Xtrac is the world’s leading design and manufacture of specialist transmissions. Our customers include the top motorsports racing series including Formula One, Le Mans, IndyCar and NASCAR and we also supply transmissions for the most exclusive high-performance cars in the world. We are at the forefront of a once-in-a-generation opportunity as the automotive industry transitions from internal combustion to electric and hybrid and our experienced and dedicated teams are using the latest cutting-edge technology to achieve this transition.
Xtrac forms part of a wider group of companies that further complement Xtrac’s service offering to industry, presenting opportunities for the procurement team to effectively consolidate and leverage spend at a Group level wherever possible.
One of these group companies is Zoerkler, a specialist in gear manufacture and precision engineering. This strategic venture marks a significant step forward in our ambitious growth plans and reinforces our commitment to delivering world-class transmission components and systems to our customers.
About the Role
The Snr Category Buyer will identify (with the Supply Chain Director) and take full ownership of agreed commodity purchases, delivering robust day to day operational supply chain / procurement solutions together with full strategic category management responsibility, leveraging spend effectively across Xtrac and the wider group of companies.
Day to Day
- Responsible for agreed procurement commodity/category spend against business need “Risk/Spend/Capacity/Quality and Technology” etc.
- RFI / RFQ generation, down select and contract award “supplier selection”.
- Agree change management process mitigating against any increased risks e.g. ensuring FAI’s in place against any change of supply / increased oversight for period.
- Lead onboarding activities for new supply partners as required working with other functions such as Quality to ensure audits are completed.
- Develop, execute supplier agreements where required.
- Evaluation and monitoring of Supplier performance against Project/Contract deliverables.
- Managing supplier relationships, conducting on-site/off-site reviews where necessary.
- Support / Drive cost reduction activities, reducing overall BOM and assembly cost together with lead times.
- Utilising purchasing metrics to evaluate Project success / deliverables achieved.
- Support / drive continuous improvement actions.
- Continually assess supply chain risks and initiate mitigation plans & actions via agreed projects.
- Facilitate DFM reviews where appropriate.
About You
- Extensive and proven experience at Senior Buyer level within a complex manufacturing environment.
- Strong end-to-end commodity / category management experience, shaping and delivering sourcing and supply strategies in line with business need.
- Day to day order administration and management using ERP/MRP systems.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with ability to influence and lead.
- Strong time management skills with emphasis on delivery of projects on time meeting agreed deliverables.
- To resolve quality or non-conformances issues with Quality Department relating to projects.
- To participate in concurrent engineering with designers/suppliers to aid DFM and lead-time reductions.
- To liaise with Finance department to resolve invoicing queries.
- To carry out supplier performance management (Quality/Delivery/Cost/Risk).
- To carry out supplier selection and development.
- To identify and participate in costing saving exercises.
- To develop departmental strategies to improve operating efficiencies.
- To attend annual Personal Development Reviews (PDR).
- To support the Department Development Plans.
- To follow the company quality procedures.
- To always observe the Health and Safety rules.
The Future
- By having a can-do mindset and proactive approach this role could progress/expand to having greater accountability in delivering supply chain initiatives across Xtrac and the wider group.
- Strong commercial acumen, a thorough understanding of our business as well as strong relationship skills may lead to other roles across Xtrac.
- Become Xtrac’s Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Complex Procurement Project delivery, the “Go to Person”
- Purchasing Manager opportunities – when available
About Xtrac
Here at Xtrac, we are one of the world’s leading manufacturers of Motorsport and High-Performance Automotive Transmission Solutions. Our products are used internationally across the most prestigious motorsport events so naturally we have a passion for winning and continuously improving, whether that be our products, our people, or our business. Our vision is to transform into a world class high performance automotive supplier whilst retaining our position as a world leader in motorsport, so now is the time to join our journey, make an impact and contribute to the success of our future.
What makes us who we are is our people. We share behaviours and values to ensure Xtrac remain world class and have a culture that delivers!
We are…
Passionate
Accountable
Collaborative
Externally Focused
Yearn to Learn
If you’re looking for an exciting new opportunity, you could be just what Xtrac are looking for.
