Steel Price Negotiation Responsibilities include leading steel price negotiations with mills and steel service centers for coil and blanks, covering base price, extras (grade, gauge, width, coating, chemistry), processing cost (slitting, blanking), packaging and freight. Deliver all key steel sourcing activities: Meeting steel cost targets and material budget, Securing contract volumes and prices (annual, semi-annual or quarterly), Selecting the right buy channel – mill direct, service center, or customer resale / steel buy program, Negotiating payment terms, lead times, safety stock and consignment, Complying with Client's Sourcing Approval Process Prepare steel RFQs with full specification (grade, thickness, width, coating weight, tolerances, volumes by plant) and compare quotations on a like-for-like cost breakdown. Evaluate quotations on total landed cost, including tariffs and duties (Section 232, country of melt and pour), freight, Incoterms and inventory carrying cost. Prepare and present business cases for Pre-SPIC and SPIC reviews and negotiate long-term agreements (LTA) with steel suppliers. Scrap Price Negotiation & Scrap Management Negotiate scrap sales prices and contracts with scrap processors and mills, linked to published scrap indices (e.g. AMM / Fastmarkets No. 1 Busheling for North America, relevant regional indices for Europe).Manage scrap credit in part cost – gross weight vs. net weight, engineered scrap, offal and blank nesting yield. Work with plants on scrap segregation (by grade, coated vs. uncoated), handling, weighing and monthly settlement; audit scrap weights, pricing and invoices. Identify offal reuse and nesting opportunities with Engineering to reduce gross weight and improve scrap value. Ensure scrap credit is correctly included in supplier price adjustment mechanisms for purchased stamped parts. Market Index & Price Adjustment Mechanism Understand and manage index-based steel and scrap price mechanisms - CRU (HRC, CRC, HDG US Midwest), Platts, MEPS (Europe) and AMM / Fastmarkets scrap. Define and apply mechanism terms in supply agreements: index reference, base index and base price, reference period (monthly or quarterly average), lag, adjustment frequency, thresholds or bands, treatment of extras and scrap credit offset. Calculate monthly / quarterly steel and scrap price adjustments for purchased steel and purchased stamped parts; validate supplier claims and approve price changes. Align supplier mechanisms with customer (OEM) steel pass-through and resale programs to avoid timing gaps and margin leakage; track Client's net steel exposure. Maintain the steel and scrap index tracking file and price adjustment log; report the impact to management. Steel Supplier Management Manage steel mills, service centers and toll processors for delivery, quality, capacity, lead times, allocation and inventory. Identify and qualify new steel sources, including customer-approved mill lists, grade capability, material PPAP and mill test certificates. Monitor supplier KPIs (on-time delivery, PPM, premium freight, price compliance) and lead supplier reviews and corrective actions. Manage coil inventory, safety stock and consignment stock agreements together with plant material planning. Manage claims for non-conforming material (coil defects, dimensional and mechanical issues) and recover related costs. Build strong supplier relationships to support long-term strategic growth. Market Intelligence & Cost Reduction Monitor steel market drivers – iron ore, coking coal, scrap, zinc, energy, mill capacity, imports, tariffs and trade policy (Section 232, USMCA, CBAM).Forecast steel and scrap price trends and their impact; prepare the monthly steel market report and budget vs. actual analysis for management. Lead cost-down activities – grade and gauge optimization, blank size and nesting, coil width standardization, volume consolidation across plants, dual sourcing and mill direct vs. service center evaluation. Coordinate with Engineering on ECRs (internal and customer changes) and quantify the steel and scrap impact. Collaborate with other buyer teams and regions (SANA, SAEUR, SASA) to leverage global steel volumes. Procurement Execution Issue purchase orders and blanket orders, manage releases and resolve supply issues promptly. Maintain accurate steel prices, index data and supplier master data in ERP systems and the FULLSTEP platform. Track steel material flow between mills, service centers, processors and plants, including yield and scrap losses.
Requirements
Steel Process & Technical Knowledge:- Good understanding of the steel making and processing route: BF/BOF and EAF, continuous casting, hot rolling, pickling, cold rolling, annealing, temper rolling, hot dip galvanizing / galvannealing, slitting, cut-to-length and blanking.
- Knowledge of steel grades and specifications (e.g. ASTM A1011, A1008, A653, SAE J2340, EN standards and OEM material specifications), mechanical properties (yield, tensile, elongation) and coating weights.
- Understanding of the steel cost structure – base price, extras, processing, yield loss and freight.
- Ability to read technical drawings and to calculate gross weight, net weight and scrap for stamped parts; experience with cost breakdown (CBD) analysis.
- High proficiency in Excel for index calculations and cost modeling, and PowerPoint for management presentations.
- Ability to work in ERP systems and procurement platforms (purchase orders, supplier master data, FULLSTEP).Quality & Process Knowledge
- Basic understanding of PPAP, APQP, FMEA and Control Plans.
- Understanding of mill test certificates, material traceability and material conformity requirements.
- Ability to work with Quality teams on supplier approval and material claims.
Legal & Commercial Understanding:- Basic legal knowledge to negotiate supply agreements, GTC, special conditions, LTAs and consignment agreements.
- Strong understanding of index-based price adjustment clauses for steel and scrap and how they apply within supply agreements.
- Understanding of Incoterms, payment terms, tariffs and duties, and country of origin rules (melt and pour).Professional Attributes
- Strong negotiation and communication skills.
- Highly analytical and organized, able to manage multiple suppliers, plants and programs at the same time.
- Adaptable to changing steel market conditions and internal priorities.
- Strong relationship-building skills with suppliers and internal cross-functional teams.
- Ability to work with global teams; advanced English.
- Availability to travel domestically and internationally.
Experience:
Minimum of 3 years of purchasing experience in steel or metals, ideally in the automotive sector. Experience with index-based steel contracts (CRU, MEPS, AMM) and scrap sales is an advantage.
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Metallurgy, Materials or Mechanical preferred), Business or a related field. We offer attractive, competitive compensation and benefits including, medical, dental, 401k, short-term disability, AD&D, tuition reimbursement, and more. If you take pride in your work and are committed to personal and professional success, let's talk. Please visit www.zobility.com to learn more. Zobility is RGBSI's workforce management and staffing division. RGBSI is a multi-national corporation headquartered in Troy, MI with branches throughout the USA, Canada, Germany, and India.
