Automotive Commodity Buyer (24-Month Contract) in Woking

Automotive Commodity Buyer (24-Month Contract) in Woking

Woking Temporary 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
McLaren Automotive Ltd

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Negotiate supplier contracts and develop sourcing strategies for cutting-edge automotive components.
  • Company: Join McLaren Automotive, a leader in performance road cars with a dynamic culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, enhanced pension, private medical insurance, and flexible lifestyle benefits.
  • Other info: Exciting 24-month contract with opportunities for career growth and development.
  • Why this job: Be part of a passionate team pushing the boundaries of automotive innovation.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Business or Engineering preferred; previous purchasing experience is a plus.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

The Mc Laren Automotive Purchasing Department is an exciting yet demanding, fast paced and commercially driven environment.

Reporting to the Procurement Manager, the Commodity Buyer is responsible for negotiating and completing supplier contracts within assigned commodity groups (Electric Powertrain, Electrical, Chassis, Exterior, Interior, Powertrain, Body in White and Carbon).

The role involves leading sourcing activities and developing supplier strategies in collaboration with Engineering and Supplier Quality, ensuring Mc Laren leverages the best technology, cost, and quality for the future of the company.

  • Please note this roles are 24 month fixed term contract roles
  • Please note we also consider candidates in Bicester and Woking

Current roles-

  • 2x Body Exterior
  • 3x Powertrain ICE
  • 2x Electrical Software & Controls

What You'll Do

  • Negotiate and finalize production supplier contracts for assigned commodities.
  • Mitigate cost increases and drive cost-down activities within scope.
  • Collaborate with Engineering and Supplier Quality to develop and deploy sourcing strategies.
  • Conduct supplier assessments and coordinate sourcing recommendations.
  • Ensure suppliers meet program targets for timing, cost, quality, and technical attributes.
  • Serve as the focal point for Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) activities with suppliers and internal customers.
  • Support risk assessment, total acquisition cost analysis, and cross-functional alignment on technical and quality criteria.
  • What You'll Bring
  • Degree in Business, Engineering, or related field preferred; MCIPS qualification desirable.
  • Previous purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment (automotive preferred).
  • Solid experience in procurement or commodity buying.
  • Experience in developing structured commodity strategies, including risk and cost assessments.
  • Some experience negotiating complex contracts.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills; ability to influence at senior management level.
  • Good understanding of cost breakdown analysis.
  • Analytical mindset and attention to detail.
  • Ability to build strong supplier relationships.
  • Collaborative approach with cross-functional teams.
  • Eagerness to learn and develop within the procurement function.
  • 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
  • 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

Who Are We?

No restraints. No limitations. We don’t simply push boundaries. We completely rethink them. Mc Laren 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.

Mc Laren 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.

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Automotive Commodity Buyer (24-Month Contract) in Woking employer: McLaren Automotive Ltd

McLaren Automotive is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and innovative work environment that fosters growth and excellence in the automotive industry. With a strong focus on employee development, you will have the opportunity to lead multimillion-pound portfolios and engage in meaningful negotiations, all while being part of a team that values collaboration and best practices. Located in a prestigious automotive hub, McLaren provides a unique chance to contribute to world-class products and be part of a transformative journey in a company renowned for its performance and quality.

McLaren Automotive Ltd

Contact Details:

McLaren Automotive Ltd Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Automotive Commodity Buyer (24-Month Contract) in Woking

Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups

Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!

Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!

Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.

Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles

Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!

Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks

Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!

We think you need these skills to ace Automotive Commodity Buyer (24-Month Contract) in Woking

Negotiation Skills
Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)
Cost Breakdown Analysis
Risk Assessment
Sourcing Strategy Development
Analytical Mindset
Attention to Detail

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show McLaren Automotive Ltd that you can hit the ground running!

Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, McLaren Automotive Ltd can quickly grasp your capabilities!

Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows McLaren Automotive Ltd that you're serious about your professional development.

Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let McLaren Automotive Ltd know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!

How to prepare for a job interview at McLaren Automotive Ltd

Know Your Procurement Basics

Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.

Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.

Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability

Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!

Show Off Your Tech Savvy

Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.