Senior Buyer - Interiors

Reporting to the Purchasing Manager, this is an exciting and unique opportunity to join McLaren Automotive’s Purchasing team.

The role involves management of multimillion pound portfolios, co-ordination and full autonomy for supplier nomination and long-term strategies within a chosen function group.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing supplier contracts and commercial negotiations
• Effective resolution of all critical supply issues and status reporting to the project team
• Minimisation and mitigation of costs, project risks, negative relationships with suppliers and threats to the organisation’s ability to design, develop and manufacture products on time, to cost and at the required quality standards
• Driving cost-down activities with suppliers and VA/VE activities
• Leading pre-launch supplier management activities to ensure readiness for series production
• Developing supplier evaluation methods and driving performance improvement initiatives
• Executing management reporting
• Configuring and developing business operating systems to ensure effective working methods
• Budgetary control of all associated cost centres

The successful candidate will also be responsible for managing people, including:

• Representing the function group at programme gateways and cost workshops
• Mentoring buyers within the team and sharing best practice
• Supporting and fostering a cross-functional approach to achieve objectives
• Engaging with Engineering to exert influence
• Setting clear objectives and monitoring performance of suppliers and other functions within the organisation

The ideal candidate will have:

• The ability to lead negotiations and support teams in the development of negotiations strategies for large and complex projects
• Excellent influencing and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrable commercial success within an Automotive and/or manufacturing environment
• Excellent organisational skills, deadline adherence and exceptional attention to accuracy and detail
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
• The ability to act under pressure with calmness, clarity of thought and decisive authority
• A determination to drive forward the business to ‘Best in Class’ performance standards
• A flexible approach to working hours and practices
• Experience of launch management/new model integration
• The ability to play a lead role in contract implementation and management
• A good working knowledge of manufacturing and quality processes
• Proven supply chain management and procurement experience
• MCIPS qualification
• Previous direct procurement experience in a relevant industry
• Completion of a minimum of two new product introduction cycles

We offer a wide-ranging benefits package, including:

• Structured career development framework
• 25 days’ holiday, plus bank holiday
• 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
• Generous parental leave policies
• A range of wellbeing initiatives