Steel Procurement Specialist

Strategic Steel Sourcing Specialist
Steel Purchasing Specialist

Own the Steel Supply Chain That Powers a Growing, Privately Held Manufacturer

Most procurement professionals manage purchase orders. Few have the opportunity to build a strategic sourcing function.

My client is a growing, privately held manufacturer of engineered industrial systems and structural steel solutions is seeking a Steel Procurement Specialist to take ownership of one of its most critical purchasing functions. This is an opportunity to lead the sourcing and procurement of steel materials supporting a fast-paced manufacturing operation while helping shape future procurement strategy, supplier partnerships, and inventory planning as the company continues to grow.

If you have a strong background in steel purchasing, steel sourcing, or the steel distribution industry and are looking for an opportunity to make a measurable business impact, this position offers the chance to become the organization's subject matter expert for steel procurement while helping build a stronger, more strategic supply chain. This role reflects the hiring manager's vision of transitioning from a team-based purchasing approach to a single owner responsible for steel procurement and future inventory strategy.

Why You Should Apply

• $95,000-$125,000 competitive base salary depending on background and experience
• Annual performance bonus opportunity
• Competitive Blue Cross Blue Shield medical insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with match
• Manage one of the company's largest purchasing categories, representing approximately 25% of total procurement spend
• Opportunity to own a high-impact procurement function
• Direct visibility with executive leadership
• Help build procurement strategy for a growing manufacturing organization
• Long-term career growth with a successful, privately held manufacturer

Position Summary

The Steel Procurement Specialist will lead the sourcing, purchasing, and supplier management of structural steel materials supporting a growing manufacturing operation. You'll negotiate supplier agreements, ensure material availability, optimize purchasing decisions, and collaborate closely with engineering and manufacturing to keep production moving efficiently.

Beyond day-to-day purchasing, you'll help shape sourcing strategy, improve inventory planning, and establish scalable procurement processes that support the company's continued growth.

What You'll Do

• Own the procurement and strategic sourcing of structural steel materials supporting manufacturing operations.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with steel mills, service centers, distributors, and supplier partners.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, delivery schedules, and commercial agreements.
• Monitor steel market conditions and identify opportunities to reduce costs while improving supply continuity.
• Partner with engineering and manufacturing to align material availability with production schedules and project requirements.
• Optimize inventory planning while balancing cost, availability, and lead times.
• Identify opportunities to standardize material selection and improve purchasing efficiency.
• Resolve supplier performance, quality, and delivery issues.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen procurement performance and supply chain reliability.

What You'll Bring

• Five or more years of steel procurement, steel purchasing, strategic sourcing, or closely related experience.
• Deep knowledge of structural steel products and the steel supply chain is essential. Candidates from steel service centers, steel distributors, or manufacturing organizations with significant structural steel purchasing experience are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Strong knowledge of structural steel products, grades, shapes, and steel supply markets.
• Experience purchasing steel within manufacturing, fabrication, heavy industrial, or construction-related industries, or experience working for a steel service center or steel distributor.
• Demonstrated success negotiating supplier agreements and building long-term supplier relationships.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams.
• ERP or MRP experience preferred as the organization continues to modernize its procurement systems.
• Bachelor's degree preferred. Equivalent experience will be considered.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

This opportunity offers far more than traditional purchasing responsibilities.

You'll assume ownership of one of the company's most strategically important purchasing categories while helping transform steel procurement into a centralized, highly effective business function. Working directly with company leadership, you'll influence supplier strategy, purchasing decisions, inventory planning, and long-term supply chain performance.

If you're looking for an opportunity where your knowledge of steel markets, supplier relationships, and strategic sourcing can have a direct and measurable impact on a growing, privately held manufacturer, this role offers the visibility, autonomy, and opportunity to do exactly that.

How To Apply

We'd love to see your resume, but we don't need it to have a conversation. Send us an email and tell us why you're interested. If you already have a resume ready, we welcome you to share it.