Description & Requirements
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
Reporting to the Commercial Operations Director, this is a senior level management role directly responsible for delivering the commercial and financial imperatives for the business, in line with the yearly budget that underpins McLaren’s business plan.
You will have full ownership for leading and managing end-to-end commercial operations culminating in the achievement of significant wholesale and net profit targets. You will be responsible for the management and motivation of the Commercial Operations Team and will be a pivotal interface with the Regional McLaren Teams located around the World, as well as Senior level stakeholders within our Woking Head Office.
Principal Accountabilities
- Lead, develop and motivate the Commercial Operations Team ensuring that hybrid working principles are utilised to maximum effect
- Ensure that recruitment, on-boarding, performance reviews and career plans are consistently delivered across the Commercial Operations Team. Set out clear roles and responsibilities to ensure the Team are appropriately empowered. Review employee feedback and develop actions plans as appropriate
- Represent Commercial Operations in key meetings ensuring that decisions are appropriately guided to deliver customer centric solutions
- Business ownership and management of end-to-end sales process, including volume planning (sales, revenue and profit forecasting), constraint management, market volume allocation and fill, order placement, pricing, invoicing, vehicle wholesale, revenue recognition, vehicle logistics and customer delivery, for our global retailer network
- Liaise with the Global Sales Team to ensure delivery of the monthly, quarterly, and yearly sales order fill and vehicle wholesale objectives for all model lines in all global markets
- Planning, forecasting, management, and governance of the global sales tactical budget, in close collaboration with the regional directors, ensuring effective controls are in place to deliver global sales objectives on budget
- Strategic planning of the commercial distribution function for outbound logistics, including budget management and supplier performance
- Development and integration of the overall Sales System landscape encompassing all commercial aspects of SAP, Lead Management System, New Car Configurator, Used Car Locator, Retailer Portal and CRM
- Coordinate and manage the timely delivery of Commercial Operations inputs into all Project critical gateways through the McLaren Development Programme (MDP 2.0) encompassing new product launches, communication plans and Retailer launches
- Lead global retailer communications, including development of commercial operations standards and processes
- Chair the Monthly Operational Planning (OPM) meeting with the Executive team, coordinating all topics and inputs, to steer the wider business in delivery of the yearly business plan
- Drive a culture of constant innovation and improvement. Challenge processes at every level. Propose clear recommendations to drive operational efficiency and manage through to completion
- Act as a senior point of escalation for any issues, providing direction on solutions whilst ensuring that root cause analysis is undertaken, and rectification measure applied to prevent reoccurrence.
- Review complex numerical data and utilise to make informed business decisions
- Create and manage the production, wholesale and retail yearly plans and monthly forecasts, in agreement with key business Directors, aligning market demand and capacity constraints
- Continuously communicate and maintain close contact with Production, Material Control, Logistics, Finance, Regional Sales Teams, and Retailers, to identify any commercial threats and opportunities, coordinating the right respond to deliver the business plan
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Educated to degree level
- Proven team leader with ability to motivate and develop people
- Excellent negotiation skills
- Excellent communicator (written and verbal)
- High level of commercial experience and acumen
- Ability to interpret complex data and utilise output to drive business decisions
- Ability to balance operational delivery and strategic thinking
- Knowledge of automotive
- Highly competent in building and developing business processes
- Planning experience
- International experience / understanding of global markets
- Highly IT literate (Microsoft applications / SAP etc.)
Personal Attributes
- A winning mentality and drive to achieve outstanding results
- Resilient and adaptable. Able to maintain a consistently high level of work and professional output in times of pressure
- A proactive, energetic, and positive individual who thrives on personal accountability and making a difference
- High standards. Consistently leads by example
- Prepared to take responsibility and accountability
- Exceptionally organised, able to multi-task and prioritise workload
- High level of self-motivation
- Highly credible, can act as an equal player and skilled influencer with all levels of business stakeholders
- A flexible approach to working hours and practice
- Prepared to travel globally as and when required
- Approachable, confident, and professional
- Dynamic, with the ability to respond positively to challenging situations