Purchasing Manager

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Job Title: Purchasing Manager

Department: Procurement / Supply Chain

Reports To: CEO

Location: Flat Rock, MI

Salary Range: $100,000–$140,000 annually

Position Overview:

We are seeking a highly experienced Purchasing Manager with a proven background in the steel industry , specifically within a Steel Service Center environment. This role is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and procuring flat-rolled and structural steel products to meet operational demands. The ideal candidate will bring deep knowledge of steel grades, mill relationships, and market dynamics, and will play a critical role in maintaining efficient inventory levels, reducing costs, and ensuring timely, high-quality deliveries.

Steel industry and Steel Service Center experience is required.

Key Responsibilities:

Steel Sourcing & Procurement

• Source carbon, stainless, and alloy steel coil, sheet, plate, bar, and structural products.
• Leverage existing relationships with domestic and international steel mills and distributors.
• Analyze steel market conditions and indices (CRU, AMM) to drive timely and cost-effective purchasing decisions.
• Negotiate contracts and blanket agreements tailored to Steel Service Center operations.

Supplier & Mill Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong vendor relationships with a focus on mill-direct procurement.
• Evaluate and monitor supplier performance (quality, pricing, lead times).
• Identify secondary sourcing options and supply chain alternatives to mitigate risk.

Inventory & Cost Optimization

• Manage inventory levels using a JIT approach to support fast-turnaround service center operations.
• Maintain appropriate stock of high-demand grades and sizes based on forecasting and historical trends.
• Work cross-functionally with finance and operations to control purchasing costs and meet margin targets.

Internal Collaboration & Material Planning

• Align closely with sales, operations, and production teams to forecast material requirements and scheduling needs.
• Ensure all incoming steel meets technical specifications, industry standards (ASTM, AISI), and customer requirements.
• Coordinate with logistics on inbound freight and delivery schedules (rail, truck, barge).

Systems & Reporting

• Use ERP systems to manage purchasing activity, inventory tracking, and supplier performance.
• Develop reports on purchasing KPIs, price trends, and supplier scorecards.
• Stay informed of steel market pricing and availability, and communicate updates internally.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of purchasing experience in the steel industry , with at least 3 years in a Steel Service Center .
• In-depth knowledge of steel specifications, grades, and market structures.
• Strong negotiation and contract management expertise within a steel supply environment.
• Proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, or industry-specific platforms).
• Strong organizational, communication, and analytical skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience with metals distribution and service center operations.
• Familiarity with freight logistics specific to steel transport (flatbed, rail, barge).
• Understanding of ISO 9001 or similar quality assurance systems.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and Mill Test Reports (MTRs).

Working Conditions:

• Primarily office-based with frequent interaction with warehouse and production teams.
• Occasional travel to supplier sites, mills, and industry events may be required.

Crown Staffing provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.