Senior Procurement Specialist

About the role

Howmet Fastening Systems (HFS) in Kingston, NY is looking for a Procurement Operations Buyer to implement cost savings initiatives and process cost reduction activities. The buyer will be a member of the Kingston, NY location procurement team and support and implement Howmet procurement strategy and mission. This is a key change‑agent position accountable for results, with minimal guidance, in the assigned areas of responsibility. This position will be responsible for developing strategies, priorities and directing implementation in the assigned areas. 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 $7.4 Billion in revenue in 2024, 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.

Responsibilities

• Cost of Goods Sold Savings: Identify and implement cost reduction activities at the location using the optimized process.
• Strive to achieve maximum leveraging of Howmet’s spend; use on‑line bidding, low‑cost country sourcing and supplier collaboration to reduce costs.
• Focus cost reduction efforts on unit price as well as product design, substitution and consumption reduction based on root‑cause problem solving and process improvement.
• Develop sourcing strategies by analyzing the supply base, market conditions, and technology roadmaps.
• Lead contractual negotiations with suppliers on NDAs, Terms & Conditions and long‑term agreements.
• Identify potential suppliers, analyze capabilities, and develop a sourcing strategy and roadmap for Howmet stakeholders.
• Perform detailed analysis of supplier quote submissions based on cost breakdown data and support it with Total Cost of Ownership and should‑costs.
• Working Capital Improvements: Implement payment terms that provide Howmet with a favorable working capital position without compromising integrity; evaluate inventories of purchased material and drive inventory reduction initiatives through consignment, vendor‑managed inventories, shared inventories, process improvement and other inventory management tools.
• Procurement Process Cost Reduction: Strive for procurement process optimization and waste elimination.
• Purchasing Goods & Services to Support Operations: Ensure the location is supplied with goods and services required to maintain continuous operation as required by business conditions; weigh appropriate risk factors when making buy/supply decisions.
• Compliance: Ensure compliance with all applicable Howmet standards and local regulations for the location; provide data for procurement‑related ASAT, customer ISO and other audit protocols; be accountable for any corrective actions generated by audits affecting buying activities at that location; act as Single Point Accountability (SPA) for import compliance, including ITAR compliance.

Requirements

Education: Minimum of an Associate degree is required, preferred to be in Engineering, Business or Accounting.

Basic qualifications: Minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in a high‑volume component manufacturing environment; minimum of five (5) years of that time in strategic sourcing, supply chain logistics experience; must be legally authorized to work in the United States; verification of employment eligibility required at hire; visa sponsorship not available.

Qualifications

Preferred: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business or Accounting.