Job Title
Director of Manufacturing Launch
Ref #
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 policies
  • A 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. 

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