Strategic Sourcing Manager (Engineered Components)

Responsibilities

• Strategy Development: Define and execute long-range sourcing strategies for engineered categories like castings, forgings, and precision machined parts
• Supplier Management: Source, evaluate, and onboard suppliers based on technical capability, total cost of ownership, operational excellence and risk.
• Cost Optimization: Use "should-cost" modeling and benchmarking to identify savings and lead "make-vs-buy" analyses.
• Contract Negotiation: Lead the drafting and execution of Long-Term Agreements (LTAs) and master service agreements with key strategic partners.
• Risk Mitigation: Monitor market trends and material cost drivers to minimize supply chain disruptions.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Partner with Engineering, Operations and Quality to align supplier strategy, supplier selection, and to ensure successful new supplier onboarding.
  
  

Skills

• Industry Experience: 5 years of strategic sourcing specifically within Aerospace, Defense, or Space sectors.
• Technical Fluency: Ability to interpret complex aerospace drawings, material certifications (CoC), and rigorous testing specs.
• High-Stakes Negotiation: Experience managing multi-year Long Term Agreements (LTAs) with aerospace suppliers.
• Quality First Mindset: A deep understanding of First Article Inspection (FAI) processes and Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA).
• Strategic Resilience: Ability to pivot when global supply chains shift, maintaining a steady flow of parts despite geopolitical or logistical hurdles.
  
  

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Supply Chain, Engineering and/or a related field
• Minimum of 7 years' experience in strategic sourcing in aerospace, automotive, and/or similar manufacturing environments
• 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 and employment offers are conditioned upon an applicant’s ability to lawfully obtain access to such items
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or relevant certifications (CPM, APICS, CPIM, P.E.)
• Proficiency in interpreting technical drawings and understanding manufacturing processes (e.g., foraging, casting, stamping, machining).
• Technical knowledge in engineered components (Machined components, forgings, castings, raw materials, etc.)
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills
• Advanced data analysis skills using Excel and ERP systems (SAP/Oracle) to manage spend and forecast costs.
• Experience with MRP/ERP business systems (Oracle preferred)
• Experience within an aerospace, aviation, or automotive manufacturing environment
• Strong organizational skills, ability to manage multiple large projects and interact with all organization levels
• Experience in identifying and executing an optimized supply chain, including raw material, machining, material processing, inspection and logistics
• Strong proficiency with MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook) and related computer skills
  
  

Additional Requirements:

• Must be able to work on site in California (Torrance, Fullerton, or Brea). Remote work not considered.
• Must be able to travel up to 50%, including local, domestic, and intercontinental travel
  
  

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 $100k-$150k.