Buyer - Commodity

McLaren Automotive Ltd; Woking; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Structured career development

25 days holiday

Enhanced company pension

Discretionary annual bonus

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Sabbatical after 2 years

Wellbeing programme

Job summary

McLaren Automotive invites applications for a Commodity Buyer who will lead sourcing for key components across Electric Powertrain, Electrical, Chassis, Exterior and more. You will negotiate contracts, develop supplier strategies with Engineering and Supplier Quality, and drive value through cost and risk management in a fast-paced environment.

You will report to the Procurement Manager, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and help McLaren sustain its position at the forefront of

Qualifications

• Degree in Business, Engineering, or related field.
• MCIPS qualification desirable.
• Experience in manufacturing procurement, automotive preferred.
• Experience in developing commodity strategies and cost assessments.
• Experience negotiating complex contracts.
• Strong communication and influencing skills.
• Analytical mindset and attention to detail.
• Ability to build strong supplier relationships.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate and finalize production supplier contracts.
• Mitigate cost increases and drive cost-downs.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Supplier Quality.
• Conduct supplier assessments and coordinate sourcing.
• Ensure suppliers meet program targets for timing, cost, quality.
• Lead SRM activities with suppliers and internal customers.
• Support risk assessment and total acquisition cost analyses.

Skills

Fundamental procurement

Cost analysis

Supplier relationship

Cross-functional collaboration

Negotiation skills

Education

Degree in Business or Engineering

MCIPS desirable

Job description

What to Expect

The McLaren Automotive Procurement Department is an exciting yet demanding, fast paced and commercially driven environment. The successful candidate will be working as part of a high performing and agile team, with direct report into the Purchasing Manager. Cross functional engagement with our Engineering, Quality, Production and Legal Teams is vital for successful delivery and performance. 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

• 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

• 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.
• 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

• 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.