Senior Buyer

Howmet Aerospace Inc.; Mauston (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k matching

Paid holidays

Vacation time

Career progression

Job summary

Howmet Aerospace Inc. in Mauston, WI seeks a seasoned Procurement Leader to develop long-term sourcing strategies and manage supplier relationships from requisition to payment, ensuring supply continuity aligned with production forecasts.

You will lead negotiations, drive cost reductions on both new and series production, monitor supplier performance with KPIs, and collaborate with Manufacturing, Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Finance to ensure material availability and timely production

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, or related field.
• 5 to 7+ years of progressive experience in purchasing, sourcing, or procurement within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• 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).
• 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.
• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CSCP, or CIPS.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute long-term sourcing and procurement strategies aligned with 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 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 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.
• Collaborate 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.

Skills

System proficiency

Data analysis

Manufacturing processes

Negotiation skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

• 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

Responsibilities

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

Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Supply ChainManagement, 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.

About Us

Compensation and Benefits:

If a pay range is identified for this job, it is based on a good faith estimate at the time of this posting. Actual compensation is subject to variation due to factors such as education, experience, skillset, market/business considerations, and/or location.

Howmet Aerospace offers a competitive benefits package to support the health, financial well-being, and professional growth of our employees. Benefits include:

• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision benefits coverage, including FSA and HSA account options
• Pre-tax and Roth 401(k) retirement savings plans offering employer matching funds and a separate employer retirement contribution
• Paid holidays and vacation time (eligibility, accrual, and usage are discretionary and governed by applicable policies)
• Paid parental leave and adoption assistance programs
• Life insurance and disability coverage plans
• Optional coverage plans for auto, home, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance
• Tuition Assistance Program and ongoing professional development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Our Story:

Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. Our primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, titanium structural parts and forged wheels. With $8.3 Billion in revenue in 2025, our products play a crucial role in enabling fuel efficiency and lightweighting, contributing to our customers’ success and making a positive impact on the world. To learn more about the way Howmet Aerospace Inc. is advancing the sustainability of our customers, markets, and communities where we operate, review the 2025 Environmental Social and Governance report at www.howmet.com/esg-report . Follow: LinkedIn , Twitter , Instagram , Facebook , and YouTube .

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Howmet is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.