Senior Buyer
Employer name not established · Mauston, Wisconsin, United States · onsite
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.