Buyer - Chassis

McLaren Automotive Ltd; Woking; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays

Enhanced pension scheme

Discretionary annual bonus

Private medical insurance and health +

Life assurance

Sabattical after two years' service

Job summary

McLaren Automotive is seeking a Commodity Buyer to negotiate and finalize production supplier contracts across multiple commodity groups. You will lead sourcing activities and develop supplier strategies in collaboration with Engineering and Supplier Quality to ensure the best technology, cost, and quality for the future.

The role requires analytical thinking, strong communication, and the ability to influence at senior management level, with emphasis on risk assessment and SRM.

Qualifications

• Degree in Business, Engineering, or related field preferred; MCIPS desirable.
• Automotive manufacturing purchasing experience preferred.
• Experience in procurement or commodity buying.
• Experience developing structured commodity strategies, including risk and cost assessments.
• Some experience negotiating complex contracts.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate and finalize production supplier contracts for assigned commodities.
• Mitigate cost increases and drive cost-down activities.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Supplier Quality to develop and deploy sourcing strategies.
• Conduct supplier assessments and coordinate sourcing recommendations.
• Ensure suppliers meet program targets for timing, cost, quality, and technical attributes.
• Serve as the focal point for Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) activities with suppliers and internal customers.
• Support risk assessment, total acquisition cost analysis, and cross-functional alignment on technical and quality criteria.

Skills

Communication skills

Influence at senior level

Analytical mindset

Supplier relationship building

Cross-functional collaboration

Eagerness to learn

Education

Degree in Business or Engineering

MCIPS qualification desirable

Job description

What to Expect

The McLaren Automotive Purchasing Department is an exciting yet demanding, fast paced and commercially driven environment.

Reporting to the Procurement Manager, the Commodity Buyer is responsible for negotiating and completing supplier contracts within assigned commodity groups (Electric Powertrain, Electrical, Chassis, Exterior, Interior, Powertrain, Body in White and Carbon). The role involves leading sourcing activities and developing supplier strategies in collaboration with Engineering and Supplier Quality, ensuring McLaren leverages the best technology, cost, and quality for the future of the company.

What You'll Do

The Commodity Buyer is accountable for the following key activities:

• Negotiate and finalize production supplier contracts for assigned commodities.
• Mitigate cost increases and drive cost-down activities within scope.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Supplier Quality to develop and deploy sourcing strategies.
• Conduct supplier assessments and coordinate sourcing recommendations.
• Ensure suppliers meet program targets for timing, cost, quality, and technical attributes.
• Serve as the focal point for Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) activities with suppliers and internal customers.
• Support risk assessment, total acquisition cost analysis, and cross-functional alignment on technical and quality criteria.

What You'll Bring

Knowledge, skills & experience:

• Degree in Business, Engineering, or related field preferred; MCIPS qualification desirable.
• Previous purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment (automotive preferred).
• Solid experience in procurement or commodity buying.
• Experience in developing structured commodity strategies, including risk and cost assessments.
• Some experience negotiating complex contracts.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; ability to influence at senior management level.
• Good understanding of cost breakdown analysis.

Personal Attributes / Competencies

• Analytical mindset and attention to detail.
• Ability to build strong supplier relationships.
• Collaborative approach with cross-functional teams.
• Eagerness to learn and develop within the procurement function.

What We’ll Do For You

We offer a wide – ranging benefits package, which includes:

• 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.