Vice President, Purchasing

Our client, is an established flat rolled service center located on the west side of Chicago, IL. In business for over 45 years, the company processes flat rolled carbon steel products such as hot rolled, hot rolled pickled and oiled, cold rolled, galvanized, galvannealed and aluminized steel through slitting, sheeting, blanking or tube roll forming. Excellent equipment is combined with reliable quality and service solutions for customers provided by dedicated employees who value teamwork, accountability and passion. Markets serviced include automotive stamping, lawn and garden, recreation, agriculture, office furniture, communications and others. The company is ISO certified and a member of the North American Steel Alliance.

The Position

Initially reporting to the Executive Vice President, the Director, Purchasing will be responsible for the advanced development and implementation of a strategic steel sourcing strategy to support the marketing and sales efforts of the organization.

Specifically, the Director, Purchasing will be responsible for the following:

• Designing, planning, maintenance and execution of the purchasing processes.
• Leading and managing the supply chain organization.
• Analyzing and reporting on inventory performance and managing suppliers, resulting in the greatest value in inventory performance.

The incumbent will support sales growth by ensuring adequate amounts of inventory are in place to support demand at competitive costs. He/She will participate as a member of the Executive Leadership Team and as such is expected to contribute strategic and tactical perspectives to the team.

Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities are inclusive of the following:

• Responsible for an organization that fulfills the supply chain management function for all flat rolled products that is in alignment with the company’s sales programs and strategies.
• Aligns overall supply strategy with organizational strategy.
• Plans and arranges all activities involved in sourcing and procurement conversion.
• With and through the sales team, decides, negotiates, buys, expedites, communicates and applies appropriate purchasing techniques by product.
• Ensures effective operation of the inventory and purchasing systems.
• Manages at the tactical level the following through the various product groups: supplier price negotiations, risk analysis of inventory purchases, supplier relationships, quality programs, budgets and personnel assignments, industry associations, stock replenishment, direct inquiries and shipments, inventory systems and tools, rebate programs, all functions relating to expediting orders, order maintenance, inventory planning, cost maintenance, presentations and assistance/communications with customers and market sources.
• Understands steel hedging and futures markets and implements futures trading/hedging when practical.
• Stays abreast of market conditions relative to the supply side and communicates throughout the organization.
• Stays abreast of market conditions on the customer side through communications with sales, marketing and customers.
• Maintains a thorough understanding of the financial performance of the company.
• Understands issues impacting all corporate functions in order to provide direction.
• Manages long term relationships while meeting short term goals.
• At the strategic level, manages the partnership with suppliers.

Qualifications

To qualify for consideration an applicant must have flat rolled steel buying experience along with the following skills. Possession of these skills is a prerequisite for employment: 

General Knowledge

· Broad product knowledge

· Supplier capabilities, strength, weaknesses, and executive contacts

· World steel markets including commodities

· Metals futures and hedging experience

· ERP system

· Policies and procedures

· Customer relations

· Inventory systems

· Risk management

· Financial reporting

Special Skills (above average skill required): Analysis and interpretation, communication (oral and written), interpersonal skills, motivation, negotiating, problem solving, handling outside contacts, interdepartmental coordination, judgment and decision making, developing group cooperation and teamwork, coping with difficulties and emergencies.

· Must be able to concentrate and maintain productivity in high pressure situations

· Strong verbal & written communication skills

· Strong problem-solving abilities

· Strong critical thinking skills

· Ability to travel extensively, including internationally if required

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, including Excel, Access, PowerPoint, etc.

Problem Solving Skills

· Supplier relationships

· Quality issues

· Personnel matters

· Continued competitiveness

· System issues that inhibit productivity

· Organizational structure issues

Accountability

· Accountable for the working capital deployed in inventory

· Purchasing department personnel expense

· Staffing and development

· Inventory stocking levels that meet the company’s demands

· Continued competitiveness

· Relationships with suppliers’ personnel both high and wide

· Supplier payment terms

· Invoice resolutions

Additional Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree (MBA considered a plus)

Multi-year (10+) metals buying experience

Value Proposition for the Candidate

The opportunity to join a growth-oriented company as a member of its senior Leadership Team. In relatively short order, the goal is to move this position to a Vice President, Purchasing Role. The successful candidate will contribute to the overall strategy development at the company as well as be given the opportunity to greatly impact the company’s financial health and position in the marketplace while building on its reputation in the industry.