Senior Buyer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Nov 5, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 23, 2026. Howmet Aerospace scores B on the Alion truth index.
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.