Description
We build the embodied intelligence that moves real vehicles safely, and the ecosystem a billion machines will run on in the future. Very few people in AI can say this. Every role here, whatever the team, plugs into that.
The Supply Chain Programme Manager is a critical cross-functional role responsible for owning end-to-end supply chain execution across assigned programmes and product builds at Wayve. This includes prototype development, new product introduction (NPI) and supporting fleet launches.
You’ll serve as the primary Supply Chain lead for your programmes, ensuring programme deliverables, supplier compliance and seamless coordination across Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing and external partners.
Your day-to-day:
- Acting as the primary Supply Chain lead for assigned programmes and internal product builds, including prototypes, NPI and subassemblies.
- Owning end-to-end material readiness to support programme milestones across R&D, Engineering, Operations and Manufacturing.
- Collaborating with Engineering, Planning, Sourcing, Logistics, Finance and Suppliers to align supply chain activities with programme timelines.
- Acting as the strategic liaison between hardware engineering and procurement teams, including managing demand aggregation.
- Translating engineering BOMs and aggregated Technical Programme Manager demand into procurement plans.
- Identifying long-lead items and critical-path components early in the product lifecycle.
- Tracking material status throughout build phases and proactively escalating gaps and risks.
- Serving as the primary programme manager for upfitter and partner relationships, ensuring alignment across stakeholders.
- Driving upfitter and partner activities to ensure vehicles meet overall programme timelines and quality standards.
- Proactively identifying and resolving issues affecting vehicle build readiness, coordinating between internal teams and external partners.
- Maintaining clear communication cadences with upfitters and stakeholders, tracking milestones and escalating risks as needed.
- Defining, tracking and reporting key supply chain performance metrics, including material availability, total cost savings and inventory cycle count accuracy.
- Establishing programme-level supply chain dashboards and reporting cadences to provide leadership and cross-functional stakeholders with visibility.
- Analysing KPI trends to identify root causes of supply chain underperformance and driving corrective actions with suppliers and internal teams.
- Using KPI insights to continuously improve supply chain processes, reduce waste and increase overall programme efficiency.
- Collaborating with Supply Chain Team Leads to ensure direct purchasing, indirect purchasing and logistics suppliers meet compliance requirements, including legal, environmental, regulatory requirements such as TISAX and ISO, and ethical sourcing standards.
- Partnering with Legal and Compliance teams to ensure appropriate supplier agreements, NDAs and risk controls are in place.
- Developing contingency plans for supply disruptions and actively managing supply chain risks.
You should apply if:
- You have 10+ years of progressive experience in supply chain programme management, NPI and hardware operations.
- You have a strong understanding of BOM management, material planning and procurement processes.
- You have demonstrated experience managing cross-functional programmes across Engineering, Operations and Supply Chain.
- You bring strong analytical, problem-solving and risk-management skills.
- You have excellent communication and stakeholder-management capabilities.
- You are able to travel internally as needed.
- Experience in the automotive, consumer, hardware or robotics industries is preferred.
- Familiarity with supplier compliance frameworks, including TISAX, ISO standards and ethical sourcing requirements, is preferred.
About Wayve: Wayve is building the leading AI platform for autonomous driving. We are pioneering an end-to-end AI approach that enables vehicles to learn directly from real-world experience, developing the ability to adapt, generalise and improve at scale.
Benefits:
- Salaries benchmarked against the market annually
- Meaningful equity, sharing in the ownership and long-term success of Wayve
- Relocation support and visa sponsorship where applicable
- Hybrid working, core hours and the chance to work hands-on in vehicle workshops and labs
- Learning and development budgets with support for training, conferences and growth
- Comprehensive benefits including health insurance, dental, enhanced maternity and paternity leave, retirement or pension where applicable, access to therapists, wellbeing partnerships, team socials and more