Purchasing Category Manager- Mechanical

About Stark

Stark builds the worlds most powerful electric motorcycles. From the VARG MX to the road-legal VARG EX & SM our bikes have won world championships and are engineered to outperform anything with a combustion engine.

Were based in Sant Boi Barcelona growing fast (77% year-on-year) and building a team that will take us even further. If you want to work on a product that people are genuinely obsessed with this is it.

Stark will become the global market leader in premium motorcycles. Building premium motorcycles requires innovation and we need your help to make us succeed in building the backend for our AI systems.

Our mission is to lead the way towards a sustainable motorcycle industry by reducing plastic and CO2 pollution.

This will be achieved by building sustainable products that are superior to traditional technology in terms of Performance Emotion and Design.

The Role

We are seeking a motivated Purchasing Category Manager to lead our Mechanical

Purchasing team. This role is dedicated to sourcing high-performance mechanical parts

specialized vehicle components and technical assemblies essential to our product

excellence. The Category Manager will build robust relationships with global mechanical suppliers to

ensure we hit aggressive cost quality and delivery targets. We operate in a fast-moving

dynamic environment where flexibility and a self-starter mentality are vital for success.

This role reports directly to the Purchasing Director. You will work cross-functionally with

Engineering Quality and Supply Chain teams to provide optimal supply assurance and

technical performance

What Youll Do

• Strategic Sourcing: Identify and select world-class manufacturers for mechanical components and subassemblies

• Build relationships with manufacturers and strategic partners in order to convince and motivate the best of them to prioritise Stark

• Ensures NDA and Master Purchase Agreement in place before business is initiated.

• Owner of RFIs RFPs and RFQs - ensuring all commercial terms are agreed and documented.

• Identify potential suppliers analyse supplier capabilities select suppliers and determine prices terms and conditions of agreements.

• Find suppliers that can integrate new technologies into our industry in order to increase our performance reduce cost or improve sustainability

• Drive price negotiations to ensure that Stark pricing is best in class.

• Drive continual cost reduction activities.

• Reduced delivery time for critical parts components and subassemblies

• Minimise stock value but never be out of stock

• Identify supplier consolidation opportunities that will generate savings.

• Manage supplier relationships and performance including dispute resolution.

• Monitor current category market conditions technology roadmaps and identify supply/demand challenges & opportunities.

• Create competitive environments with suppliers to support a negotiation strategy.

• Lead the vendor selection process with engineering teams.

• Work closely and collaboratively with Stark Future other departments as Engineering Quality Supply Chain Production Engineering and Production.

• Work with our Lean Manufacturing Philosophy

• Collaboration in the management of the supply chain at all times (presenting the Just in time philosophy)

• Be a leader figure within the company we believe in leading by example

• Challenge areas within the company you believe could be improved including all areas of the company

• Suggest and execute new strategies to improve Stark products

• Travel when needed attend and lead important racing events

• Consider ROI with all projects. We do not always require written documentation but ROI consideration must be part of the process

What you will bring to Stark

• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in senior sourcing specifically within the automotive or high-performance machinery sectors.

• Technical Expertise: Extensive knowledge of the global mechanical supplier landscape (Tier 1 & Tier 2) for precision components and assemblies

• Passionate about sustainability and a will to change the world for the better

• Results oriented highly analytical and organized. Used to using data to drive decision-making

• Excellent communication and influencing skills with the ability to engage with all levels of business stakeholders

• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple work streams simultaneously

• Fluent in English is a must Spanish is desired

• Bachelors degree in business administration or engineering

Why work with us

• The chance to work on a product people are genuinely passionate about

• A fast-growing company with real momentum

• A creative international team based in Barcelona

• Competitive salary and benefits package

• Direct access to riders race teams and the product this is not a remote-from-the-product role

• Subsidized lunch in our in house restaurant

• Free access to our in-house gym (including weekends!)

• 30 days of paid vacation

At Stark we dont just accept differencewe celebrate it we support it and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees our products and our community.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone regardless of gender identity sexual orientation race religion age neurodiversity or disability feels a true sense of belonging. We believe that diverse teams make better decisions and that a culture of equity is a prerequisite for innovation.

Accessibility: If you require any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process (such as assistive technology extra time or a specific format) please let us know at We are here to support you.

We encourage applications from underrepresented groups and are excited to see how your unique perspective can help us grow