Category Manager - Direct Materials

Socket.dev; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Arconic is seeking a Category Manager, Direct Materials to develop and execute global category strategies for alloying materials central to manufacturing operations. You will manage a multi-million-dollar spend, drive cost reductions, and lead strategic sourcing initiatives with internal partners and key suppliers.

The role requires a strategic mindset, strong commercial acumen, and ability to navigate global markets, ensuring supply continuity and sustainable cost improvements across the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Finance, or related field.
• 10+ years not required for this role?
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in procurement or strategic sourcing.
• Experience negotiating complex commercial agreements and managing supplier relationships.
• Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Own the global category strategy, sourcing, and supplier management for alloying materials.
• Develop and execute category strategies with market intelligence, supplier segmentation, risk management, and total cost optimization.
• Deliver annual procurement value through cost reduction programs and supplier performance initiatives.
• Monitor global commodity markets, supplier performance, geopolitical developments, and industry trends.
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives including market assessments, RFQ events, negotiations, and contract awards.
• Establish and maintain relationships with strategic suppliers and drive continuous improvement in cost, quality, delivery, innovation, and sustainability.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, supply chain, quality, finance, and commercial teams to align sourcing strategies with business needs.
• Champion supplier relationship management activities including executive reviews and performance scorecards.
• Use spend analytics, market intelligence, and procurement systems to identify opportunities.
• Influence stakeholders by presenting category strategies, market updates, and sourcing outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies and ethical sourcing standards.
• Travel up to 25% as required.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Supplier relationship management

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Contract negotiation

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Procurement systems

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Reporting to the Director, Metal Procurement, the Category Manager, Direct Materials is responsible for developing and executing global category strategies for alloying materials critical to Arconic's manufacturing operations. This role leads the commercial management of a multi-million-dollar spend portfolio, driving competitive advantage through strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, market intelligence, risk mitigation, and total cost optimization.

The successful candidate will partner closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, and Business Unit leadership to ensure continuity of supply, deliver sustainable cost improvements, and support the company's growth and profitability objectives. This position requires a strategic mindset, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to navigate complex global supply markets while building collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders and key suppliers.

Responsibilities

In This Role, You Will:

• Own the global category strategy, sourcing, and supplier management activities for alloying materials, including magnesium, lithium, silicon, zinc, manganese, and other strategic alloy additions.
• Develop and execute comprehensive category strategies that align with business objectives and incorporate market intelligence, supplier segmentation, risk management, sustainability initiatives, and total cost optimization.
• Deliver annual procurement value through cost reduction programs, productivity initiatives, risk mitigation activities, supply assurance programs, and working capital improvements.
• Monitor global commodity markets, supplier performance, geopolitical developments, and industry trends to proactively identify risks and opportunities that impact business performance.
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives, including market assessments, supplier evaluations, RFQ events, negotiations, and contract awards.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with strategic suppliers while driving continuous improvement in cost, quality, delivery, innovation, and sustainability performance.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, supply chain, quality, finance, and commercial teams to ensure sourcing strategies are aligned with business requirements and operational needs.
• Champion supplier relationship management activities, including executive business reviews, performance scorecards, corrective action plans, and long-term strategic partnerships.
• Utilize spend analytics, market intelligence, and procurement systems to identify sourcing opportunities and support data-driven decision-making.
• Influence key stakeholders and senior leadership by preparing and presenting category strategies, market updates, supplier recommendations, and sourcing outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with company procurement policies, governance requirements, and ethical sourcing standards.
• Travel up to 25% as required to support supplier engagement, business reviews, negotiations, and operational requirements.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, commodity management, or related commercial roles.
• Experience negotiating complex commercial agreements and managing strategic supplier relationships.
• Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects and influencing stakeholders in a matrix organization.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and procurement-related systems.
• Employees 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 requires access to controlled technology, as defined in the Export Administration Regulations (15 C.F.R. §730, et seq.) and/or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Qualified candidate must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the relevant government agency. Business demands may require employer to proceed with candidates who are immediately eligible to access controlled technology.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Experience sourcing metals, alloying materials, raw materials, or other commodity-based products.
• Knowledge of global commodity markets and supply chain risk management principles.
• Experience developing and executing global category strategies.
• Strong understanding of contract management, supplier performance management, and total cost of ownership methodologies.
• Demonstrated success delivering measurable cost savings and business value through strategic procurement initiatives.
• MBA, CPSM, CPM, CIPS, or equivalent professional certification preferred.