Senior Buyer

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 & 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.