Senior buyer

RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Responsibilities

• Procurement & Sourcing Strategy
• Develop and execute long-term sourcing and procurement strategies aligned with the company’s production goals and financial forecasts.
• Process requisitions and place purchase orders to ensure a continuous supply of materials and services, maintaining responsibility for each procurement until all items are received, accepted, invoiced and paid.
• Negotiate pricing and terms with vendors to ensure that Howmet receives best value for each purchasing dollar expended.
• Lead contractual negotiations with suppliers on NDA’s, Terms & Conditions and Long-term agreements.
• Identify and implement cost reductions on new and series production products and services.
• Continuously evaluate market trends, raw material pricing fluctuations, and lead time to make proactive purchasing decisions.
• Supplier & Vendor Management
• Identify, evaluate, and qualify new vendors and suppliers based on cost, capacity, quality standards, and delivery reliability.
• Negotiate pricing, commercial terms, payment schedules, and master service agreements with suppliers.
• Monitor supplier performance using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for quality, delivery, and responsiveness.
• Partner with underperforming suppliers to establish recovery, corrective, and preventative action plans.
• Cost Optimization & Risk Management
• Identify cost-saving opportunities through strategic sourcing, volume rebates, or alternative material evaluations without compromising quality.
• Access and mitigate supply chain risks, such as geopolitical disruptions, sole-source vulnerabilities, or capacity constraints, by developing secondary backup suppliers.
• Administer and track the departmental procurement budget.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Collaborate closely with (Manufacturing, Operations, Engineering, Quality Control, and Finance) to align material availability with production schedules.
• Provide visibility into material shortages, market price shifts, and risk recovery timelines to executive leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education & Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• 5 to 7+ years of progressive experience in purchasing, sourcing, or procurement within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Technical Skills
• Advanced proficiency and able to learn new systems.
• Strong data analysis skills to evaluate supplier spend, forecast demand, and conduct price/cost breakdowns.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing processes (e.g., metal fabrication, machining, electronics, or raw material assembly depending on your specific niche).
• Soft Skills & Competencies
• Exceptional negotiation and conflict-resolution skills.
• High attention to detail and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven manufacturing environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication abilities.
• Preferred Credentials
• Professional certifications such as CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management), CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional), or CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply).

Benefits/Salary:

• The position includes competitive wages and a comprehensive benefits package available day one of hire, including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), excellent 401k matching program, paid holidays and vacation. Howmet Aerospace curates a strong working environment through opportunities for career progression, community engagement activities, and flexible schedules contingent upon role and location.