Senior Buyer – Steel Products

Summary: The Senior Buyer – Steel Products will be responsible for sourcing and purchasing steel products to meet the company’s operational needs. This role requires a thorough understanding of the steel industry, including market trends, supplier management, contract negotiation, and logistics coordination. The candidate will be responsible for maintaining relationships with suppliers, optimizing purchasing strategies, and ensuring high-quality steel products for production. The candidate will also work closely and coordinate with resources from within the organization including Engineering, Operations and Commercial team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Include the following:

Sourcing & Procurement:

- Identify and engage with reliable suppliers of steel products.

- Develop and maintain a portfolio of suppliers and ensure a steady and competitive supply

chain.

- Negotiate prices, payment terms, and contract conditions with suppliers.

- Monitor market trends, including price fluctuations and demand/supply shifts, to make

informed purchasing decisions.

- Initiate live market RFQ for raw material quotes and determine current pricing while

accounting for steel market price trends.

- Plan material procurement to optimize stock levels, reduce holding costs, and prevent

stockouts, while ensuring product quality and availability

- Manage supplier performance, including supplier scorecard process, address areas of

concern.

- Assist with new vendor qualification process.

Supplier Relationship Management:

- Build strong relationships with key steel distributors/service centers and suppliers of tooling.

- Routinely follow-up with suppliers to assure they are on track to deliver product in

accordance with schedule.

- Regularly review supplier performance to ensure consistent quality, delivery, and pricing.

- Establish long-term agreements with preferred suppliers for better cost savings and

continuity.

Market Analysis & Reporting:

- Stay up to date with industry trends, global economic conditions, and trade regulations that impact the steel market.

- Prepare regular market analysis reports to inform senior management of purchasing strategies.

- Use data to forecast steel prices and demand and adjust buying strategies accordingly.

Compliance & Risk Management:

- Ensure all transactions comply with company policies, ethical standards, and applicable

regulations.

- Mitigate risks related to price volatility, supply chain disruptions, and financial exposures

through strategies or other mechanisms.

Financial & Budgetary Oversight:

- Manage purchasing budgets, ensuring optimal use of resources while meeting company

profitability goals.

- Work with finance teams to ensure timely payment and contract closure with suppliers.

- Evaluate and optimize cost efficiency of purchases to enhance margins.

Interdepartmental Support:

- Determine raw material pricing to be used for sales quotes for new and existing customers.

- Provide timely steel market updates to ensure team members understand current

market dynamics and trends; assist with messaging to customer.

- Provide quarterly material cost updates for customer specific programs.

- Collaborate with quality control team members to establish and maintain high-quality

standards for steel products and suppliers throughout the supply chain.

- Work closely with cross-functional teams, including production, sales, quality, and finance, to ensure alignment and collaboration across departments

- Other duties as may be assigned

Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

- The position is based at our Youngstown, Ohio headquarters

- Knowledge of the global steel market required – specifically hot rolled, galvanized and

stainless steel with a sheet metal coil focus.

- In-depth knowledge of steel procurement processes and understanding of key price drivers.

- Excellent negotiation and communication skills for managing supplier and client

relationships.

- Proven experience in supply chain management

- Knowledge and experience in MRP and ERP systems inventory control, materials

requirements planning, demand planning, purchase orders and supply chain planning

- Strong analytical ability to assess market data, forecast trends, and manage risk.

- Ability to work well with others within a team environment

- Leadership skills and the ability to drive change within a dynamic organization- Collaborative skills in resolving issues

- Familiarity with the roll forming process a plus, as well as other manufacturing processes

- Travel as required

Education and/or Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in purchasing, business, metallurgy, or a related field. Master's degree is a plus, a minimum of 7-10 years’ procurement/materials management experience in a manufacturing environment for steel related industry.