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Technical Buyer - Composites

On-site
  • Woking, England, United Kingdom
F1 - Operations

Job description

At McLaren, our mission is to set the standard for high performance in sport. And everyone, in every part of the team, has a role to play. So if you want to test your ideas with the world watching... And measure your progress in milliseconds... And play your part in racing history... You belong here. High performance starts with you.


Purpose of the Role:

The management of all the day-to-day purchasing activities in line with the programme and/or the performance upgrade plan.


Role Dimensions:

Reporting directly to the Head of Project Management this role is focused on two main areas:

  • Working within the purchasing and project teams to deliver the cost effective and timely procurement of components to support the programme.
  • Delivering improvements to the complete procurement process working collaboratively with key stakeholders across the McLaren Racing business, to ensure that requirements and strategic objectives are being met.


Principal Accountabilities:

All activities of purchasing in support of all programmes and projects with a focus on Engineered components, but not solely.

  • Development, loading and maintenance of purchase orders as necessary, ensuring on time delivery by the supplier is achieved to the required standard, while maintaining and developing constructive and collaborative supplier relationships.
  • Clear communication and prompt escalation where deviation from project plan is unavoidable.
  • Flexibility within, and support across the purchasing team in a wide range of tasks, will be required along with a professional and positive attitude and approach to the dynamic and varying demands of the business.
  • Supporting the Purchasing team in continuous improvement of processes and administrative functions required to complete role, to ensure a streamlined and efficient way of working.

Job requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

  • Ideally educated to degree level in an Engineering, Procurement or related discipline.
  • Ideal candidate has experience in precision engineering and manufacture but not essential – motorsport or high precision engineering industry experience would be a distinct advantage
  • Must have experience in composite manufacture
  • Experience in end-to-end purchasing and supply chain management from point of request of quotation through to part delivery
  • Knowledge of purchasing best-practice and continuous improvements techniques
  • Proven ability to independently lead negotiations and support in the development of strategies for large and complex projects.
  • Leadership qualities including gravitas, influencing and interpersonal skills. Will be able to constructively challenge and persuasively communicate at all levels internally and externally.
  • The role has periods of intense workload, and therefore the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and manage time effectively will be necessary.


Personal Attributes:

  • The candidate must be responsible, calm, focused and motivated, whilst demonstrating a proactive, organized, and flexible approach to changing priorities.
  • They will be expected to work with a high attention to detail.
  • They must be professional and capable of communicating at all levels, both internally and externally.
  • Ability to independently prioritise a demanding workload, and overcome obstacles or problems should they arise, managing stakeholders’ expectations accordingly.
  • Capability to lead and influence within a dynamic organisation.
  • Able to act under pressure with calmness, clarity of thought and decisive authority.
  • Strong communicator and influencer.
  • A flexible and adaptable approach to working practices and associated hours is necessary.


What McLaren can offer?

We constantly strive to be better tomorrow than we are today. Our ambition is to be the most pioneering and exhilarating racing team in the world, and our collective task is to set the standards for high performance in sport. We show up every day with energy and enthusiasm, ready to play our part.


We encourage and support diversity, equity and inclusion. We will actively promote a culture that values difference and eliminates discrimination in our workplace.


McLaren Racing is based at the iconic McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) near Woking. Our state of the art, sustainable campus offers many facilities including a gym, restaurant and indoor and outdoor break-out areas, as well as direct access to park and common land. The MTC is connected to Woking mainline station via regular shuttle buses, from which London Waterloo is a 30 minute train ride.


We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including private healthcare, car schemes, life insurance and generous pension contributions.

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