Business Manager - High Performance Automotive

Xtrac; Thatcham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in high-performance automotive solutions seeks a Business Manager to enhance customer relationships and drive sales growth. This role involves managing order fulfillment, developing pricing strategies, and creating business cases to ensure profitability. As the automotive sector evolves towards electric and hybrid technologies, this position offers a unique opportunity to be part of a transformative journey. Join a passionate team that values collaboration and innovation, contributing to the success of prestigious motorsport events and high-performance vehicles. If you're ready to make an impact, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

Qualifications

• Experience in customer-facing roles with strong relationship-building skills.
• Degree in relevant discipline with project management experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage customer relationships and ensure order fulfillment.
• Create and manage business cases for projects and pricing structures.
• Support demand planning and maintain accurate reporting.

Skills

Customer Relationship Management

Negotiation Skills

Project Management

Communication Skills

Analytical Skills

Education

Degree in Engineering

Degree in Business Management

Degree in Accounting

Tools

Epicor E10

Job description

Job Title: Business Manager – High Performance Automotive Division

Reporting to: Head of High Performance Automotive

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.

About the Role

To own and develop the quality of the commercial relationship with customers. To maintain the Orderbook and Sales Forecasts (committed and predicted orders) that make up the Sales Plan for customers they are responsible for. To ensure the on-hand inventory of parts is defined and monitored to meet the service level of customer accounts they are responsible for. To ensure every project, for customers they are responsible for, has a business case set up and maintained with the support of PMO to achieve business profitability.

Day to Day

1. Customer Relationship Management: Establish and manage and strengthen commercial relationships with customers.
2. Inform customers of order progress, to an appropriate level of detail.
3. Process customer orders.
4. Set up and maintain account plans and future strategies for existing customers, to deliver revenue in line with company targets.
5. Track and ensure completion of actions with customers that you have responsibility for.
6. Identify new business opportunities with existing customers, generate leads and convert to sales.

Order Fulfilment:

1. Input customer orders into the system (Epicor E10).
2. Input customer sales forecast into the system (Epicor E10).
3. Communicate delivery schedules to customers.
4. Liaise with stores to process shipment by the customers' desired method.
5. Ensure the most profitable balance of customers/spares/assemblies is being produced.

Pricing:

1. Propose pricing structures to internal management.
2. Negotiate prices with customers.

Business Cases:

1. Create and manage product and project business cases (assumptions, volumes, costs, labour rates, tooling, inflation, etc.).

Reporting:

1. Support Demand Planning with generating the consensus demand for spares.
2. Ensure data is up to date in the system to enable accurate status reporting.
3. Support Finance to ensure data they are reporting on is correct.

About You

1. Able to build trusting relationships with customers.
2. Able to clearly communicate expectations and results.
3. Able to adhere to deadlines.
4. Able to work in a team towards a common goal, not just individual ones.
5. Able to influence and negotiate at a middle management level.
6. Self-confident and able to make their own decisions.
7. Able to understand others' perspectives and factors that are important to them.
8. Able to dynamically learn, adapt and evolve processes as required.
9. Experience working in a customer-facing role.
10. Degree in a suitable discipline (Engineering, Business Management, Accounting, etc.).
11. 1-2 years’ relevant experience.
12. Engineering background or experience is preferred.
13. Project management skills desirable.
14. Accountancy experience desirable.

Example Activities

1. Follow the Opportunities Management Process and assess new opportunities against agreed criteria.
2. Carry out competitor analysis and maintain an understanding of market pricing.
3. Provide inputs into the Sales Plan and evidence with market intelligence.
4. Define the channels of own customer communication in line with customer needs, communicate and agree it internally.
5. Update and maintain customer account information.
6. Provide event support when and if the territory requires it.
7. Monitor and report on account success (customer satisfaction).
8. Manage the circulation of incoming customer documentation.
9. Manage communication channels of outgoing customer documentation (including technical documentation, parts and price lists, manuals, technical bulletins, and assembly drawings) in line with agreed communication plan.
10. Collate and communicate customer requirements, risks, and issues with all functions.
11. Maintain an understanding of the standard contractual terms and conditions.
12. Propose target margins based on surrogate BOMs and standard costs.
13. Provide quotations/proposals and confirm orders.
14. Ensure orders are placed and confirmed in line with the agreed Demand Plan.
15. Maintain alignment of delivery dates to the production plan.
16. Collate and communicate customer requirements where orders are not in line with inventory, forecasts, or capacity.
17. Collate and share forecasting information including assumptions to Demand Planning.
18. Review and agree forecasts.
19. Ensure the Sales Forecast and orders placed are accurate.
20. Propose achievable service levels for spares availability.
21. Review the value of spares and assemblies’ inventory in line with agreed target.
22. Provide product lifecycle information to Demand Planning (e.g. sunsetting requirements).
23. Ensure inventory requirements and targets are quantified for agreement.
24. Communicate target service levels for spares availability.
25. Ensure products are developed in line with the agreed Business Case (including market requirements).
26. Ensure the Business Case is updated through the project lifecycle through to Gate 7.
27. Report gross margin targets and outcomes (when standard costing is implemented).
28. Action any commercial impacts of change management.
29. Maintain and update all commercial tasks, risks, and issues in Proj-X.
30. Manage and approve RMAs as required.
31. Responsible for monitoring and updating the shipping dashboard in support of the Supply team.
32. Ensure credit limits are set and agreed.

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 remains 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.

DEI Statement

Xtrac believes that diversity is not only a fundamental value but also a key driver of innovation, growth, and success. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents.

We celebrate diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, and veteran status. We recognise that diverse teams are more creative, collaborative, and effective in solving complex problems and driving positive change.

Xtrac is dedicated to creating a culture of belonging where everyone can thrive and reach their full potential. We actively promote diversity and inclusion through recruitment, training and development, and advancement opportunities for all employees. By embracing diversity and fostering inclusivity, we not only strengthen our organisation but also enrich the experience of our employees and the communities we serve.

Join us at Xtrac and be part of a diverse and inclusive team that values and celebrates the unique contributions of every individual. Together we will drive innovation, excellence, and success. For more detail, salary, and company information, use the apply link.