Diligence Advisor (Critical Minerals Sourcing & Procurement)

VDS Consulting Group; New York (NY); On-site; USD 137,760 - 206,640; Part time

Job summary

VDS Consulting Group is searching for a Subject Matter Expert to engage in a short-term advisory project focused on critical minerals sourcing for high-performance metals. This role requires hands-on experience in procurement and a deep understanding of supplier dynamics in the metals industry.

You will assess supplier relationships and provide insights into market structures, with a focus on maintaining confidentiality. Ideal candidates will have a background in companies like Acerinox or ATI, with direct knowledge of materials such as nickel and tungsten.

Qualifications

• Lead procurement experience in critical minerals for high-performance metals.
• Experience with companies in specialty metal production.
• Direct knowledge of materials like nickel and cobalt alloys.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert perspective on prime materials sourcing market structure.
• Participate in expert calls and Q&A with diligence team.
• Assess supplier relationship dynamics and market trends.

Skills

Supplier markets understanding

Expertise in sourcing critical minerals

Strong communication skills

Knowledge of pricing/commoditization dynamics

Job description

Value Driven Solutions is engaging seasoned industry experts to support a confidential client through a focused commercial diligence project in the high-performance metals supply chain. We are seeking a Subject Matter Expert with deep, hands-on experience in the prime materials sourcing and procurement of critical minerals used in specialty alloy and high-performance metals production. This is a short-duration advisory engagement requiring discretion and the ability to translate operating experience into clear market perspective.

What You'll Do

• Provide expert perspective on how the prime materials sourcing market is structured and how commoditized it is across critical mineral inputs.
• Speak to typical supplier-base dynamics — how many suppliers OEM/producer customers commonly work with, and how that has evolved.
• Assess the "stickiness" of supplier relationships, including switching costs, qualification barriers, and contract structures.
• Identify the factors that differentiate one supplier from another (quality, traceability, logistics, scale, certifications, etc.).
• Participate in structured expert calls and/or written Q&A with the diligence team.

Background We're Seeking

• A lead procurement, sourcing, or supply chain role responsible for critical minerals feeding high-performance / specialty metals production.
• Experience at a specialty metal / superalloy producer or a downstream OEM. Ideal backgrounds include companies such as Acerinox, Aperam, ATI, Doncasters, Ellwood, Howmet, PCC (Precision Castparts), or SeAH Steel, or comparable organizations.
• Direct working knowledge of the sourcing of materials such as nickel, nickel-cobalt alloys, titanium, cobalt, molybdenum, and tungsten.
• Strong command of supplier markets, pricing/commoditization dynamics, and customer switching behavior.
• Ability to engage candidly and professionally under a confidentiality agreement.

Engagement Details

• Short-term, project-based advisory work.
• Confidential — a non-disclosure agreement is required prior to engagement.
• Conducted via scheduled calls and/or written input around your availability.