Category Manager

Commodity Manager – Steel

Position Summary

The Commodity Manager – Steel is responsible for developing and executing the strategic sourcing strategy for all steel-related commodities, including carbon steel, stainless steel, alloy steel, structural steel, bar, plate, sheet, tubing, and fabricated steel components.

This role drives cost optimization, supply continuity, risk mitigation, and supplier performance across domestic and global supply bases while supporting machining, fabrication, welding, and production operations.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Category Management

• Develop and implement a multi-year steel commodity strategy aligned with company growth objectives.
• Analyze global steel markets, price indices (CRU, AMM, LME), and cost drivers to inform sourcing decisions.
• Lead competitive sourcing events (RFQs/RFPs) and supplier negotiations.
• Build total cost of ownership (TCO) models including freight, tariffs, surcharges, and scrap adjustments.

Supplier Management

• Identify, qualify, and develop mills, service centers, processors, and fabricators.
• Lead quarterly business reviews (QBRs) with strategic suppliers.
• Drive supplier performance in quality, delivery, cost, and innovation.
• Develop dual sourcing strategies to mitigate supply chain risk.

Cost & Risk Management

• Monitor steel market trends (HRC, CRC, plate, stainless, alloy).
• Develop hedging or index-based pricing agreements where applicable.
• Lead cost-reduction initiatives including should-cost analysis and value engineering.
• Manage tariff exposure, trade compliance, and regional sourcing strategies.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Operations, Engineering, and Finance to support demand forecasting and material planning.
• Support new product introductions (NPI) with early supplier engagement.
• Work with production planning to manage capacity constraints and long lead-time materials.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of procurement, strategic sourcing, or commodity management experience.
• Direct experience sourcing steel (carbon, stainless, alloy, structural, bar/plate/sheet/tube).
• Strong negotiation skills and contract management experience.
• Knowledge of steel market dynamics and pricing mechanisms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in machining, fabrication, welding, or heavy industrial manufacturing.
• Familiarity with global steel markets and import/export regulations.
• Experience with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards, etc.).
• CPSM or APICS certification preferred.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and analytical capability
• Market intelligence & cost modeling
• Supplier relationship management
• Risk assessment and mitigation
• Strong executive communication skills