Director of Manufacturing Launch

Job Title

Director of Manufacturing Launch

 #

59546

Date posted

Saturday, September 26, 2026

Country

United Kingdom

Location

Woking

Business area

Manufacturing

Department

New Model Launch

Position level

2

Working time

Full Time

Contract type

Permanent

Working pattern

9am - 6pm Monday to Friday

What to Expect
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
Programme Leadership Ensure robust virtual series and gateway governance with Vehicle Line Director peers.

Manufacturing Readiness Risk & Issue Management Quality & Compliance Leadership 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

Key Financial Measures
What You'll Bring
Knowledge, skills & experience:

Essential:

Desirable:

IOSH or NEBOSH Health & Safety qualification.
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 policiesA range of wellbeing initiatives, such as employee assistance programme and free financial & mortgage advice
Who Are We?
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.