At a Glance
- Tasks: Support sourcing, supplier management, and cost optimisation in a high-performing team.
- Company: Join McLaren, a leader in the premium automotive industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private medical insurance, and a discretionary bonus.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in procurement while working with cutting-edge automotive technology.
- Qualifications: Studying a relevant degree with strong analytical and communication skills.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities to work on world-class performance vehicles.
We are recruiting for Industrial Placement Interns to join our high-performing Procurement team at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey. As a Procurement Intern, you will gain practical, hands-on experience in sourcing, supplier management, and cost optimisation—contributing directly to the delivery of McLaren’s world-class performance vehicles.
This is a 12-month full-time Industrial Placement offering insight into how a premium automotive manufacturer manages a global, high-precision supply base. You’ll work alongside experienced procurement professionals and cross-functional stakeholders, developing key commercial skills and industry awareness.
Please note this is an on-site position.
What You\’ll Do
As a Procurement Intern, you’ll work within key areas of the Procurement department. You’ll support projects that drive value, efficiency, and reliability across McLaren’s global supply chain.
- Assisting in the sourcing of components and materials across different vehicle programmes.
- Supporting the evaluation of supplier proposals and RFQ responses.
- Analysing supplier performance metrics including cost, delivery, and quality.
- Working closely with Engineering, Finance, and Quality teams to align procurement with build milestones.
- Helping to prepare supplier communications, purchase orders, and tracking documentation.
- Supporting cost-reduction initiatives through benchmarking and analysis.
- Gaining exposure to contract management, logistics planning, and supplier audits.
What You\’ll Bring
- You must be currently studying for a degree in a relevant subject, such as Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Economics, or another related discipline at a UK university.
- A strong interest in commercial operations, procurement, and the automotive industry.
- Solid analytical and organisational skills.
- Confidence working with data and an eagerness to learn.
- Clear communication and the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
You must also bring a passion for cars, and a desire to work at the cutting edge of the automotive industry within our Procurement business area.
Personal Attributes:
- Commercial awareness – interest in how supplier partnerships impact product quality, cost, and delivery.
- Analytical thinking – comfortable interpreting cost data and supplier KPIs.
- Organisation – able to manage multiple priorities and maintain accurate records.
- Team collaboration – works well with colleagues across procurement, engineering, and finance.
- Adaptability – can work across different commodities, tasks, and systems.
- Problem-solving – curious and proactive in identifying better ways of working.
- Professionalism – represents McLaren’s brand and values when engaging with suppliers.
- Attention to detail – accurate in documentation, reporting, and order management.
- Communication – clear and concise in emails, meetings, and project updates.
- Passion for performance – inspired by McLaren’s vision and precision-driven culture.
What We\’ll Do for You
We offer a wide-ranging benefits package, which includes:
- 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
- Benefits you can adapt to your lifestyle, such as discounted shopping
- A range of wellbeing initiatives, such as employee assistance programme and free financial & mortgage advice
- Opportunities to experience our fantastic cars
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.
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Procurement Industrial Placement 2026 employer: McLaren Automotive Ltd
Contact Detail:
McLaren Automotive Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Industrial Placement 2026
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former interns at McLaren on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the role. Personal connections can give you insights that you won’t find in the job description.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching McLaren’s procurement processes and recent projects. Show us that you’re not just passionate about cars, but also about how they’re made. Bring specific examples of how your skills can contribute to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Since you’ll be collaborating with various teams, being clear and concise is key. Try mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable discussing your experiences and ideas.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows us that you’re genuinely interested in joining the McLaren family. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Industrial Placement 2026
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Procurement role. Highlight any relevant experience or skills that align with what we’re looking for, like analytical thinking and teamwork. A personalised CV shows us you’re genuinely interested in the position!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your passion for the automotive industry and why you want to join our Procurement team. Be sure to mention specific projects or experiences that demonstrate your skills and enthusiasm.
Show Off Your Analytical Skills: Since this role involves a lot of data analysis, make sure to showcase your analytical skills in your application. Whether it’s through coursework, projects, or previous internships, let us know how you’ve tackled data and what insights you’ve drawn from it.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at McLaren Automotive Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into McLaren's procurement processes and the automotive industry. Familiarise yourself with key terms like RFQ, supplier performance metrics, and cost optimisation. This will not only impress your interviewers but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills
Since the role involves analysing supplier performance and cost data, be prepared to discuss any relevant projects or coursework where you've used analytical skills. Bring examples of how you’ve tackled problems using data, as this will highlight your fit for the position.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Collaboration is key in this role, so think of examples where you've successfully worked in a team. Be ready to share how you communicated effectively with others and contributed to group goals. This will showcase your ability to work across different departments.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about McLaren’s procurement strategies or recent projects. This shows that you're not just interested in the role, but also in how you can contribute to the team's success. It’s a great way to demonstrate your enthusiasm and commercial awareness.