Overview
The Senior Programme Purchasing Manager leads programme-level purchasing activities for assigned vehicle or platform programmes from concept through serial production. While sourcing execution is delivered in partnership with Commodity Purchasing teams, this role is accountable for defining the right-to-left sourcing and supplier nomination strategy required to meet programme cost, timing, quality, and risk objectives.
The role drives early cost discipline through cross-functional cost events, encourages design-to-cost discussions, informed attribute trade-off decisions, and maximisation of carryover content in close collaboration with Engineering. The position also provides leadership, coaching, and direction to a small team of programme purchasing professionals.
Please note this role can be Bicester or Woking based
What You\'ll Do
* Own the programme-level sourcing and supplier nomination strategy, developed collaboratively with Commodity Purchasing
* Define right-to-left sourcing plans based on programme timing, volumes, technical scope, and cost targets
* Ensure sourcing strategies align with programme gateways, milestones, and business objectives
* Act as the purchasing lead within cross-functional programme teams
* Lead, coach, and develop a small team of Programme / Project Purchasing professionals
* Set clear objectives, priorities, and accountability aligned to programme and business goals
* Support capability development, knowledge sharing, and succession planning within the team
* Foster strong collaboration between programme purchasing, commodity teams, and cross-functional stakeholders
Commodity Purchasing Interface
* Work closely with Commodity Purchasing teams to translate programme sourcing strategies into executable sourcing actions
* Align on supplier selection logic, nomination timing, and commercial approach
* Ensure programme requirements are reflected within broader commodity strategies
Cost Management & Cost Events
* Lead cross-functional cost events involving Purchasing, Engineering, Finance, Manufacturing, and Quality
* Encourage design-to-cost discussions, cost transparency, and informed attribute and content trade-off decisions
* Develop cross-functionally aligned cost targets (piece price, tooling, investment)
* Define sourcing strategies capable of delivering agreed cost and profitability objectives
Engineering Collaboration & Carryover Strategy
* Work closely with Engineering to identify and maximise carryover content where technically and commercially viable
* Influence architectural and technical decisions to optimise reuse, standardisation, and supplier continuity
* Ensure carryover strategies are reflected in sourcing plans, cost targets, and supplier nominations
* Lead programme-level commercial alignment for supplier nominations, including pricing, tooling, capacity, and assumptions
* Challenge supplier proposals to ensure competitiveness, robustness, and scalability
* Ensure nominations support launch readiness, supply continuity, and risk mitigation
* Serve as the primary purchasing interface to Programme Management
* Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Finance, and Logistics to support programme delivery
* Ensure purchasing deliverables meet programme decision points and governance requirements
* Identify and mitigate commercial, supply, and timing risks at programme level
* Lead escalation and resolution of purchasing-related issues impacting programme delivery
* Manage the purchasing impact of engineering changes, volume changes, and timing shifts
Governance, Reporting & Compliance
* Track and report programme purchasing KPIs including cost, sourcing status, and supplier readiness
* Prepare and present sourcing, cost, and risk updates to senior leadership and programme forums
* Ensure compliance with purchasing processes, governance standards, and audit requirements
What You'll Bring
Required Qualifications & Experience
* Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, or related discipline
* Automotive purchasing experience, with strong exposure to programme or project purchasing
* Prior experience leading or mentoring a small team
* Proven ability to influence Engineering and Commodity Purchasing stakeholders
* Strong understanding of automotive product development and sourcing lifecycles
* Programme and people leadership
* Right-to-left sourcing and supplier nomination planning
* Cross-functional cost leadership and financial acumen
* Ability to influence technical and attribute decisions without direct authority
* Strong communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
What We'll Do for You
We offer a wide – ranging benefits package, which includes:
* 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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