Global Director, Growth and Operations Planning

About the Role

This position reports to the Vice President and General Manager of Howmet Engines IGT & Structural Castings division and is located in Cleveland, Ohio. The Global Director, Growth and Operations Planning is responsible for creating a seamless customer experience through collaboration with commercial account management, manufacturing organizations, and technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategy for maximizing scheduling, product placement, and work transfer across the division to ensure customer delivery expectations are met.
• Develop and lead implementation of a production rationalization strategy to optimize production, supplies, and transportation methods.
• Assess and manage shipping plans by plant and/or customer to drive execution to customer turn time and delivery expectations while achieving internal revenue and profit forecasts.
• Work with key stakeholders to determine growth strategy for products in this market segment.
• Support strategy preparation by ensuring thorough market analysis and accurate demand forecasting.
• Lead decision-making for new production placement in this market segment across all global locations within the Business Unit.
• Lead analysis to determine plant capabilities for future growth, working with Technology groups to identify when technology advancements and capital requests are needed.
• Ensure growth strategy alignment with key stakeholders across all Operational divisions in the Business Unit, along with Commercial, Operations, Procurement, and Quality teams at all levels.
• Analyze Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) and planning processes and drive change and improvement.
• Lead or participate in projects to improve S&OP process and MRP reliability.
• Work with other groups to advance technical capabilities and reduce the cost of manufacturing processes.
• Lead initiatives with customers to advance technical capabilities while delivering added benefits to the customer’s design.
• Contribute to the development of people in the organization through coaching and feedback.
• Maintain high ethics and values in the workplace.

Key Competencies

• Business acumen: Understand production needs, lean principles, and possess a high level of financial acumen.
• Manage complexity: Supply chain expert for both external and captive suppliers; recognize needs throughout the system and plan accordingly for shared resources or materials.
• Data and rigor: Invite multiple inputs, both qualitative and quantitative; make data-informed adjustments and communicate ramifications throughout the supply chain.
• Communication and relationships: Proactive communicator; provide accurate and timely information and build relationships by setting clear expectations.
• Proactive and assertive: Take initiative; anticipate issues based on supply and forecasts; act as a conduit between customer and production.
• Responsiveness: Adapt quickly to unforeseen circumstances; manage changes to projects and timelines to create seamless experiences.
• Talent advocate: Involve junior associates; collaborate cross-functionally to stimulate development and contribute to talent strategy.
• Continuous improvement: Examine plans to improve forecasting, estimating, and execution capabilities; implement feedback loops.
• Organization: Work with systems and governance; manage time effectively; lead with precision and urgency.
• Purpose: Communicate and inspire based on strategic reasons for action; help others understand rather than merely execute.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution is required.
• Minimum of 12 years of experience working in manufacturing; 7 years must include experience in operations planning, supply chain management, procurement, purchasing, strategy, supplier development, or raw materials management.
• Must be able to travel up to 25%.
• 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 entails access to export-controlled items; employment offers are conditioned upon an applicant's ability to lawfully obtain access to such items.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or Supply Chain highly desired.
• Aerospace experience is preferred.
• MBA from an accredited institution is preferred.
• Demonstrated Project Management skills.
• Expert-level Microsoft Office skills in Excel and PowerPoint.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Experience developing relationships with customers and suppliers.

About Us

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.

About the Team

The Howmet Engines business produces world-class aerospace engine components, including investment castings, fasteners, rings, and forgings. Our vacuum-melted superalloys, machining, performance coatings, and hot isostatic pressing for high-performance parts enable the next generation of quieter, cleaner, and more fuel-efficient aerospace engines. We supply more than 90% of structural and rotating aerospace engine components.