supplier sourcing is well researched (robust nomination audits, review of current supplier performance etc.) to build and maintain a competent supply base.
• Ensure supplier compliance with SQM
• Supporting Supplier selection & development processes to achieve a self-sufficient supply base IATF 16949.
• Ensure Non IATF
  16949 suppliers deliver their certification qualification to the approved nomination plan.
• Support the implementation of APQP for all new tooled parts.
• Support Robust Manufacturing Feasibility strategy deployment and reviews.
• Ensure that allocated suppliers meet launch / delivery commitments in line with APQP.
• Drive Supplier / Component Risk Assessments and develop risk mitigation actions (in both NPI and series)
• Identify critical suppliers / components (in both NPI and series) that require full cross functional team engagement with the supplier.
• Provide supplier progress reporting to Procurement and SQD Program teams for: APQP open issues, PPAP part pedigree prior to each build phase and PPAP delivery forecast / actual confirmation.
• Track and manage PPAP part approval to agreed delivery plan.
• Manage Non PPAP part Concession process to ensure “Plan for every part” is established to support the builds.
• Deliver Quality & Capacity Verification in line with MDP targets.
• Drive Major open issue resolution at Key suppliers, to ensure Supplier Senior Management team are fully engaged in the resolution process.
• Develop improvement strategies for poorly performing suppliers and ensure they are delivered.
• Completion of annual supplier manufacturing site audits in line with schedule
• Complete new and legacy asset audit/validation
• Develop ‘MAL-Q’ Workplans for suppliers to achieve MAL-Q accreditation
• Conduct Supplier Target Setting (for NPI and series)
• Manage Supplier Escalation Process / actions within each escalated supplier
• Manage FCR countermeasure actions within supplier
• On site validation of all PCAs implemented by supplier
• Manage resolution of supplier liable QNs and QCRs (from D4-D8)
• Manage/Monitor formal CSL1 & CSL2 Process active in supplier
• Ensure supplier ‘quality history reports’ are accurate and are fed into commodity strategy and nomination processes for incumbent suppliers
• Manage relocation and/or re-source projects (supplier PCRs) post J1+90
• Lead on site MAL response to ‘emergency’ issues (e.g. factory fires, natural disasters, insolvency etc

• Significant senior leadership experience leading Supplier Quality teams at Senior Manager level or higher in Automotive OEMs.
• Significant experience at managing and leading teams and…