POSITION: Global Manufacturing Engineering Director

POSTING END DATE: 14/02/2025

LOCATION: Gaydon, Warwickshire (UK). With frequent travel between UK sites & travel to international JLR sites

SALARY: Competitive

At JLR, we're on a continual journey to reimagine the future of modern luxury, and we want you to be part of it. Through our exquisite and timeless house of brands – Range Rover, Defender, Discovery and Jaguar – we're defining a new approach to sustainability and providing exceptional experiences. As a leader here, you have the opportunity to influence the way we think, providing your unique insight and vision for a better future. It's time to become a proud creator.
 
WHAT TO EXPECT
 
When it comes to the future, our Global Manufacturing Engineering Team is planning it today; working several years ahead of production, the team help plan, translate and then execute the manufacturing facilities, infrastructure and processes required to bring our future products to market. We provide equipment, facilities and processes for the production of the next generation of JLR vehicles and, as such, the very future of our organisation. It doesn't just happen; Global Manufacturing Engineering have a diverse team of highly skilled individuals with the expertise and foresight to put the facilities and processes in place to keep our programmes on track. This diverse and multi-skilled team, ensure our iconic house of brands continue to captivate the world of tomorrow. We are at the forefront of delivering our ReImagine strategy.

Providing leadership, vision, direction and structure to the Global Manufacturing Engineering team (c. 1300), the Director, Global Manufacturing Engineering will be responsible for developing and scaling all aspects (people, processes and facilities/equipment) of Global Manufacturing Engineering across all our vehicle and propulsion manufacturing sites globally. The role has accountability for new vehicle programme integration into manufacturing, manufacturing global footprint and the manufacturing facility and process design (including equipment and facility manufacture and automation, layout and facility building construction) across all manufacturing technologies: Stampings, Body In White, Paint, Trim and Final, Logistics, Propulsion (internal combustion engines, batteries, and electric drive units), Infrastructure and Dimensional Systems.

THE ROLE
 
Key Responsibilities

• Accountable for developing and executing a Global Manufacturing Engineering strategy to position JLR for competitive advantage and success, ensuring all our plants are equipped – through processes and facilities development, testing, installation and maintenance – to achieve safety, quality, delivery and cost performance levels
• Accountable for scoping, evaluating and ultimately delivering multi-million-pound capital investment projects across vehicle assembly as well as electric and propulsion manufacturing facilities globally, ensuring they are delivered to specification, on time and on budget
• Lead Pre-PSC Feasibility assessment confirming concept Product and Process Compatibility to facilitate progression to full vehicle engineering delivery, through robust evaluation maximising technical capability and experience to push boundaries
• Managing the launch interface between Manufacturing, Product Engineering, Creative, Quality and Supply Chain/Procurement activities to ensure the successful integration of the manufacturing, quality control and product development processes both pre- and post-vehicle launch to exceed customer expectations
• Lead and champion innovation and technology development across Manufacturing Engineering in collaboration with colleagues through our Technology Forum structure to diffuse best practice across our facilities, as well as understanding external best practice and bringing this insight in for the benefit of JLR
• Lead the transformation agenda for Global Manufacturing Engineering both at a functional level and in line with our Corporate ReImagine strategy
• Developing a high-performing and inclusive culture within the Global Manufacturing Engineering team, ensuring that there is a departmental vision that provides direction as well as motivation to the wider team that encourages everyone to bring their full selves to work
• Leading on capability development, from building a strong succession plan for management and leadership roles with diverse successors, as well as early careers talent development to drive exceptional levels of performance and leveraging potential across the organisation

Key Performance Indicators

• Delivery of capital investment projects to scope, on time and on budget
• Ensuring programme gateway deliverables for Global Manufacturing Engineering are met
• Robust evaluation of innovation projects – progressing and delivering those with a positive business case
• Diffusion of best practice initiatives across all facilities
• Succession bench-strength

Key Interactions

• Internal Manufacturing Leadership Team
• Industrial Operations Team (including Supply Chain and Procurement)
• Product Engineering
• Vehicle Programmes
• External Suppliers

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated track record in multi-site and international automotive manufacturing engineering (across process design, development and deployment) encompassing strategic leadership (with outstanding ability in strategic process creation and implementation) combined with strong operational ability (including transitioning programmes from prototype to production, proposal evaluation and ability to ‘troubleshoot’)
• Experience and knowledge of Lean, 6 Sigma, Industry 4.0 and/or Agile Manufacturing to drive continuous improvement and greater efficiency (with a view to optimising process, people and technology) as well as technology and innovation driven transformation (with a view to greater customer-centricity)
• Exemplifies our Creators' Code behaviours of Customer Love, Unity, Integrity, Growth and Impact
• Inspirational leader, demonstrated by a low-ego approach, with a positive and inclusive style with a track record of developing talent and inspiring others, driving the organisation to new benchmark performance
• Extensive experience in change management and facilitation techniques and demonstrated ability to positively influence business decisions
• Strong commercial acumen and an ability to interpret business strategy and align accordingly
• High degree of emotional intelligence, exemplified by self-awareness and empathy, to gain the trust and commitment necessary for transformative change
• Cross-functional business understanding with a P&L orientation
• The courage and decisiveness, to prioritise, to succeed – or to fail fast and move forward
• Comfortable working within a highly ambiguous, dynamic and changing environment
• A collaborative leader, you will engage the collective wisdom of your team to deliver outstanding results
• An ability to work in an inclusive multi-culture and multi-partnership environment 
• Unquestionable integrity and values driven – earns unwavering trust, meets commitments, and has courageous conversations
• Successful in achieving results through others, developing high performing teams and future succession
• High level of resilience in dealing with ambiguous or fast-paced, evolving situations 
• Strong influencing skills and ability to build relationships easily – understands the intricacies of managing complex relationships across a global organisation 
• High energy and tenacious. Able to work through complex and challenging problems through consistent application and determination

Creating Modern Luxury requires a modern approach to work. At JLR, hybrid working is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement providing employees flexibility around how, when and where they work. Some roles require more on-site work, but details of this can be discussed with the hiring manager during the interview stage.

We work hard to nurture a culture that is inclusive and welcoming to all. We understand candidates may require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. Please discuss these with your recruiter so we can accommodate your needs.

JLR is committed to equal opportunity for all.

Please be aware that we may close this vacancy for applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of interest. We strongly advise you to submit your application as early as possible.