Senior Buyer

• Locations 1025 Parker Dr., Mauston, WI, 53948, US (On-site)
• Job Schedule Full time
• Export-Controlled Data 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

Key Responsibilities

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.

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.

• 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).

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.

Compensation and Benefits:

If a pay range is identified for…