Category Manager - Manufacturing Procurement

Arconic has an exciting opportunity to join our team as Category Manager – Outside Processing / Contract Manufacturing within our Corporate Transportation Procurement organization. This position will report to the Sr. Director of Indirect Procurement and can be situated either at our Headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA, or at one of our Production Plant locations (Davenport, IA – Alcoa, TN – Lancaster, PA). This individual will be innovative, analytical, process driven, and team oriented with an entrepreneurial approach to problems. 

Job Summary:

This role will be responsible for development of category strategies, strategic sourcing initiatives, project management, and relationship management over Arconic Outside Processors / Contract Manufacturing 3^rd party suppliers. We will look to this individual to develop fresh, creative, and effective ideas that drive transparency, process optimization, compliance, and cost savings with the overarching target of broadening and strengthening our service level to our stakeholders and customers.

We are looking for an individual who is motivated to make a difference in an area that is ripe with opportunity. This role requires knowledge of overall supply chain, sound financial acumen, and knowledge of logistics as well as their inter-connectivity to upstream supply chains and downstream customers. Excellent communication and partnership skills are essential as the role interfaces with a broad stakeholder base including operational teams, supply chain leaders, global process owners, Quality, customers, suppliers, etc. 

In this role, you will:

Category Strategy & Execution:  Lead the development and implementation of strategic sourcing and category management initiatives for Outside Processing and Warehousing services.

Process Optimization & Standardization:  Drive continuous improvement efforts that support the Transportation Game Plan and Category Strategy, including scrap management, supplier development, and cost reduction initiatives.

Insourcing Evaluation:  Establish and maintain standardized processes to assess and build business cases for the potential insourcing of outside production services.

Market Intelligence & Communication:  Monitor market trends and insights, evaluate their impact on the business, and proactively communicate relevant developments to internal stakeholders.

Performance Management & Compliance:  Support the creation and deployment of standardized reporting tools, KPIs, and control mechanisms to ensure process compliance and performance transparency.

Stakeholder Support & Escalation Management:  Serve as a key escalation point to ensure timely, accurate, and cost-effective service delivery to internal stakeholders and external customers.

Operational Issue Resolution:  Collaborate with stakeholders and partners to address and resolve production scheduling and operational challenges related to OSP.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:  Foster effective communication and collaboration with internal departments and external partners to ensure alignment and execution of strategic initiatives.

Primary Responsibilities:

Category Management:

• Responsibility over Outside Processing for the company.
  • Responsible for the development, review, and execution of Category & Sourcing Strategies.
  • Manage Relationships with Key suppliers.
  • Provide Headwind/Tailwind forecasts based on market data/conditions.
  • Manage urgencies as they arise.
  • Work closely with Stakeholders to provide solutions or support to any issues.

Contract Management

• Collaborate with end stakeholders to define clear and comprehensive Statements of Work (SOWs) for inclusion in new and existing contracts.
• Partner with Legal and Finance teams to ensure all terms, conditions, and financial approvals comply with Arconic policy.
• Lead supplier negotiations to secure optimal cost positions.

Supplier Management

• Provide support to stakeholders in resolving quality issues, negotiating claims, and ensuring production continuity to meet customer requirements.
• Manage supplier portfolios and coordinate quote requests for processing needs.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for OSP and warehouse suppliers.
• Oversee supplier pricing across all business units, including price updates.

Cost Savings Initiatives

• Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities that deliver measurable value to the organization.
• Develop business cases for sourcing initiatives and cost reduction projects, securing stakeholder alignment and support.

Supplier Development

• Source and onboard new suppliers to strengthen cost competitiveness across Arconic’s customer markets.
• Collaborate with Quality teams to qualify new suppliers and ensure successful integration into all required systems

You have: (required)

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, Supply Chain, Logistics, Information Technology, Politics/Political Science, Policy, Finance, Accounting, Data Science/Analytics, Marketing/Communications, Economics, Mathematics, or Engineering from an accredited Institution 
• 5 years of experience in purchasing management
• 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 requires access to controlled technology, as defined in the Export Administration Regulations (15 C.F.R. §730, et seq.) and/or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Authorizations from the relevant government agency may be required to meet export control compliance requirements.

Exceptional Candidates also have: (preferred)

• MBA in Business Administration/Economics or similar preferred
• Decision-making
• Communication and negotiation skills
• Project Management
• Innovative, Strategic thinker
• Customer-oriented with business acumen
• Demonstrated flexibility in her/his ability to flex between multiple categories/suppliers
• Professional certifications Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) is preferred