Indirect Buyer

McLaren Automotive Ltd; Woking; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days’ holiday

Enhanced pension scheme

Discretionary annual bonus

Private medical insurance

Life assurance benefit

Sabbatical after two years’ service

Wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

McLaren Automotive seeks an experienced Indirect Buyer to own end-to-end CAPEX sourcing and supplier management for manufacturing equipment. Based at McLaren’s site in Woking and Bicester, you will drive RFx, contracting and governance to ensure cost, schedule and quality targets are met.

You will partner with Engineering, SQA/Quality and Manufacturing to translate needs into robust supplier solutions while maintaining strong relationships with key equipment OEMs.

Qualifications

• 4+ years in automotive or complex manufacturing with CAPEX sourcing and contract execution.
• Experience with RFx, bid analysis, and governance of high-value equipment contracts.
• SRM, risk mapping, and supplier performance reviews.

Responsibilities

• Lead CAPEX RFx for equipment, align specs, bid packs, Q&A and supplier nomination.
• Execute contracts and POs per CAPEX governance, including milestones, change orders and asset tagging.
• Maintain linkage to programme milestones; support ramp-up with Manufacturing.
• Be commercial owner for strategic suppliers; run performance reviews, scorecards and risk mapping.
• Negotiate terms, monitor capacity reservations and price validity; support e-sourcing when needed.

Skills

Automotive procurement

CAPEX sourcing

Supplier relationship management

Contract negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

RFx process

E-sourcing

Job description

What to Expect

We are currently recruiting for Indirect Buyer to be based at our site in Woking, Surrey & Bicester Oxfordshire

You will own the end‑to‑end sourcing and commercial management of manufacturing CAPEX suppliers —including automation cells, tooling, machinery and test equipment— so that industrialisation for McLaren programmes lands on cost, on time, and to quality, while embedding robust supplier relationship management and risk control throughout the equipment lifecycle. Operate in a cross-functional environment (Procurement, Engineering, SQA/Quality, Manufacturing) to translate manufacturing needs into commercially sound, executable supplier solutions.

Supported by Senior Category Lead for onboarding, mentoring & first point of contact prior escalation.

The Buyer will be the focal point for supplier relationship management, ensuring performance, governance, and commercial alignment throughout the equipment lifecycle.

What You'll Do

CAPEX Sourcing & Delivery

• Lead RFx for CAPEX (specification alignment, bid packs, Q&A, clarifications), complete commercial/technical bid analysis, and steer supplier nomination.
• Execute contracts and purchase orders in line with McLaren CAPEX governance, including milestone validation, change‑order control, invoice approval, and asset tagging for McLaren‑owned equipment.
• Maintain tight linkage to programme milestones and factory readiness; support ramp‑up/SOP industrialisation activities with Manufacturing.

Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)

• Be the commercial owner for strategic line‑builders/equipment suppliers; run structured performance reviews, scorecards, and risk mapping; drive corrective actions and continuous improvement.
• Build senior‑level relationships that secure technology access, capacity, and competitive commercial positions (including re‑tenders or rebalancing when needed).

Contracting & Commercial Governance

• Negotiate commercial terms (pricing, payment milestones/terms, warranty, service levels, liquidated damages where applicable) and manage change orders over the project life.
• Protect the commercial baseline by monitoring supplier capacity reservations and price validity windows; escape early if the legal/commercial framework needs adaptation to keep terms whole.
• Support e‑bidding/digital sourcing where appropriate to enhance competitiveness and auditability.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Operate in the McLaren Cross functional environment (Procurement–Engineering–SQA–Manufacturing..) to land robust technical scopes and quality plans (APQP/PPAP where relevant to equipment sign‑off).
• Partner with Finance on CAPEX budgeting, NPV/TCO and cash‑flow phasing; keep stakeholders informed via agreed RASIC/role boundaries.

What You'll Bring

• Automotive Procurement experience preferred or strong Manufacturing understanding: 4+ years in automotive or complex manufacturing, with demonstrable CAPEX sourcing and contract execution (tooling, machinery, automation, test rigs).
• Commercial & contractual: Familiar with RFx process, bid analysis, negotiation of high‑value equipment contracts (pricing, milestones, warranty/after‑sales), and governance through to asset tagging/acceptance.
• Industrialisation know‑how: Understanding of manufacturing readiness, SOP ramp‑up, and interfaces to APQP/PPAP/quality gates where applicable.
• SRM & risk: Running supplier scorecards, risk mapping, recovery plans, and continuous improvement forums with line‑builders/equipment OEMs.
• Stakeholder influence: Clear written/verbal communication with the ability to influence at senior level and navigate complex programmes.

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.