Senior Buyer – Full Time – Woking

Catering; Woking; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

McLaren Automotive in Woking, Surrey is seeking a Senior Buyer to join the Purchasing team. You will manage multimillion‑pound portfolios, lead supplier nominations, and negotiate contracts to secure high‑quality components across Powertrain, Exterior, Interior, and Body in White. The role drives cost reductions, supplier development, and cross‑functional collaboration with Engineering and Production. You will mentor junior buyers and ensure timely delivery under cost constraints.

Qualifications

• Experience negotiating large and complex projects in automotive/manufacturing.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Strong commercial acumen with a track record of delivering cost improvements.
• Excellent organisational skills with high accuracy and deadline adherence.
• Structured problem solving and decision making under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate supplier contracts for large, multi‑million portfolios.
• Lead supplier nomination and long‑term strategies within a function group.
• Manage supplier performance and report progress to the project team.
• Coordinate with Engineering and Manufacturing to ensure timely and cost‑effective supply.
• Drive cost‑down and VA/VE initiatives with suppliers.
• Mentor buyers and foster cross‑functional collaboration.

Skills

Negotiation leadership

Influencing skills

Commercial experience

Organisational skills

Problem solving

Self-motivation

Results driven

Contract management

Manufacturing knowledge

Supply chain management

Job description

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

Reporting to the Purchasing Manager, this is an exciting and unique opportunity to join McLaren Automotives Purchasing team. This is an exciting opening to join an exclusive automotive environment which is undergoing a transformation and rapid growth in response to its critically acclaimed global products and best-in-class performance.

What You’ll Do

• Management of multimillion pound portfolios.
• Co-ordination and full autonomy for supplier nomination and long-term strategies within a chosen function group.
• Manage Supplier contracts and commercial negotiations.
• Effective resolution of all critical supply issues and status reporting to the project team.
• Minimisation and mitigation of costs, project risks, negative relationships with suppliers and threats to the organisations ability to design, develop and manufacture products on time, to cost and at the required quality standards.
• Driving cost-down activities with suppliers and VA/VE activities. Utilising known and robust commercial tools (e.g. cost estimating processes, benchmarking activities etc.)
• Lead pre-launch supplier management activities to ensure readiness for series production.
• Development of supplier evaluation methods and driving performance improvement initiatives.
• Driving all areas of the business to submit timely, comprehensive parts requirements in line with supplier lead-times.
• Execution of management reporting.
• Configuration and development of business operating systems to ensure effective working methods.
• Budgetary control of all associated cost centres.

Managing People:

• Represent your function group at programme gateways and cost workshops.
• Mentor buyers within the team sharing best practice and encouraging development in others.
• Supporting and foster a cross-functional approach to achieve your objectives.
• Engage with Engineering so that you are seen as a key stakeholder and able to exert influence.
• Setting of clear objectives and monitor performance of your suppliers and other functions within the organisation.

What You’ll Bring

• Ability to lead negotiations and support teams in the development of negotiations strategies for large and complex projects
• Excellent influencing and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrable commercial success within an Automotive and / or manufacturing environment is desired, but willing to consider all industries with the right competencies gained.
• Excellent organisational skills, deadline adherence and exceptional attention to accuracy and detail.
• Must be capable of lateral thinking and be able to make structured and objective decisions.
• Able to demonstrate a methodical approach towards problem solving.
• A high level of self-motivation to overcome obstacles
• Results driven and the ability to deliver against aggressive targets to achieve the overall business objectives
• Ability to play a lead role in contract implementation and management
• Good working knowledge of manufacturing and quality processes
• Proven supply chain management and procurement experience, dealing with both small and large value organisations

Salary:

Job Type: Permanent

Location: Woking, Surrey