Programme Buyer

McLaren Racing; Bicester; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holidays + bank holidays

Company pension scheme

Discretionary annual bonus

Job summary

McLaren Racing seeks a Senior Programme Buyer to lead procurement across major vehicle programmes from a Programme Procurement perspective. You will coordinate cross-functional interfaces, manage sourcing reviews, and drive processes to meet milestone dates and budgets.

The role requires strong commercial acumen, stakeholder management, and the ability to deliver autonomous, results-driven procurement leadership within a high-performance environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in Business, Engineering or related field preferred; MCIPS desirable.
• Programme management experience; vehicle programme delivery preferred.
• Procurement experience within automotive or manufacturing.
• Strong commercial background with negotiation skills.
• Experience managing multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, influencing and organisational skills.
• Results-driven, delivery-focused and able to work autonomously.
• Ability to lead and energise teams and drive continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage procurement across major vehicle programmes and act as primary cross-functional interface.
• Manage Programme Sourcing Reviews to support milestones.
• Develop, drive and implement procurement processes supporting milestones.
• Ensure procurement activities meet programme dates and gateway milestones.
• Develop and oversee programme metrics to track procurement delivery.
• Coordinate resolution with Procurement team on vehicle line issues.
• Support Finance with cost-target setting and affordable structure.
• Contribute to business case analysis and financial targets.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Communication

Leadership

Autonomous work

Education

Degree in Business or Engineering

Job description

Reporting to the Senior Programme Procurement Manager, the Senior Programme Buyer is the focal point for coordinating and managing all aspects of the vehicle programme from a Programme Procurement perspective. The role is responsible for programme metrics and reporting, as well as vehicle programme deliverables and delivery milestones.

What You’ll Do

The Senior Programme Buyer is responsible for the following key activities:

• Manage and lead Procurement activities across major vehicle programmes and act as the primary cross-functional interface.
• Manage and facilitate Programme Sourcing Reviews, ensuring sourcing decisions are completed on time to support programme milestones.
• Develop, drive and implement Procurement processes to support programme milestones.
• Ensure Procurement activities at every stage of the programme are completed in line with required programme dates and gateway delivery milestones.
• Develop, distribute and oversee programme metrics to track the delivery of Procurement requirements.
• Coordinate and drive resolution with the Procurement team on relevant vehicle line issues.
• In conjunction with the Procurement commodity team, support Finance with cost-target setting and ongoing adherence to an affordable business structure.
• Contribute to business case analysis for vehicle option content to ensure financial targets are met.
• Analyse and report programme bill of materials (BoM) and investment cost status, identifying and resolving opportunities while minimising risks.
• Review Procurement reporting metrics to ensure standardised, consistent outputs across all programmes.

What You’ll Bring

• Degree in Business, Engineering or a related field preferred; MCIPS qualification desirable.
• Programme management experience; vehicle programme delivery experience is preferred but not mandatory.
• Proven experience in procurement within automotive or manufacturing.
• Strong commercial background and negotiation skills.
• Experience managing multiple business stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, influencing and organisational skills.
• Results-driven, delivery-focused and able to work autonomously.
• Ability to lead and energise teams, promote best practice and drive continuous improvement.

Personal attributes / competencies

• Ability to influence and build relationships at all levels.
• Passion for on-time programme delivery.
• Strong attention to accuracy and detail.
• Self-motivated and ambitious, with a desire to progress within McLaren.

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.

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