Buyer

Buyer

This role drives inbound material flow by developing strong partnerships with industrial accounts, demolition contractors, dealers, and other suppliers. The ideal candidate is outgoing, highly organized, self-directed, and experienced in metals recycling.

Principal Accountabilities

• Customer Relations & Retention
• Build and maintain relationships with new and existing suppliers to secure steady ferrous and non-ferrous flows.
• Oversee customer interactions and retention efforts at the facility.
• Greet customers, analyze scrap materials, and authorize pricing overrides when appropriate.
• Ensure all suppliers receive a high-quality customer experience.
• Resolve customer complaints and concerns.
• Maintain and update facility scoreboards used for customer communication.
• Conduct supplier surveys to gather feedback and improve services.
• Coordinate customer appreciation events.
• Identify new purchasing opportunities through site visits, cold calls, and industry networking.
• Negotiate pricing and contracts aligned with market conditions and profitability goals.

Commercial & Supplier Engagement

• Support Commercial Managers in meeting supplier needs, including quality inspections and payment processes.
• Work with operations staff on grading and quality of incoming materials.
• Collaborate with operations and transportation teams to ensure efficient handling and logistics.
• Exercise independent judgment when approving downgrades.
• Respond to inbound commercial calls and quote requests promptly, ensuring backup coverage when unavailable.
• Cold-call potential suppliers and maintain a tracking database of outreach results.
• Establish new supplier accounts through site visits, quoting, and transportation coordination.
• Transition large, long-term accounts to Commercial Managers once established.
• Provide accurate grading, scale tickets, and settlement information to suppliers upon request.

Marketing & Outreach

• Plan and execute marketing, outreach, and customer retention programs.
• Lead implementation of the Scrap Acceptance Policy/Agreement at the facility.

Regulatory Compliance

• Stay current on federal, state, and local regulations related to scrap metal recycling.
• Ensure applicable regulations are implemented at the facility.

Market Intelligence & Reporting

• Gather and analyze market data on pricing trends, local projects, and supply availability.
• Assist in responses to RFBs and RFPs for inbound materials.
• Produce weekly Facility Reports on buy performance versus targets.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records and supplier profiles.

General Responsibilities

• Report weekly activities and schedules to the supervisor to align with objectives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience Required

• 2 -4 years of scrap metal buyer experience in the metals recycling industry or at least 5 years in a related field, preferably in a buyer or procurement role.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage territory planning.
• Comfortable visiting job sites, machine shops, yards, and industrial facilities.
• Solid understanding of basic ferrous and non-ferrous metal categories.

Skills

• Interpersonal & Communication
• Strong people skills with the ability to build and maintain supplier relationships.
• Comfortable with both in-person and phone communication.
• Negotiation & Sales
• Proven ability to negotiate scrap material purchases.
• Experience working with steel scrap dealers to secure timely, cost-effective deliveries.