Regional Material Group Manager -Steel

Role Summary

This is an onsite position based at our Main Office location in Gastonia, NC. 

The Regional Material Group Manager – Steel has North America (U.S., Mexico, and Canada) responsibility for all purchasing activities, projects, supplier quality, and processes within the material group (MG) for Steel purchasing. This position will have responsibility over both Life Sciences & Environmental, and Transportation business units. The Regional MGM – Steel is responsible for managing the execution of all relevant strategic and tactical steel purchasing tasks within the material group for North America. 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Define and execute Material Group (MG) and Supplier strategies for Steel purchasing. Manage Steel supplier strategy & panel, supplier development, and quality in cooperation with Quality, Plants, and Business Units

• Lead North American strategic planning, forecasting, and reporting of Material Group Steel purchasing, especially material price and technical savings projects development

• Responsible for the achievement of material price development within the Steel commodity

• Assure the necessary cross-functional collaboration with other functions (e.g., R&D) for product innovations, future needs of the relevant material group, and advanced sourcing activities

• Drive key sourcing decisions in close collaboration with Commodity Buyers and participation in the Sourcing Board

• Provide commodity, technology, and supplier market know-how for the organization

• Identify and approve new suppliers, manage supplier relations, and oversee supplier-related initiatives

• Responsible for supplier risk management and recommendation for high-level supplier escalation issues

• Cooperate with other purchasing functions and internal stakeholders to ensure delivery of service and alignment with strategy

• Foster standardization of materials, material processes, and data processes for Steel within the Material Group

• Responsible for regional pricing and contracts with suppliers in the respective material group

• Negotiate and approve key supplier objectives, contract terms & conditions, pricing, and other commercial topics (e.g., payment terms, Incoterms)

• Initiate and implement technical savings projects in cooperation with Commodity Buyers and sites; support regional cross-functional savings projects

• Pricing/Terms Negotiation 
• Order Processing 
• Contract Administration 
• Supplier Performance Management 

REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or a related field
• Minimum 4 years’ relevant purchasing experience within a global manufacturing or industrial environment

Required Skills:

• Advanced negotiation skills
• Excellent English verbal, written, and presentation communication skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team
• Flexibility to travel up to 25% (domestic/international)

Preferred Skills:

• Experience using SAP / SAP BW
• Raw Materials purchasing experience
• Purchasing experience within the automotive industry
• Material Group-specific technical knowledge related to the purchasing of Steel (highly desired)

@LI - Onsite