McLaren Automotive Ltd
Senior Buyer - Electrical Systems & Controls
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What to Expect
The most innovative electrical and electronic technologies in the world's most exciting supercars..
Reporting to the Electrical Systems and Controls Purchasing Manager you will be responsible for defining and executing the sourcing strategy, commercial management and supplier performance for a portfolio of Electrical Systems & Controls commodities.
You will become the commercial subject matter expert for your commodity portfolio, working closely with Engineering, Quality, Finance, Manufacturing and suppliers to deliver best-in-class technology, cost, quality, timing and risk outcomes across current and future vehicle programmes.
Commodity portfolios you may manage include:
- Control Units & ECUs
- Sensors
- Switches
- Displays & HUD
- ADAS Hardware
- LV & HV Harnesses
- Connectivity Hardware
- Antennas
- Electrical Distribution Systems
- Power Electronics & Vehicle Control Systems
What You'll Do
- Own the end-to-end commodity strategy for your portfolio from concept through sourcing, industrialisation, launch, production and service support.
- Lead sourcing activities across new vehicle programmes including market analysis, supplier selection, RFQ management, commercial negotiations, nomination preparation and contract execution.
- Develop and execute commodity strategies that optimise cost, technology, quality, supply continuity and supplier capability while supporting business objectives and future product plans.
- Manage supplier relationships and performance, driving improvements in quality, delivery, cost competitiveness, capacity and technical capability.
- Take ownership of total lifecycle cost management, including piece price, tooling, D&D, logistics, warranty risk and future cost reduction opportunities.
- Identify and mitigate supply chain risks including capacity constraints, single-source exposure, financial risk, geopolitical risks and technology obsolescence.
- Partner with Engineering teams to influence technical solutions, challenge specifications, promote standardisation and support Design-to-Cost initiatives.
- Lead commercial negotiations for supplier nominations, cost reductions, engineering changes, claims and long-term agreements.
- Provide executive-level recommendations and present sourcing decisions, risks and business cases to senior leadership and sourcing governance forums.
- Support continuous improvement of procurement processes, tools and operating models, contributing to the development of a world-class Electrical Systems & Controls procurement function.
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What You'll Bring
- Significant procurement experience (typically 5-10 years) within automotive, aerospace, motorsport, electronics.
- Proven experience managing technical commodities and suppliers within a product development environment.
- Strong commercial negotiator with experience covering sourcing strategy, supplier selection, contract management and cost optimisation.
- Experience managing complex electrical, electronic or electromechanical components such as ECUs, sensors, harnesses, displays, connectivity devices or control systems.
- Strong understanding of product development and vehicle programme timing requirements.
- Able to understand engineering requirements and challenge costs, specifications and supplier proposals constructively.
- Demonstrable experience delivering cost savings, value engineering and supply chain risk mitigation.
- Comfortable presenting recommendations and influencing stakeholders at all levels of the business.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret BOMs, cost models, supplier quotations and business cases.
- Collaborative team player capable of building strong relationships across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance and Suppliers.
- Highly organised with strong ownership and accountability for delivering sourcing milestones and programme objectives.
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment with multiple priorities and competing business demands.
- Curious, resilient and driven to challenge conventional thinking and deliver better outcomes.
- Own sourcing readiness and programme for all assigned parts, ensuring RFQs, nominations, contracts, supplier readiness and launch activities are delivered in line with programme milestones.
- Develop and maintain forward-looking commodity strategies covering technology roadmaps, supplier capability, cost competitiveness and risk mitigation.
- Act as the single accountable owner for assigned commodities across all vehicle 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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