Ferrous & Non-Ferrous Scrap Metal Buyer

Deacero USA, Inc; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Deacero USA, Inc. is seeking a Ferrous & Non-Ferrous Scrap Metal Buyer to source, purchase, and develop reliable scrap supplies for production needs. You will manage supplier relationships across industrial accounts and regional generators, negotiate terms, and optimize total delivered cost.

The role requires strong commercial judgment, knowledge of scrap markets, and the ability to build long-term supplier partnerships with high integrity. Travel up to 50% may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, or Operations.
• 2–5 years of experience in scrap metal purchasing or related commercial environment preferred.
• Experience negotiating pricing and terms with suppliers.
• Experience purchasing ferrous and/or non-ferrous scrap preferred.

Responsibilities

• Source and purchase ferrous and non-ferrous scrap from industrial accounts and regional generators.
• Develop and maintain supplier relationships to ensure long-term supply and competitive pricing.
• Identify and qualify new suppliers and scrap generators in assigned markets.
• Maintain an active pipeline of prospective suppliers to grow volume and market share.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery requirements with suppliers.
• Execute purchases per procurement policies and market conditions.
• Monitor supplier performance and resolve issues affecting availability or relations.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier relations

Market analysis

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Inventory management

Excel proficiency

Freight knowledge

independence

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

ERP systems

Scrap management systems

Procurement software

Job description

The Ferrous & Non-Ferrous Scrap Metal Buyer is responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and developing reliable supplies of ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal to support production requirements and business objectives.

This position manages supplier relationships across industrial accounts, scrap dealers, and regional scrap generators while identifying new sources of supply and negotiating competitive commercial terms. The Buyer monitors market conditions, coordinates material flow and transportation, supports scrap quality requirements, and works closely with plant operations, transportation, finance, and procurement to maintain supply continuity and optimize total delivered cost.

Success in this role requires strong commercial judgment, knowledge of scrap markets, effective negotiation skills, and the ability to develop long-term supplier relationships while operating with a high level of integrity.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Source and purchase ferrous and non-ferrous scrap materials from industrial accounts, scrap dealers, and other qualified regional generators.
• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships to support long-term supply continuity, competitive pricing, and profitable growth.
• Identify, qualify, and develop new suppliers and scrap generators within assigned markets and territories.
• Maintain an active pipeline of prospective suppliers and pursue opportunities to increase purchased volume and market share.
• Negotiate scrap pricing, payment terms, service requirements, transportation arrangements, and other commercial conditions.
• Execute purchases in accordance with established procurement policies, pricing guidelines, material requirements, and current market conditions.
• Monitor supplier performance and address commercial or service issues that could affect material availability or business relationships.

Market Analysis & Commercial Strategy

• Monitor regional and broader scrap market conditions, including pricing trends, supply and demand, competitor activity, freight conditions, and other factors affecting purchasing decisions.
• Develop and maintain a strong network of suppliers and industry contacts to enhance market intelligence.
• Evaluate purchasing opportunities based on price, quality, freight, availability, and total delivered cost.
• Provide timely market intelligence and recommendations to Raw Materials leadership and other stakeholders.
• Identify supply risks and market opportunities and recommend appropriate purchasing actions.
• Support purchasing strategies designed to improve supply reliability, cost competitiveness, and supplier diversification.

Supply, Logistics & Inventory Coordination

• Coordinate closely with Transportation and suppliers to support timely and cost-effective movement of purchased scrap.
• Monitor purchase orders, shipment schedules, supplier commitments, and material availability.
• Expedite or adjust shipments when necessary to support production requirements.
• Evaluate transportation alternatives with the appropriate teams to help optimize total delivered scrap cost.
• Communicate anticipated supply constraints, delays, or changes that could affect plant requirements.
• Work with plant and planning teams to understand inventory levels, production schedules, scrap consumption, and changing material requirements.

Quality & Plant Support

• Serve as a key liaison between scrap suppliers, Raw Materials, Transportation, and plant personnel.
• Communicate scrap specifications and quality expectations to suppliers.
• Assist in investigating and resolving material quality, grading, weight, or specification issues.
• Inspect scrap materials at plant or supplier locations when necessary.
• Support corrective actions related to rejected, downgraded, or nonconforming material.
• Maintain awareness of production schedules and changes in scrap requirements that may affect purchasing priorities.
• Maintain accurate documentation of purchases, quotations, contracts, purchase orders, pricing adjustments, cancellations, and supplier activity.
• Ensure purchasing transactions are properly entered and maintained within applicable procurement and scrap management systems.
• Partner with Finance and Accounting to resolve discrepancies involving invoices, weights, grades, pricing, settlements, and payments.
• Maintain appropriate documentation to support internal controls, audits, and company procurement requirements.
• Ensure purchasing activities comply with company policies, ethical standards, safety requirements, and applicable environmental requirements.
• Protect confidential supplier, pricing, commercial, and operational information.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The Scrap Metal Buyer works closely with Raw Materials, Plant Operations, Production Planning, Transportation, Finance & Accounting, and Corporate Procurement.

External relationships include industrial scrap generators, scrap dealers, regional suppliers, transportation providers, carriers, and other scrap-industry partners.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Operations, or a related field preferred.
• 2–5 years of experience in scrap metal purchasing, commodities, raw materials procurement, recycling, or a related commercial environment preferred.
• Experience purchasing ferrous and/or non-ferrous scrap strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating pricing and commercial terms.
• Experience developing supplier accounts or new sources of supply preferred.Experience working in industrial, manufacturing, metals, recycling, or commodity-based environments preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of ferrous and/or non-ferrous scrap grades, specifications, pricing, and sources of supply.
• Strong negotiation and commercial decision-making skills.
• Ability to understand market movements and translate market information into purchasing decisions.
• Strong supplier relationship development and account-management skills.
• Understanding of freight and transportation considerations affecting total material cost.
• Strong mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to balance price, quality, freight, inventory, and supply requirements when making purchasing decisions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage a territory, and prioritize multiple purchasing requirements.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Teams, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to learn and effectively utilize procurement, ERP, and scrap management systems.
• High level of integrity and sound business judgment.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to supplier, plant, and industry locations.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 50%, depending on business needs.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.