Senior Commodity Buyer: Strategic Sourcing & Cost Leadership

McLaren Automotive Limited; Woking; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Enhanced pension

Discretionary annual bonus

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Sabbatical after 2 years of service

Lifestyle perks (discounts)

Wellbeing initiatives

Employee assistance programme

Mortgage/financial advice

Job summary

McLaren Automotive Limited is seeking a Senior Commodity Buyer to set strategic direction for interior supplier sourcing, ensuring access to the best technology at the lowest total cost while mitigating risk.

You will lead category strategies, supplier identification and negotiations, collaborating with Engineering, Quality, Production, Finance, and Legal to drive value and strong supplier performance across multi-million pound portfolios.

Qualifications

• Degree in Business, Engineering, or related field preferred.
• MCIPS qualification desirable.
• Proven experience in procurement within automotive or manufacturing.
• Strong commercial background and negotiation skills.
• Experience managing multi-national suppliers and delivering complex contracts.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and organizational skills.
• Results-driven, delivery-focused, and able to work autonomously.
• Ability to lead and energize teams, promote best practice, and drive continuous improvement.
• Ability to influence and build relationships at all levels.
• Passion for purchasing and innovation.
• Strong attention to accuracy and detail.
• Self-motivated and ambitious, with a desire to progress within McLaren.

Responsibilities

• Develop and update Category Strategies on critical commodities aligned with Technology Roadmaps and future product plans.
• Lead supplier identification, selection, and relationship management with key suppliers, ensuring McLaren is a customer of choice.
• Lead on supplier nominations with collaborative cross functional support.
• Negotiate, execute, and monitor complex contractual agreements with strategic suppliers and ensure McLaren’s commercial position is protected.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Quality, Production, Finance, and Legal to deliver aligned strategies and robust supplier performance.
• Demonstrate expertise in supplier processes, cost drivers, and industry trends.
• Prepare and deliver annual plans for cost reduction and supplier claims minimization on multi-million pound direct-spend portfolios.
• Deputize for the Manager as required and support team development.

Skills

Procurement experience

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Autonomy

Leadership

Supplier management

Contract management

Influencing

Attention to detail

Innovation mindset

Education

Degree in Business/Engineering or related field

MCIPS qualification desirable

Job description

McLaren Automotive Limited is seeking a Senior Commodity Buyer to set strategic direction for interior supplier sourcing, ensuring access to the best technology at the lowest total cost while mitigating risk.

You will lead category strategies, supplier identification and negotiations, collaborating with Engineering, Quality, Production, Finance, and Legal to drive value and strong supplier performance across multi-million pound portfolios.