Sr. Category Manager (Indirect)

Howmet Aerospace; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k matching

Paid holidays

Vacation

Job summary

Howmet Aerospace is seeking a Senior Category Manager to lead external spend strategies in Components, Outside Processing, MRO, and Raw Materials. You will drive supplier performance, manage risk, and coordinate with Location Leadership, Quality, and Customers on qualification programs for critical second sources.

The role emphasizes strategic sourcing, cost optimization, and robust supplier networks, with on-site work across Torrance area locations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 10+ years procurement experience.
• Experience in aerospace procurement across raw materials, components, OSP, and MRO.
• Ability to work legally in the United States; export controls awareness.
• Strong negotiation, contract language understanding, and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy for external spend categories (Components, OSP, MRO, Raw Materials).
• Develop supplier performance programs to reduce supply risk and improve delivery.
• Collaborate with Location Leadership, Quality, and Customers on qualification programs for critical 2nd sources.
• Negotiate terms, price, and contracts to ensure best total cost and supplier performance.
• Implement 2nd sourcing for critical products, especially Raw Material, with KPI reporting (OTD, lead times).

Skills

Procurement leadership

Strategic sourcing

Supplier management

Cross-functional work

Multilingual

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Responsibilities

• Senior Category Manager leads and develops strategy for external Spend Categories (Components, Outside Processing, MRO, and/or Raw Materials) in conjunction with Procurement and Location Leadership.
• Manage the performance and development of suppliers to reduce risk of supply shortages to maintain and improve Location manufacturing and delivery performance.
• Works with Location Operation Leadership, Quality Management, and Customers on the development and implementation of qualification programs for critical 2nd sources.
• Ensure the best total cost position for all external spend within the Category, the lowest sourcing risks, and the best supplier performance.
• Provide both support and guidance to Procurement, Operations, and Sales at the Locations to improve the overall alignment between Demand and Supply, with primary focus on Raw Material.
• Support actions / programs from customers to achieve efficient supply planning, qualification of new suppliers, and participation in enablement programs.
• Drive to function at world‑class level by establishing best‑in‑class procurement processes and policies and utilization of state‑of‑the‑art procurement systems and tools.
• Responsible for HFS Spend within the respective Category, including price negotiations, terms & conditions, lead times, and contract development.
• Develop 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.

Major Activities / Key Challenges

• Responsible for HFS Spend within the respective Category, including price negotiations, terms & conditions, lead times, and contract development.
• Develop 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.

Basic Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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 in 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.

Additional Requirements

• Must be able to work on site full time at either Torrance, Brea, Carson, and/or Fullerton.
• Must be able to work at time zones outside of standard business hours due to domestic and/or international customers and suppliers.

Benefits / Salary

The position includes competitive wages and a comprehensive benefits package, 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. The salary range for this position is $145K‑185K.

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.

If you need assistance to complete your application due to a disability, please email [e-mail].