Buyer - Whitehall, MI

Job Description

Job Description

The Procurement Buyer reports to the Plant Procurement Lead. He/she supports the Plant & Segment Procurement Team on relevant Procurement activities, measurables and operational activities in the execution of procurement strategies. Performance areas include Cost Savings (SRT), Supplier performance, ASAT testing, Audit support, Transactional support. The overall goal is to provide the best possible support of the Plant Procurement team, achieving the best cost position & procurement results of the respective Business Unit plant.

Job Roles

• Business Aware-- Understands stakeholder needs from a business perspective; attends to plant needs and spends time with stakeholders to ensure thorough understanding and accurate execution; data oriented

• Relationship and Network-- maintains and expands relationships internal customers and with external partners; strengthens trust; increases collaboration

• Achievement Oriented-- manages significant to-do list; works proactively to complete tasks and stay ahead of demand; expedites as needed; strong execution mindset

• Communication and Feedback-- consistently available and responsive; serves as conduit between business and suppliers; provides information in a timely fashion; delivers feedback and ensures accountability as needed; seeks and provides updates

• Flexibility-- manages priorities well; understands how to negotiate various deadlines and tensions both within the business and between the business and its partners; adept at handling a broad variety of situations and constituents; resourceful; can move from one task to another quickly

• Integrity-- operates with utmost ethics; trustworthy; reports accurately; abides by agreed terms and conditions; participates in audit and compliance endeavors

• Troubleshooting and Problem Solving-- functions as a resource to ensure continuity; offers solutions; solves problems as they arise; collaborates cross functionally to ensure best practices; analytical

• Organization and Structure-- manages workload efficiently; manages time and deadlines well; uses systems and technology well; plans ahead where possible but able to address demands that arise in the moment; owns processes and follow through; strong project management ability

• Influence and Negotiation-- works directly with suppliers to secure favorable terms and ensure their performance; displays courage or toughness, holding others accountable when required; represents interests and perspectives both of supplier and organization; leads negotiations as required

• Anticipation and Forecasting-- works closely with business leaders to understand future needs and aspirations; works with internal partners to understand future needs; develops secondary sources as required

Key Responsibilities

• Works in close conjunction and alignment with other applicable Casting Facilities
• Assists on benchmarking efforts, should-be-cost analysis and business cases
• Supports the Segment Procurement Team in planning and monitoring suppliers, ASAT, etc..
• Creates / develops and accounts for tools and templates to simplify and streamline efficient communication between team members, as well as efficient execution on all procurement-related tasks
• Supports internal and external communication on procurement tasks and goals
• Serves as help desk and support function on high yield procurement activities, e.g. supplier summits
• Communicates with suppliers on operational topics and supports negotiations and RFQs/RFPs in close alignment with the Strategic Buyers
• Participates in supplier meetings as needed
• Liaises with Financial Shared Services to resolve purchase to pay issues
• Work with and support other buyer/planners or operations staff to execute purchase orders, solve AP issues & communicate with suppliers as needed
• Interface with other departments (Shipping, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality) to resolve problems with timely resolution
• Helps to ensure that Global Procedures, quality and the standards for the department are adhered to and maintained
• Interface with other Buyers as well as production to resolve problems relevant to direct materials and services, raw material quality, quantity verification and delivery in support of production demands

Basic Qualifications ​

• Bachelor’s (4 year) degree in Business Administration, Economics, Supply Chain or related program of study
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous knowledge of procurement processes, especially purchase-to-pay (operational)
• Technical understanding preferred
• Proficiency in data mining and software applications
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Customer-oriented attitude
• Previous experience work with Oracle

Howmet Aerospace, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. The Company’s primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems and titanium structural parts necessary for mission-critical performance and efficiency in aerospace and defense applications, as well as forged wheels for commercial transportation. Howmet Aerospace is transforming the next phase of more fuel-efficient, quieter aerospace engines and sustainable ground transportation. For more information, visit