Senior Steel Buyer
Strategic Buyer Metals (Steel & Aluminium) - Europe
Automotive Industry | Europe (m/f/d)
Shape the Future of Metals Sourcing in the European Automotive Sector
An established automotive organisation is looking to strengthen its European procurement capability by appointing a Strategic Buyer Metals with a strong background in flat steel and flat rolled aluminium.
This is a high-impact role where you will lead strategic sourcing initiatives across Europe, drive cost competitiveness, ensure supply security, and develop long-term partnerships across mills, service centres, and downstream processors.
Your Mission
You will take end-to-end responsibility for the strategic sourcing of flat steel and aluminium in Europe, translating market intelligence into robust sourcing strategies that protect supply, optimise cost, and support automotive manufacturing excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing & Contract Management
- Lead negotiations and conclude framework and spot contracts for flat steel and aluminium across Europe
- Develop and execute commodity sourcing strategies aligned with market dynamics, price volatility, and capacity developments
- Design and manage pricing and contract models, including indexation, surcharges, and hedging mechanisms
Market & Supplier Management
- Build deep market intelligence across the European steel and aluminium value chain (mills, service centres, distributors)
- Analyse supply markets and cost structures from primary production through downstream processing
- Identify, evaluate, and develop strategic supplier partnerships
- Conduct supplier evaluations, audits, and ongoing performance reviews
Supply Chain Risk Management
- Identify and assess supply chain risks (geopolitical, regulatory, capacity, sustainability)
- Develop and implement mitigation strategies such as dual sourcing, safety stock, and near-shoring concepts
- Monitor critical markets continuously and proactively initiate corrective actions
Cross-Functional & Plant Interface
- Work closely with manufacturing and quality teams on:
- Supplier on boarding and qualification
- Supplier changes and transitions
- Quality and release processes (e.g. PPAP)
- Support escalation management for quality or delivery issues
- Ensure stable, reliable, and cost-effective material supply to European plants
Strategy & Future Readiness
- Develop and continuously refine commodity and supplier strategies for steel and aluminium
- Translate market and regulatory developments into actionable strategies (e.g. CBAM, energy costs, capacity shifts)
- Support make-or-buy decisions, regionalisation initiatives, and long-term supply chain resilience
What You Bring
Professional Experience
- Degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or a comparable discipline
- Minimum 5 years' experience in strategic procurement, with at least 3 years in flat steel purchasing within automotive or manufacturing
- Strong understanding of European steel and aluminium markets
- Proven track record in contract negotiation, commercial modelling, and pricing mechanisms
Technical & Methodological Skills
- Strong analytical, strategic, and market-driven mindset
- Solid experience in supply chain risk management
- Proficiency in SAP (MM module) and advanced MS Excel / MS Office (analysis, modelling, dashboards)
- Experience with procurement and market intelligence tools
Personal Attributes
- Confident negotiator with strong influencing capability
- Structured, independent, and results-oriented working style
- Excellent communication skills in a cross-functional and international environment
- Strong stakeholder management skills across procurement, manufacturing, and quality
Languages
- English and Polish required
- German is a plus
FAQs
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