Direct Material Buyer - Planner

Work with a steel industry leader and apply your purchasing background to a long-lasting and impactful career at Gerdau. We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented professional to join our team as a Direct Material Buyer-Planner. In this role, you will be responsible for managing the procurement and planning of Direct Materials essential for our production processes. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in procurement, supply chain management, and production planning, with a focus on optimizing costs, ensuring timely material availability, and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers.  Join Gerdau and experience an empowering and open culture with the opportunity to grow and create your future.

We Offer:

• Comprehensive Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision Plans - Eligible upon 1st day of hire 
• Health & Dependent Care (Flexible Spending Account) 
• 100% Matching 401K up to 6% 
• Annual Bonus
• Life/Accidental Life Insurance 
• Short- Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Parental Leave
• Health Advocate Services 
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Tuition Reimbursement Program 
• Career Path System and Training 

Qualifications You Will Need:

• A bachelor's degree in business administration, Engineering, Economics or related field.
• A professional certification in procurement or supply chain management preferred. 
• 6 - 8 years of direct experience generating and implementing contracts, as well as, managing purchase orders, documenting negotiations, communications and accounting, taxes, and legal implications is required.
• Extensive knowledge of the steelmaking industry, manufacturing, industrial relations, logistics, procurement procedures.
• Extensive knowledge of Quality Management Methodologies. 
• Possess strong skills in negotiations, communications, math, analysis and problem-solving. 
• Self-starter, able to function independently and as a member of a cross-functional team. 
• High ethical standards, leadership and a strong work ethic are also key attributes. 
• Abiliy to travel to complete job duties and maintain effective relationships with vendors, mill personnel, and industry organizations; approximately 10-20%.

Your Responsibilities:

You will be responsible for timely and cost-effective procurement of goods to support production plans throughout a procurement region, per designated commodities/categories.  These activities include, but are not limited to the negotiations, maintenance, and execution of national, regional and/or local supplier agreements, as well as, facilitating team-based supplier selection and overall contract management. You will participate with applicable central commodity teams to develop effective procurement strategies to minimize total costs of category acquisitions then execute approved plans. You will act as a commodity/category lead by means of leading projects and serving as a coach to Buyers and associated employees.

You will analyze demand forecasts and production schedules to determine optimal inventory levels of Direct Materials and work closely with production teams to understand material requirements and adjust procurement plans accordingly. You will participate in the development of tactical plans for procurement, establishing and maintaining effective relations with the supplier base, and the active execution and implementation of national, regional and local supply contracts.

Your Work:

• Maintain current and thorough knowledge of appropriate local markets and competitive practices as well as procurement systems, company information systems and other business applications.

• Conduct scheduling analysis to determine supply/demand conditions for the needs of the mills supplied.  Adjusts quantities and expedites delivery schedules for purchases in accordance with monthly buying plans.

• Act as a liaison with the supplier community in order to establish and maintain market relationships.

• Monitor and maintain continuity of supply and on time delivery as well as physical, safety-related, and environmental aspects of materials purchased. Settle procurement discrepancies within management guidelines to maintain standards and ongoing supply chain activities.

• Collaborate with the procurement team to develop purchasing processes and to determine the best available costs, quality, reliability, continuity and delivery relative to the total cost of ownership. 

• Execute purchase contracts in accordance with company policy and guidelines, verify purchase order details, and assure vendor performance. Review and assess vendor capabilities and past performance.

• Gather data, then report activities and regional results to central management, regional management, plant management, and internal customers to help control costs and identify savings opportunities.  Occasional presentations will be made to management teams.

• Contribute to the reduction of inventory throughout the region by working with suppliers to monitor, regulate, and liquidate materials. Take corrective actions, when necessary, to support changing conditions in mill demand, supply chain dynamics, etc. Periodic evaluations of Inventory Min/Max levels. 

• Assist in the development and achievement of process goals, Annual Action Plans, and the administration of established policies, procedures, and processes.

• Serve as a project lead on assignments across the Mills within designated commodity/category.

• Coordinates with the Central Procurement Team to manage the supply of production materials and working capital to optimize inventories while researching alternative sources of supply.

• Monitor the actual vs. planned usage of all production materials assigned to meet inventory targets and maintain consistent supply. 

• Manage supply agreements between Central and Region keeping the agreements updated as to pricing, demand, balance and monitor Gerdau and Supplier performance to said agreements in order to ensure the continuity of supply and the commercial relationship.

• Train and communicate specifications, commercial terms and conditions, and safety & environmental compliance requirements to shippers and plant personnel.

• Facilitate sessions to communicate procurement improvement methodologies, tools, policies, practices, and processes to regional procurement teams.

• Support the Regional Procurement Manager with daily executions of procurement activities, including but not limited to: guiding and coaching team members in the areas of purchase order execution, expediting, supplier development, and non-conformance treatment.

• Implement the standardization and continual improvement of the procurement process and the attainment of other identified procurement Key Performance Indicators within the Gerdau Business Systems guidelines.

Gerdau believes in equal employment opportunity related to all employees and applicants for employment. It is the policy of Gerdau that there will be no discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status. 

If you are vision-impaired or have some other disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act / Accessible Canada Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to applying for employment at Gerdau, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team at (866)-788-2798 or recruiting@gerdau.com