McLaren Automotive Ltd
Buyer - Indirect
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We are currently recruiting for Indirect Buyer to be based at our site in Woking.
You will own the end-to-end sourcing and commercial management of manufacturing CAPEX suppliers—including automation cells, tooling, machinery, and test equipment—so that industrialisation for McLaren programmes lands on cost, on time, and to quality, while embedding robust supplier relationship management and risk control throughout the equipment lifecycle. Operate in a cross-functional environment (Procurement, Engineering, SQA/Quality, Manufacturing) to translate manufacturing needs into commercially sound, executable supplier solutions.
Supported by Senior Category Lead for onboarding, mentoring & first point of contact prior escalation.
The Buyer will be the focal point for supplier relationship management, ensuring performance, governance, and commercial alignment throughout the equipment lifecycle.
What You'll Do
CAPEX Sourcing & Delivery
- Lead RFx for CAPEX (specification alignment, bid packs, Q&A, clarifications), complete commercial/technical bid analysis, and steer supplier nomination.
- Execute contracts and purchase orders in line with McLaren CAPEX governance, including milestone validation, change-order control, invoice approval, and asset tagging for McLaren-owned equipment.
- Maintain tight linkage to programme milestones and factory readiness; support ramp-up/SOP industrialisation activities with Manufacturing.
Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)
- Be the commercial owner for strategic line-builders/equipment suppliers; run structured performance reviews, scorecards, and risk mapping; drive corrective actions and continuous improvement.
- Build senior-level relationships that secure technology access, capacity, and competitive commercial positions (including re-tenders or rebalancing when needed).
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Contracting & Commercial Governance
- Negotiate commercial terms (pricing, payment milestones/terms, warranty, service levels, liquidated damages where applicable) and manage change orders over the project life.
- Protect the commercial baseline by monitoring supplier capacity reservations and price validity windows; escalate early if the legal/commercial framework needs adaptation to keep terms whole.
- Support e-bidding/digital sourcing where appropriate to enhance competitiveness and auditability.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Operate in the McLaren Cross-functional environment (Procurement–Engineering–SQA-Manufacturing) to land robust technical scopes and quality plans (APQP/PPAP where relevant to equipment sign-off).
- Partner with Finance on CAPEX budgeting, NPV/TCO, and cash-flow phasing; keep stakeholders informed via agreed RASIC/role boundaries.
What You'll Bring
- Automotive Procurement experience preferred or strong Manufacturing understanding: 4+ years in automotive or complex manufacturing, with demonstrable CAPEX sourcing and contract execution (tooling, machinery, automation, test rigs).
- Commercial & contractual: Familiar with RFx process, bid analysis, negotiation of high-value equipment contracts (pricing, milestones, warranty/after-sales), and governance through to asset tagging/acceptance.
- Industrialisation know-how: Understanding of manufacturing readiness, SOP ramp-up, and interfaces to APQP/PPAP/quality gates where applicable.
- SRM & risk: Running supplier scorecards, risk mapping, recovery plans, and continuous improvement forums with line-builders/equipment OEMs.
- Stakeholder influence: Clear written/verbal communication with the ability to influence at senior level and navigate complex programmes.
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What We'll Do for You
We offer a wide-ranging benefits package, which includes:
- Structured career development framework
- 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.
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