Interim Automotive Programme & Supplier Risk Manager

• Acting as 100% dedicated taskforce lead, managing the end-to-end introduction of a critical component into active vehicle programmes
• Owning and driving the programme plan, tracking progress against milestones and escalating risks ahead of impact to the critical path
• Coordinating OEM and supplier engineering teams to enable timely technical and commercial decision-making
• Managing complex supplier risk and recovery scenarios, including senior-level arbitration where required
• Providing daily reporting to senior leadership, covering: Progress versus plan, Blocking points and decisions required, Full part supply visibility down to sub-component level, Early escalation of any item approaching the critical path
• Supporting and overseeing engineering validation activities, ensuring components meet quality, performance and programme timing requirements
• Acting as a key interface across Procurement, Engineering, Supplier Quality and external suppliers during a critical delivery window

• Strong background in programme management and supplier risk management within automotive or advanced engineering environments
• Proven experience resolving supplier crises or high-risk programme situations at senior management level
• Broad engineering knowledge of automotive component validation, with experience in plastics assemblies essential and exposure to electrical / electronic systems highly advantageous
• Confidence operating in fast-paced, high-pressure environments where priorities evolve rapidly
• Experience managing complex, international supplier networks with clear, structured communication
• Immediate availability and flexibility to travel
• Ability to be based in Surrey or Taiwan, with business travel to Vietnam and Taiwan as required

Chinese language capability would be a plus