NAFTA Steel Purchasing Manager

Summary / Objective

The Manager of Steel Procurement is responsible for seamlessly integrating our procurement activities across all departments.

This role plays a critical part in developing a comprehensive steel purchasing strategy to better leverage our global suppliers of electrical steel.

Additionally, the Manager will spearhead special projects aimed at enhancing efficiencies and effectiveness in demand / supply forecasting, inventory management, and general purchasing processes.

Essential Functions

• Primarily responsible for managing the relationships with steel suppliers for North America
• Responsible for the North America steel supply plan
• Ensure that steel is delivered in a timely fashion to meet the supply plan and expediting when necessary
• Responsible for negotiating steel prices
• Works with Operations and Quality to ensure our claims process is thorough, quick, and efficient
• Works with all purchasing resources to develop and implement a supplier scorecard process so suppliers are aware of their performance and have objective feedback to continually improve their overall performance around quality, delivery, and service
• Monitors market conditions to ensure purchasing strategy is well positioned to take advantage of market opportunities
• Ensures the execution of mill orders comply with overall supply strategy and optimize the inventory availability while minimizing the impact on working capital
• Develops goals, objectives, strategies, and metrics that support corporate initiatives and ensure they are monitored and reported to the Senior Leadership Team at regular intervals
• Identifies opportunities to reduce administrative burdens and streamline work practices with a focus on reducing the tactical work so more focus can be placed on strategic activities
• Works closely with Quality and Technical resources to find improvements in our qualification process and manage supplier activities to ensure a comprehensive and well communicated trial process without a trail of inventory
• Continually improves the process for converting customer requirements into a demand statement that translates easily into a cohesive purchase plan for raw materials
• Develops the 'on-boarding' process for new suppliers added to Oracle to ensure all pertinent information, which is required by all departments, is captured
• Acts as the conduit for clear communications around S&OP, MPA, Inventory, and other key business activities

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree (Engineering preferred)
• 5+ years' work experience
• Working knowledge of steel mills and mill capabilities
• Experience in the development of a strategic supply plan

Preferred Qualifications :

• Working knowledge of electrical steel properties and characteristics
• Experience with foreign steel mills
• Experience with Oracle

Competencies

• Strategic thinker
• Strong analytical skills
• Good problem-solving skills
• Self-starter with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Self-directed and willing to accept responsibility for results
• Able to work proactively with others in the search for improvement
• Demonstrates the willingness and competence to work in multiple functional areas
• Demonstrates a clear understanding of policies and procedures of operation; complies with and applies
• policies and procedures appropriately
• Keeps current with and effectively applies new work methods, skills, and technologies to complete work
• Plans, prioritizes, and organizes work effectively to produce measurable results
• Assesses situations accurately and determines appropriate action
• Identifies and utilizes resources effectively and responsibly
• Takes ownership for own self-development

Work Environment

Expected to travel to the North America divisions once a quarter (Toronto, Chicago, and Monterrey). Expected to visit suppliers which includes travel to Asia (including China) and Europe.