Account Manager (Steel Purchasing)

Socket.dev; South Bend (IN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev in South Bend, IN is seeking a detail‑oriented Purchasing/Logistics Specialist to manage supplier relations and steel inventory. You will coordinate order processing, expediting, and delivery, ensuring accuracy of ASTM/SAE specs and optimal pricing.

You will serve as liaison between suppliers and internal SW teams, monitor on‑time delivery (OTD), analyze performance data, and help drive continuous improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration or related field.
• Experience in steel industry and supply chain preferred.
• Strong negotiation, organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a team and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of EDI standards preferred.

Responsibilities

• Handle ALL order related functions for assigned mills: PO conversion, pricing, status updates, expediting, changes, and cancellations.
• Coordinate with SW Traffic to arrange loads and communicate for pickups.
• Negotiate pricing on referral items and manage non-EDI data entry.
• Coordinate with Mill Technical reps on steel defect claims and follow-ups.
• Diagnose supplier trends and collect/analyze order management data (OTD, delays, heat lots, quality data).
• Support corporate purchasing functions and provide coverage when buyers are unavailable.

Skills

Negotiation

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Networking

Interpersonal skills

Adaptability

Microsoft Office

Teamwork

Deadline management

EDI standards

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Description

Job Summary:

o Assure the delivery of the appropriate product, at the appropriate time.

o Provide exceptional customer support to suppliers and internal SW departments.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary from time to time.

Steel Warehouse South Bend:

o Liaison between specifically assigned suppliers and SW.

• Independently handles ALL order related functions for specifically assigned mills:

• Purchase order conversion
• Mill acknowledgement and verification of correct ASTM/SAE, pricing, tons, delivery.
• Order status updating
• Expediting, order changes, cancellations
• Communicating with SW Traffic to get collect loads picked up from suppliers
• Ability to negotiate pricing on referral items, buybacks, etc.
• Entry of any non-EDI test report data
• Handle any assigned pre-entry and releasing of any non EDI shipment or vessels
• Responsible for coordinating with Mill Technical representatives on steel defect claims and managing follow up activities through final disposition

Steel Warehouse Corporate Purchasing:

Overall program responsibility between specifically assigned suppliers and SW.

Invoice approval for all non-EDI invoices, and EDI invoices that appear on the exception repor

Diagnosing supplier trends

On a self-directed basis and schedule, will proactively collect, analyze, and summarize specific order management data, such as OTD, late tons, habitual delays with specific items, heat lots, quality data, etc.

Work with management to help develop insights and efficiencies to improve supplier performance.

Certified and conduct ISO internal auditing when needed.

Work direct with purchasing management to improve purchasing functions.

Identify areas of inefficiency and recommend solutions to improve process (continuous improvement).

Provide coverage for buyers when they are unavailable

Requirements

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university with coursework in business administration or related field required.

2. Previous experience within the steel industry and supply chain management preferred.

3. Good negotiation skills required.

4. Organizational, prioritization and planning skills required.

5. Good written and oral communication skills required.

6. Strong networking skills required.

7. Good interpersonal skills including the ability to establish credibility and respect required.

8. Ability to adapt to changing situations required.

9. Ability to operate various software such as Microsoft Office Suite required.

10. Ability to work effectively in a team environment including possession of empathy and the ability to ensure communication flow within the supply chain required.

11. Ability to work with frequent, established deadlines required.

12. Knowledge of EDI standards preferred.