Procurement Buyer

Job Summary    

The Procurement Specialist has major purchasing responsibility for assigned commodities and services, ensuring that all procurements are made in accordance with Howmet purchasing policies and procedures.  Provides materials and services required for efficient operations and secures favorable pricing through vendor negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Processes requisitions and places 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. 

• Negotiates pricing and terms with vendors to ensure that Howmet receives best value for each purchasing dollar expended. 

• Lead the sourcing process for the assigned commodities and projects.
• Develop sourcing strategies by analyzing the supply base, market conditions, and technology roadmaps,
• Lead contractual negotiations with suppliers on NDA’s, Terms & Conditions and Long-term agreements

• Identify potential suppliers, analyze capabilities, and develop a sourcing strategy and roadmap for Howmet stakeholders. Maintain positive, mutually beneficial relationships between suppliers and the Company. 

• Perform detailed analysis of supplier quote submissions based on cost breakdown data and support it with Total Cost of Ownership and should-costs.
• Prepare and present reports on procurement performance, supplier evaluations, and cost analyses.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives in the procurement process and overall tooling strategy.
• Identify and implement cost reductions on new and series production products and services.
• Manage supplier relationships, monitoring supplier performance, competitiveness and taking necessary steps to address gaps and resolve issues.
• Support the efforts of supplier quality team for supplier development, qualification, and quality issues resolution.
• Monitors supplier performance, maintaining a close relationship with vendors.  May visit vendor facilities to review operations and suggest resources for improvement.   
• Works closely with Engineering, Research & Development, Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, and other internal customers to determine requirements and to ensure superior levels of service. 
• Coordinates the purchasing process and provides guidance and direction on implementing and maintaining best practices. 
• Track and report spend expenditure, ensuring alignment with financial targets.
• Collaborate with finance and production teams to forecast spend costs and support budgeting activities.
• Maintain accurate records of orders, deliveries, and inventory in the procurement system.
• Utilizes electronic business enterprise systems to leverage management of purchasing activities.   
• Serves as a resource to the organization and provides education and training on purchasing matters. 
• Ensures that all work activities are performed in accordance with established safety and environmental standards.   
• Maintains full compliance with Company policies and procedures and conducts all activities in accordance with the Howmet Code of Conduct. 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Production Management, Logistics, Information Systems or a closely related discipline is required.   
• 5+ years of experience purchasing a wide range of materials, products, and services in a manufacturing environment. 
• Understanding of the principles of lean manufacturing. 
• Thorough knowledge of electronic business enterprise systems. 
• Strong interpersonal skills to interface effectively with vendors and internal/external customers.   
• Excellent negotiations skills to secure best value for the Company.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, 

duties and skills required of incumbents in this job classification.