Buyer – Full Time – Bicester

Catering; Bicester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

McLaren Automotive is seeking a Commodity Buyer within the Powertrain procurement group to join a fast-paced, high‑performing team in Oxfordshire. You will lead sourcing activities, negotiate supplier contracts, and collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Production and Legal to deliver proven outcomes.

Reporting to the Procurement Manager, you will develop commodity strategies, assess supplier capabilities, and manage SRM activities while ensuring timing, cost, quality and technical targets are

Qualifications

• Degree in Business, Engineering, or related field; MCIPS desirable.
• Manufacturing/ automotive purchasing experience preferred.
• Experience in procurement or commodity buying.
• Experience developing commodity strategies including risk/cost assessments.
• Some experience negotiating complex contracts.
• Strong communication skills; ability to influence at senior management level.
• Cost breakdown analysis understanding.
• Analytical mindset and attention to detail.
• Ability to build strong supplier relationships.
• Collaborative with cross-functional teams.
• Willingness to learn and develop in procurement.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate and finalize production supplier contracts for assigned commodities.
• Mitigate cost increases and drive cost-down within scope.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Supplier Quality on sourcing strategies.
• Conduct supplier assessments and coordinate sourcing recommendations.
• Ensure suppliers meet program targets for timing, cost, quality, and tech attributes.
• Serve as focal point for SRM activities with suppliers and internal customers.
• Support risk assessment and total cost of ownership analyses; cross-functional alignment on criteria.

Skills

Purchasing experience in manufacturing

Negotiation

Strategic sourcing

Supplier relationship management

Communication skills

Cost breakdown analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical mindset

Learning and development mindset

Education

Degree in Business, Engineering, or related field

MCIPS qualification desirable

Job description

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

We are hiring for Buyers in the following areas: (Electric Powertrain, Electrical, Chassis, Exterior, Interior, Powertrain, Body in White and Carbon).

The successful candidate will be working as part of a high performing and agile team, with direct report into the Procurement 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 the Powertrain commodity group. 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.

Salary:

Job Type: Permanent

Location: OX26, Bicester, Oxfordshire