What to Expect
The Supplier Quality (SQD) Process & Governance Senior Engineer is responsible for driving the transformation, unification and governance of SQD processes. This role ensures that supplier quality activities are managed through standardized, efficient, and future‑ready processes that are aligned with industry best practice and organisational strategy. In addition to process transformation, the role holds a wider governance remit – ensuring that the broader SQD team consistently meets their responsibilities and deliverables in both series supplier performance management and new model programme industrialisation. This includes establishing internal SQD governance forums to monitor progress, manage escalations and ensure accountability of wider SQD team members. This is a strategic, cross‑functional role that requires collaboration with procurement, manufacturing, engineering and compliance teams to ensure alignment on deliverables and SQDs progress against these.
What You’ll Do
* Lead comprehensive mapping of all legacy organisation(s) SQD/SQA processes
* Identify synergies and opportunities to merge, simplify, and optimise these processes into a single, common framework.
* Redesign and optimise processes to create a streamlined and efficient solutions ‘right‑sized’ for the McLaren SQD organisation.
* Develop supporting process documentation, workflows and visual maps for communication and training purposes.
* Governance & Diary Management:
o Design and implement a standard governance framework for the SQD function, including meeting cadences, roles and responsibilities, and decision‑making protocols.
o Implement standard weekly, monthly and quarterly departmental diaries to ensure consistent reporting, review and escalation processes.
o Maintain structured agenda management to ensure all governance forums are focused, efficient and action‑driven.
o Monitor and enforce governance compliance across the wider SQD team to ensure that all members are completing their assigned responsibilities and deliverables within both series supplier management and new model programmes.
o Establish clear accountability tracking, performance dashboards and progress reporting mechanisms to ensure timely delivery of key SQD activities, identifying and escalating risks or delays in accordance with governance procedures.
* Digital Transformation & AI Adoption:
o Develop a multi‑year roadmap for the digital evolution of SQD processes.
o Identify, evaluate and propose AI and automation tools that can simplify process execution, reduce administrative workload and enhance supplier engagement.
o Lead pilot projects to test and implement AI solutions, ensuring they integrate effectively with existing systems (e.g. SharePoint, ERP).
o Oversee change management and stakeholder engagement to ensure smooth adoption of new digital tools.
* Compliance & Standards Alignment:
o Ensure redesigned processes meet all relevant industry standards, including IATF 16949 and internal Quality Management System (QMS) requirements.
o Work with internal audit teams to integrate compliance checkpoints into the new processes.
o Maintain governance materials and ensure accessibility through controlled documentation platforms.
o Ensure SQD deliverables in both current series and new model programmes meet governance requirements, demonstrating evidence of completion and compliance in all mandated reviews and approval stages.
* Stakeholder Engagement & Communication:
o Act as the central point of contact for process governance matters between SQD and other cross‑functional stakeholders.
o Deliver clear and timely communications to internal stakeholders and the supplier base regarding process changes, governance expectations and transformation updates.
o Support leadership in presenting process transformation progress to executive teams.
o Regularly update stakeholders on the status of SQD deliverables for both series production and new model programmes, providing visibility of progress, risks and mitigation plans in alignment with governance protocols.
What You’ll Bring
* Degree in Engineering, Business, Quality Management or a related discipline. Advanced qualifications preferred.
* Extensive experience in supplier quality governance, process development and change management, preferably within automotive or manufacturing industries.
* Expertise in process mapping, process optimisation and cross‑functional governance frameworks.
* Thorough understanding of IATF 16949, Quality Management Systems and supplier quality methodology (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, MSA).
* Proven ability to lead cross‑business transformation and standardisation programmes. RESTRICTED
* Experience delivering digital transformation projects, with knowledge of AI tool selection and deployment in operational environments.
* Proficiency in governance tools, digital collaboration platforms (e.g. SharePoint, Microsoft Teams) and process documentation techniques.
* Strong project management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives concurrently.
What We’ll Do for You
* 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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr