Category Manager - Manufacturing Procurement

Responsible for development of category strategies, strategic sourcing initiatives, project management, and relationship management over Arconic Outside Processors / Contract Manufacturing 3rd party suppliers.

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