Sr. Category Manager (Indirect)

Howmet Aerospace•Torrance, CA

13h•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Category Manager will lead and develop strategy for external Spend Categories (Components, Outside Processing, MRO, and/or Raw Materials) in conjunction with Procurement and Location Leadership. This role involves managing supplier performance and development to mitigate supply shortages and maintain/improve manufacturing and delivery performance. The position requires collaboration with Location Operation Leadership, Quality Management, and Customers on qualification programs for critical second sources. The goal is to ensure the best total cost, lowest sourcing risks, and optimal supplier performance for all external spend within the Category. The role also provides support and guidance to Procurement, Operations, and Sales at the Locations to improve alignment between Demand and Supply, with a primary focus on Raw Material. Additionally, it supports customer actions and programs for efficient supply planning, new supplier qualification, and participation in enablement programs. The role drives for world-class performance by establishing best-in-class procurement processes, policies, and utilizing state-of-the-art procurement systems and tools.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from a 4 year University
Minimum 10 years of Procurement experience, preferably in aerospace, across a broad spectrum of Categories, including raw materials, purchased components, outside processing and MRO.
Employee must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
This position entails access to export-controlled items and employment offers are conditioned upon an applicant’s ability to lawfully obtain access to such items.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s or Master's degree in Business, Engineering, Management, Supply Chain, and/or Logistics from an accredited Institution.
Experience working in an aerospace and/or manufacturing environment
5+ years of experience in Procurement Management.
5+ years of experience International Supply Chain Management
Ability to communicate effectively in English plus French, German, and/or Spanish
Good communication and negotiation skills.
Understanding of terms and conditions documents, commercial agreements and contract language
Understands the stringent technical aspects of Aerospace requirements
Innovative / Strategic thinker with strategy development experience
Proven experience with customer relationship building & business development activity is desired
Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships across disciplines and with multiple levels of management.

Responsibilities

Responsible for HFS Spend within the respective Category, including price negotiations, terms & conditions, lead times, and contract development.
Develop a good understanding of supplier manufacturing capabilities, volume capacity, and technical capabilities.
Facilitate communication between suppliers and Location planners and buyers (RM, Components, OSP).
Develop a robust structured supplier onsite contact plan to ensure HFS priority and to assess performance (production, delivery, quality).
Develop standardized KPI performance reporting (OTD, Lead Times, Capacity) and organize and facilitate routine periodic Location feedback to suppliers regarding status of their performance and negotiate and monitor recovery plans as necessary.
Work with the Locations to implement 2nd sourcing for critical Products, with a primary focus on Raw Material.
Lead, co-lead, or support activities as required to meet objectives, such as Kaizen workshops, Consignment Programs, Stocking Programs.
Responsible for reporting cost savings, cost increases and spend leakage reporting, as well as other reporting requirements in support of procurement program management.