Raw Material Procurement Specialist

Raw Material Procurement Specialist

The Raw Material Procurement Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day sourcing and procurement of raw materials required for the Bridgeville AOD melt shop and the North Jackson VIM melt shop. This role requires a strong understanding of the raw materials market, solid negotiation skills, and close collaboration with technical, operational, and planning teams to ensure a reliable supply of high-quality materials aligned with production schedules and cost targets. The Specialist also serves as the primary backup to the Capex Strategic Sourcing Procurement Specialist for Capex sourcing activities, and as backup to the Manager, Strategic Sourcing – Raw Materials & Capex for refractories and key consumables — providing continuity of coverage and cross-training depth across the team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Procurement Execution: Source and procure raw materials for the Bridgeville and North Jackson melt shops, balancing quality, cost, lead time, and operational needs.
• Supplier Management: Develop and maintain relationships with raw material suppliers. Negotiate favorable terms, manage contracts, and monitor supplier performance to ensure reliable supply of critical inputs.
• Material Requirement Planning: Collaborate with supply chain planning and operations to forecast material requirements, manage inventory levels, and synchronize purchases with production schedules and customer demand.
• Charge Cost & Quality Support: Partner with technical and operational teams to optimize raw material charge makeup, supporting cost efficiency and quality objectives.
• Cost Efficiency: Conduct cost-benefit analysis on raw material purchases and apply strategic sourcing principles to drive measurable bottom-line savings.
• Capex Procurement Backup: Serve as the primary backup to the Capex Strategic Sourcing Procurement Specialist. Step in on RFQs, vendor selection, expediting, and contract administration during absences, peak workloads, or when directed. Maintain working familiarity with active Capex projects to enable seamless coverage.
• Refractories & Consumables Backup: Serve as backup to the Manager for procurement of refractories and key consumables. Maintain awareness of active supplier agreements, usage patterns, and upcoming needs so coverage can be provided without disruption.
• Documentation & Compliance: Ensure purchasing activities are well documented and comply with company policies and industry regulations. Maintain accurate records of purchases, receipts, invoices, and supplier contracts.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with Engineering, Operations, Metallurgical, Quality, and Finance teams to support projects, resolve supply issues, and identify improvement opportunities from a procurement standpoint.
• Miscellaneous Items: Perform any other purchasing-related duties as may be required on an as-requested basis by the Manager, Strategic Sourcing – Raw Materials & Capex.

Skills & Qualifications:

• 5+ years of raw material experience in the raw materials metals industry
• Strong negotiation and strategic sourcing skills.
• High degree of knowledge of the raw materials market, particularly for steel production; familiarity with refractories and Capex procurement a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel for data analysis and reporting.
• Exceptional communication skills to effectively collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders across Engineering, Operations, Metallurgy, and Finance.
• Team player with a proactive approach to problem-solving and the flexibility to cover Capex, refractories, and consumables procurement as needed.
• Preferred bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or related field.
• Preferred certifications such as CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management) or equivalent.

Working Conditions:

• Occasional travel to suppliers, plant sites, and industry conferences to maintain hands-on understanding of the market and strong supplier relationships.
• Office-based with regular hours and occasional in-plant meetings to review raw material and operational needs.
• Occasional schedule adjustments based on operational needs or urgent purchasing requirements.