Plate Processing & Procurement Manager

Job Description

Job Description

About Austin Engineering

Austin Engineering is a global leader in the design, manufacture, and support of customized mining equipment and engineering solutions. With more than 50 years of industry experience, we partner with some of the world's largest mining companies and OEMs to deliver innovative products that improve safety, productivity, and performance. Our portfolio includes mine truck bodies, excavator buckets, water tanks, tire handlers, and other specialized mining equipment. Austin operates across key mining regions worldwide, combining global expertise with local manufacturing and service support. We are committed to safety, quality, innovation, and developing talented people who help drive our continued success.

Job Summary:

The Plate Processing & Procurement Manager is responsible for leading Austin Casper's plate processing, procurement, inventory management, and supply chain functions. This role develops and executes both strategic and operational plans to ensure efficient sourcing, inventory control, production support, and logistics performance. The position oversees the Production Control, Purchasing, Shipping & Receiving, and Plate Procurement teams while ensuring compliance with engineering specifications, quality standards, and company objectives related to cost, delivery, safety, and operational excellence.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Operations

• Develop and execute sourcing, procurement, inventory, and supply chain strategies that support business objectives, operational continuity, and cost-effective production.
• Lead daily operations for Production Control, Purchasing, Plate Procurement, Logistics, Shipping & Receiving, and related supply chain functions.
• Support outsourced operations and develop supply chain solutions that enhance efficiency, scalability, and customer delivery performance.
• Analyze market trends, material availability, and supplier performance to proactively manage risks, costs, and supply continuity.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement through process optimization, technology adoption, and implementation of industry best practices.

Supplier & Procurement Management

• Develop, negotiate, and maintain strategic supplier relationships to ensure competitive pricing, quality, service, and delivery performance.
• Establish and maintain procurement policies, procedures, and controls that ensure compliance with company values, delegated authority requirements, and applicable standards.
• Oversee vendor evaluation, contract administration, supplier agreements, and purchasing processes to ensure quality, compliance, and cost effectiveness.
• Ensure suppliers of critical materials and components meet Austin specifications, quality standards, and business requirements.

Inventory, Materials & Quality Management

• Manage inventory strategies, stock levels, and replenishment processes to balance operational requirements, budget objectives, and inventory exposure.
• Maintain material handling and inventory control systems, including FIFO practices, surplus material disposition, and consignment inventory management.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance to establish material acceptance criteria and maintain compliance with engineering and operational requirements.
• Work with steel mills, metallurgists, and third-party testing laboratories to evaluate materials, support product improvements, and validate new products and consumables.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Engineering, Operations, and Quality teams to improve manufacturing processes, material specifications, manufacturability, and customer lead-time performance.
• Support the successful introduction of new products and designs by ensuring timely availability and compliance of required materials.

Leadership & Safety

• Lead, develop, and coach department personnel through performance management, training, succession planning, and regular feedback.
• Foster a high-performance, collaborative culture focused on accountability, teamwork, safety, and operational excellence.
• Ensure company assets are maintained and operated in accordance with applicable safety standards and company policies.

Other duties as assigned. 

Skills:

• Computer skills to include spreadsheet, word processing, and ERP systems.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organization skills.
• Purchasing, inventory management and QA management experience in heavy industry, resources, mining and/or steel fabrication.
• Strong metallurgical knowledge of plate steels.
• Understanding and experience with material specifications and compliance to engineering standards. 
• Previous experience in supply chain and purchasing systems, QA systems, supplier relationship management.
• Experience in developing & supervising teams.

  Qualifications:

Required

• Leadership and team development experience.
• Procurement and inventory management experience.
• ERP system proficiency.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of material specifications and engineering standards.

Preferred

• Metallurgical knowledge of plate steels.
• Welding consumables procurement experience.
• QA system experience.
• Mining, steel fabrication, or heavy manufacturing background.

Education and/or Experience:  

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive leadership experience in procurement, supply chain, inventory management, manufacturing operations, or a related field.
• Experience within heavy manufacturing, mining, steel fabrication, or industrial environments preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience will be considered. 

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit at a desk and perform computer work.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to work near moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, risk of electrical shock and vibration when working in the Fabrication Shop and is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions while performing inventory.