Senior Buyer - Transmissions

McLaren Automotive Ltd; Bicester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

McLaren Automotive is seeking a Purchasing professional to lead supplier strategy in a high‑performance environment. You will report to the Purchasing Manager and manage multimillion-pound portfolios, driving strategic supplier relationships.

This role requires strong negotiation, cross‑functional collaboration with Engineering, and a proven track record of delivering cost reductions and on‑time delivery for premier automotive programs.

Qualifications

• Experience negotiating with suppliers in automotive or manufacturing.
• Track record in cost reduction and value engineering.
• Ability to manage multiple supplier portfolios.
• Experience in new product introduction cycles.

Responsibilities

• Manage multimillion-pound supplier portfolios.
• Lead supplier nominations and long-term strategies.
• Negotiate and manage supplier contracts.
• Resolve critical supply issues and report status.
• Drive cost reduction and VA/VE activities.
• Lead pre-launch supplier management for production readiness.
• Develop supplier evaluation methods and drive improvements.
• Ensure timely supplier part requirements and lead-time compliance.
• Prepare management reporting and budget control.
• Collaborate with engineering and other functions as a stakeholder.

Skills

Negotiation leadership

Stakeholder management

Financial acumen

Supply chain management

Contract management

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Reporting to the Purchasing Manager, this is an exciting and unique opportunity to join McLaren Automotive's 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 organisation's 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.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Able to act under pressure with calmness, clarity of thought and decisive authority.
• The determination to drive forward the business to 'Best in Class' performance standards.
• 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
• A flexible approach to working hours and practices is necessary
• Experience of launch management / new model integration
• 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
• Have completed a minimum of two new product introduction cycles