Head of Strategy, KPI and Governance

What to Expect

The Head of Strategy, Performance and Governance leads the strategic planning, performance measurement, and governance framework for McLaren's Supplier Quality Development function. This role ensures that SQD activities are aligned with business objectives, strategically focused, data-driven, and continuously improving.

The Head of Strategy, Performance and Governance translates McLaren's quality ambitions and business priorities into actionable SQD strategies, measurable performance indicators, and robust governance mechanisms. This role provides the analytical insight, strategic direction, and process discipline required to manage supplier quality effectively across multiple programmes, commodities, and supplier partnerships.

The position requires strong analytical capability, strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and the ability to influence cross-functional teams through evidence-based insights and clear governance frameworks.

Strategic Planning and Direction

• Define and communicate SQD s strategic direction in alignment with McLaren s business objectives, product portfolio, and quality targets
• Develop long-range strategic plans for supplier quality management, including capability development, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Identify emerging quality risks, technology trends, and market opportunities that influence supplier quality strategy
• Translate business priorities into SQD resource allocation, capability development, and investment decisions
• Support Executive Committee (EXCO) and senior stakeholders with strategic supplier quality intelligence and recommendations

KPI Framework and Performance Management

• Design, implement, and maintain a comprehensive KPI framework for SQD activities across suppliers, commodities, and programmes to enable visibility of supplier and departmental performance
• Develop improvements to existing supplier quality metrics and define new methodologies
• Establish targets, thresholds, and escalation mechanisms for quality performance indicators
• Provide regular performance reporting, trend analysis, and insight to SQD leadership and cross-functional stakeholders
• Drive data integrity, system accuracy, and reporting consistency across SQD metrics and tools

Governance and Process Management

• Establish and maintain governance frameworks for supplier quality activities, including decision rights, escalation processes, and compliance mechanisms
• Define and document SQD processes, standards, work instructions, and quality procedures aligned to McLaren s wider business processes and Quality Management System (QMS)
• Lead the implementation of governance forums, quality reviews, and decision-making structures (e.g., Supplier Quality Reviews, SQD Steering Committees)
• Ensure compliance with IATF
  16949, ISO standards and McLaren s Supplier Quality Manual (SQM) and implement industry best practices where appropriate
• Support internal and external audit readiness, quality certifications, and regulatory compliance activities

Data Analytics and Insight Generation

• Lead data analytics initiatives to identify quality trends, root causes, and improvement opportunities across the supply base
• Develop dashboards, visualizations, and reporting tools to provide data driven and actionable insights to SQD teams and stakeholders on core SQD activities (eg. APQP, PPAP, PSWs etc)
• Conduct risk assessments, scenario planning, and predictive analytics to anticipate supplier quality challenges
• Identify and quantify the business impact of supplier quality issues

Supplier Performance and Capability Development

• Define supplier performance scorecards, rating methodologies, and capability assessment frameworks
• Identify supplier capability gaps and recommend interventions, training, or development programmes
• Support supplier selection, nomination, and industrialization processes with supplier quality strategy input

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Product Development, Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, and Programme Management teams to align SQD strategy with business needs
• Represent SQD in strategic forums, transformational initiatives etc
• Influence stakeholders through clear communication, evidence-based analysis, and strategic recommendations
• Support integration of supplier quality intelligence into wider business case development, programme planning, and supplier relationship management

Continuous Improvement and Innovation

• Champion continuous improvement methodologies within SQD
• Identify opportunities to enhance SQD processes, tools, systems, and capabilities
• Benchmark against industry best practices and introduce innovative approaches to supplier quality management with Mc Laren
• Foster a culture of accountability, excellence, and continuous improvement within SQD teams

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, develop, and inspire direct team members and those within the wider SQD department
• Set clear expectations, priorities, and standards for delivery, quality, and…