Description
The Metals Strategic Sourcing Specialist is responsible for securing raw materials, managing volatile supply chains, and mitigating financial risks. Because industrial metals are highly commoditized and subject to global market fluctuations, this role requires a unique blend of technical knowledge and financial acumen.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing and Procurement
• Identify, qualify, and negotiate with global and domestic steel mills, service centers, and distributors.
• Acquire flat-rolled steel sheet, coil, plate, and tube; aluminum sheet and extrusions; engineering components; fasteners and hardware.
• Formulate long-term supply agreements, blanket orders, and spot-buy contracts to ensure production continuity and cost competitiveness.
• Negotiate commercial terms, pricing structures, surcharge mechanisms, minimum order quantities, and delivery schedules.
• Participate in quarterly business reviews using supplier scorecards: on-time delivery, PPM, quote responsiveness, and cost performance.
• Analyze total cost of ownership (TCO), including freight, processing fees, tariffs, and duties.
Risk Management and Market Analysis
• Monitor indices such as the London Metal Exchange (LME) and Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) to build hedging strategies and fixed-price contracts.
• Track global market trends, raw material inputs (iron ore, zinc, scrap, nickel, scrap aluminum), energy costs, and geopolitical factors impacting tariffs (e.g. Section 232).
Technical and Quality Compliance
• Ensure all purchased materials comply with engineering standards (ASTM, AISI, ASME, SAE, ISO).
Requirements
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Metallurgy, or Mechanical Engineering.
• 7+ years of procurement experience in metal fabrication, stamping, or industrial manufacturing.
• Working knowledge of steel grades and specifications (ASTM A36, A1011, A1008, A653, A500) and steel pricing mechanisms.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and interpret GD&T, material callouts, and finish specifications.
• Documented negotiation results on multi-year agreements.
• Experience managing procurement for multiple manufacturing locations, including coordination with site-level buyers.
• ERP/MRP proficiency (Plex or similar) and advanced Excel skills (data modeling, querying, and analysis).
Preferred Qualifications
• Offshore sourcing experience, including international supplier audits and import compliance.
• Automotive or heavy equipment supply chain experience under IATF 16949.
• APICS CPIM/CSCP or ISM CPSM certification.
• Bilingual (Spanish or Mandarin).
Core Competencies
• Total cost of ownership analysis and commercial negotiation.
• Cross-functional and multi-site collaboration with local buyers, Estimating, Engineering, Quality, Operations, and site leadership.
• Supplier risk assessment and mitigation.
• Accountability for quote deadlines and production-critical deliveries.
Working Conditions
Office-based with regular shop floor presence. Travel up to 25% to company sites nationwide and to supplier facilities, domestically and internationally. Must wear required PPE in production areas.
