Category Manager

Responsibilities: 

Howmet Aerospace (Structures) currently seeks a Category Manager to join our team! This role will manage specific commodities within Direct Raw Materials procurement for Howmet Structures (HSS) Business Unit including Aluminum Products, Titanium Products, Nickel Products and assigned categories as well as the management of critical supplier relationships. The position will report directly to the Sr. Manager, Raw Materials Procurement.

The overall goal is to achieve the best total cost position and develop optimal sourcing strategies while managing/controlling internal raw material inventories for all external spend within these categories to ensure the highest efficiency and effectiveness for the business strategies, annual EBITDA and cash targets. Position is located in Howmet Cleveland, Ohio.

The person in this role must be able to build cross functional relationships with key business unit stakeholders and leverage location procurement staff to drive alignment within the business and maximize results. The person in this role must be able to execute global best-in-class procurement processes using state-of-the-art procurement IT software support, ensuring the Procurement organization is utilizing

Essential Functions/ Job Responsibilities 

• Direct responsibility for spend within Aluminum Products, Titanium Products, Nickel Products and assigned categories across our HSS business locations in North America.
• Achieves Procurement targets across HSS for Aluminum Products, Titanium Products, Nickel Products and assigned categories (cost, innovation, quality)
• Develops and executes Procurement strategies that will drive low-cost sourcing and on-time delivery of quality products that meet BU requirements and meet business targets.
• Drives the “avoidance of single source situations” into procurement process. 
• Maintains business relationships with representatives of strategic suppliers for assigned categories. Serves as point of contact for supplier issues within assigned categories including issues related to service, commercial terms, and contract disputes. 

• Collaborate with other Procurement team members and Business Unit Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Maintenance and Engineering functions using forums such as workshops to achieve category cost savings targets

• Leads, co-leads, or supports commercial sourcing activity across all assigned categories as required to meet BU and Company objectives
• Leads, co-leads, or supports non-commercial events as required to meet objectives, including, but not limited to Kaizen workshops, Working Capital/Inventory Workshops
• Executes contract negotiations on commercial terms and conditions with suppliers classified in these commodity groups or assigned by Procurement leadership
• Accountable for Performance areas such as Cost Savings (SRT), Supplier performance, Productivity improvement and reviews of material & service specifications (demand management) opportunities.
• Develop and execute commercial plans on a year-over-year basis in accordance with business unit objectives
• Work with the commercial sales organization as needed to ensure that supplier contracts align with commercial programs as applicable and are aligned with the terms of the agreements placed with our customers
• Work with plant location procurement team and key stakeholders to understand supplier performance and drive improvements when necessary. Ensure regular scorecard reviews are held with key suppliers.
• Track key metal market indicators. Leverage global shared services to gather this data.
• Communicate with a wide range of stakeholders in finance, operations, engineering, business unit leadership; collaborate with metal buyers/planners to ensure successful execution of contract parameters while maximizing results for the business. 

Basic Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Management, Supply Chain, Logistics, Data Science/Analytics, and/or Engineering from accredited institution
• 5 years of Procurement experience, preferably in aerospace and/or manufacturing environment, across broad spectrum of Categories
• Ability to work in a team environment driven by a common goal
• Must be willing to travel as needed between HSS Ohio facilities. Cleveland, Canton, and Niles
• Must be willing to travel up to 15% to other HSS locations. Georgia, Virginia, Minnesota, Texas, Missouri, and multiple suppliers’ sites across the United States

Preferred: 

• Engineering degree 
• Good communication and negotiation skills 
• Project management and continuous improvement skillset 
• Data driven, innovative and strategic thinker 
• Customer-oriented w