CAPEX Procurement Lead

Role Summary:
Responsible for leading capital expenditure (CAPEX) procurement activities for the Mesabi Integrated Steel Plant (ISP) Project, including sourcing strategy, vendor development, contract negotiation, and procurement execution for major capital equipment, engineering packages, and construction services. The role ensures cost-effective, timely, and quality procurement of capital goods and services in alignment with project schedules and budgets.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end CAPEX procurement activities for the Mesabi ISP Project, including strategic sourcing, vendor identification, bid evaluation, negotiation, and contract award.
• Develop and implement procurement strategies for major capital equipment packages including mineral processing, steelmaking, rolling mill, utilities, and material handling systems.
• Coordinate with EPC contractors, engineering teams, and project management to align procurement schedules with overall project timelines.
• Manage vendor pre-qualification, technical and commercial bid evaluations, and contract negotiations for capital projects.
• Establish and maintain relationships with major equipment suppliers, EPC contractors, and service providers in the steel manufacturing industry.
• Drive cost optimization initiatives through competitive bidding, value engineering, and strategic sourcing practices.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, ethical sourcing practices, and applicable import/export and trade regulations.
• Monitor supplier performance, delivery schedules, and quality compliance throughout the procurement lifecycle.
• Collaborate with finance, legal, and project teams on contract terms, payment structures, and risk mitigation.
• Prepare procurement budgets, cost estimates, and spend analysis reports for project leadership.
• Lead a team of procurement professionals, providing guidance on sourcing strategy and contract management.
• Support project risk management by identifying and mitigating supply chain and procurement-related risks.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• 20-25 years of experience in capital project procurement within major steel manufacturing organizations.
• Extensive experience managing large-scale CAPEX procurement for greenfield or brownfield steel plant projects.
• Strong knowledge of procurement processes for major equipment categories including mineral processing, steelmaking, and rolling mill technologies.
• Proven track record of vendor negotiation, contract management, and cost optimization on large capital projects.
• Strong understanding of EPC project execution, international sourcing, and supply chain management.
• Excellent negotiation, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.

Working Conditions

• Dedicated full-time to the Mesabi ISP Project; based in the United States.
• Extensive travel to vendor facilities, project sites, and engineering offices as required.

Preferred Experience

• Prior experience in procurement for integrated steel plant projects (iron ore beneficiation, pelletization, DRI/EAF, or blast furnace-based operations).
• Experience working with global and North American equipment suppliers and EPC contractors.
• Familiarity with U.S. capital project regulations, import/export compliance, and trade policy considerations.