Job Title
Vehicle Line Quality Manager
Ref #
37920
Date posted
Friday, November 3, 2023
Country
United Kingdom
Location
Woking
Business area
Quality
Department
Quality Operations
Position level
E - Management
Working time
Full Time
Contract type
Permanent
Working pattern
8:30am - 5:30pm Monday to Friday
Background

No restraints. No limitations. We don’t simply push boundaries. We completely rethink them. McLaren Automotive exists to create breath-taking performance road cars.

With innovation at the core of all we do, every challenge starts with the same question. How can we do it better? This restless spirit runs right through McLaren Automotive. And the search for perfection is evident in everything we do.

Purpose of Role

The Vehicle Line Quality Manager (VLQM) is responsible for the comprehensive analysis of external customer quality metrics, identifying the topics which contribute towards both customer satisfaction and corporate cost performance, and leading the vehicle line quality agenda.  The VLQM is additionally responsible for driving McLaren Product Audit (MPA) results to target for the vehicle line, and ensuring alignment between internal and external customers & standards.
 
The role involves collaboration with other teams across the business to understand the current quality systems and processes, perform analysis to identify the best use of MAL resources and identify vehicle quality improvements.  The successful candidate will drive a standardised quality agenda (SAQ) for at least one vehicle line.
 
It requires the confidence to proactively engage with teams in Engineering, Aftersales and Manufacturing in particular - understanding their challenges/requirements, adopting a hands-on approach to “go-look-see” when an issue is found to understand the problem, and the ability to communicate new ideas whilst encouraging others to move away from some of their traditional methods.  The role requires the experience of working in either Quality, Manufacturing, Launch or Engineering.
 
This role requires someone who will feel passionately about improving the customers’ quality experience via constantly scanning the warranty landscape for emerging concerns and then driving these issues to robust resolution.
Principal Accountabilities

  • Lead the achievement of External Customer Quality KPIs (PDI, 3MIS, 12-24 & 36MIS)
  • Lead the delivery of Internal Customer Quality KPIs (MPA, % CSat Survey, PDI Centre FPV)
  • Lead the Quality Meeting Cadence for the vehicle line (LPR. QOPS, MQM)
  • Support responses and analysis from MPA Full Vehicle, Dynamic, and Section Audits
  • Responsible for managing Stop Ship, Gate Hold and critical concerns for the vehicle line.
  • Responsible for planning & coordinating LQOS activity (e.g. Batch & Hold) in a new model launch or Model Year.
  • Be the ‘voice of the customer’ during new model program planning– ensuring that warranty topics are not carried forward.
  • Responsible for the problem-solving strategy & steering for the vehicle line.
  • The driving force behind improvements in Quality culture
  • Responsible for tracking PSW, BDR (concession) and Alert status
  • Create, issue and track status against the Single Agenda for Quality
  • Leading the quality dialogue with retailers’ via McLaren’s “Dealer Mentoring” program
  • Any reasonable request from Senior / Executive leadership to support quality activity.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential

  • Degree qualified in a relevant engineering discipline (e.g. Manufacturing, Automotive)
  • Minimum 5 years’ experience working within Automotive Quality, Manufacturing or Engineering
  • Applicants must be computer literate and have knowledge of relevant business systems (e.g., MS Office, SAP)
  • Ability to plan and prioritise a varying workload and demands
  • Can manage and resolve a wide range of complex problems using problem solving tools and be a strong problem solver – also able to coach best practice.
  • A good understanding of vehicle construction, technologies, assembly process, and systems. 

Desirable

  • Experience in Company Quality and Launch.
  • Experience working in an Agile environment.
  • Six Sigma Green / Black Belt trained.
Personal Attributes
  • Candidates must demonstrate drive, initiative, and strong analytical skills.  This is a hands-on role and will require spending time in the production environment to understand issues / challenges.
  • Can form strong working relationships & network with internal and external parties.
  • Tenacious and passionate to deliver the very best levels of quality in McLaren vehicles.
  • A “cradle to grave” mindset to quality management – from Job 1 to end of production.
  • An excellent communicator able to simplify complex themes and engage stakeholders from around the business with a common purpose towards customer satisfaction.
  • Comfortable interfacing with both internal and external stakeholders from our global vehicle processing centres in the United States & Japan to our retailers worldwide.