At a Glance
- Tasks: Negotiate supplier contracts and develop sourcing strategies in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join McLaren Automotive, a leader in performance road cars with a diverse team.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, enhanced pension, private medical insurance, and flexible lifestyle benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and a commitment to diversity.
- Why this job: Be part of an innovative team that rethinks boundaries and drives automotive excellence.
- Qualifications: Degree in Business or Engineering preferred; previous purchasing experience is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The McLaren 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 McLaren leverages the best technology, cost, and quality for the future of the company.
Please note this roles are 24 month fixed term contract roles. Current roles include:
- 2x BIW & Chassis
- 3x Body Exterior
- 3x Powertrain ICE
- 4x 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
- 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. McLaren 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. 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. Join us on our journey.
Buyer - 24 month FTC in Woking employer: McLaren Automotive Ltd
At McLaren Automotive, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our structured career development framework, extensive benefits package, and a supportive environment that encourages continuous improvement and personal development. Located in a cutting-edge facility, our team thrives on the excitement of creating high-performance vehicles while enjoying a range of wellbeing initiatives and generous leave policies.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer - 24 month FTC in Woking
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the automotive industry, especially those at McLaren. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching McLaren’s latest projects and innovations. Show us you’re not just interested in the role but also in being part of our exciting journey in the automotive world.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since the Buyer role involves negotiating contracts, consider role-playing scenarios with friends or mentors to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the McLaren family.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer - 24 month FTC in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Buyer role. Highlight your relevant experience in procurement, especially in the automotive sector, and showcase any specific achievements that align with the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Use it to explain how your skills and experiences match the requirements, and don’t forget to express your enthusiasm for working at McLaren!
Showcase Your Negotiation Skills:Since negotiation is key in this role, provide examples of past experiences where you successfully negotiated contracts or managed supplier relationships. This will help us see your potential impact on our team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of all candidates. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at McLaren Automotive Ltd
✨Know Your Commodities
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid understanding of the specific commodities you'll be dealing with, like Electric Powertrain or Chassis. Research current trends and challenges in these areas so you can speak confidently about how you would approach sourcing and supplier strategies.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations you've led, especially in complex contract situations. Be ready to discuss your approach to mitigating cost increases and driving cost-down activities, as this will demonstrate your ability to handle the demands of the role.
✨Collaborate and Communicate
Highlight your experience working with cross-functional teams, particularly with Engineering and Supplier Quality. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve built strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders, as effective collaboration is key in this fast-paced environment.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Thinking
Brush up on your analytical skills and be ready to discuss how you conduct risk assessments and total acquisition cost analyses. Providing specific examples of how you've used data to inform your sourcing strategies will show that you have the analytical mindset needed for this role.