Category Buyer Refractory

Location: Cleveland, OH

Cleveland-Cliffs has an immediate opportunity for a Category Buyer Refractory at our Headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio. The Category Buyer for Refractory will be the company’s subject matter expert regarding refractory materials and services. The position is responsible for managing the end-to-end procurement process, including strategy creation and implementation, supplier identification and qualification, contract negotiation, and supplier relationship management.

Summary of Responsibilities: 

• Drive cost reduction for refractory and associated services through favorable pricing, service, and improved product life.
• Collaborate with Maintenance, Engineering, and Operations to resolve issues and conduct plant trials.
• Stay up to date with technologies, market trends, and cost drivers.
• Conduct meetings with plant personel and suppliers to resolve any supply, service, or support issues, and help coordinate technical discussions.
• Track and analyze supplier performance, pricing, and quality.
• Review requisitions and determine optimal purchasing strategies.
• Initiate purchasing actions, manage blanket orders, and maintain purchasing records.
• Ensure billing accuracy and resolve emergency procurement needs.
• Negotiate, implement, and manage supplier agreements.
• Follow departmental procedures and support workflow improvements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Management, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science Engineering, or a related field; Equivalent professional background will also be considered.
• At least five years of experience in refractory procurement, refractory sales, or melt shop maintenance, operations, or reliability engineering.  
• Technical understanding of refractory.
• Demonstrated analytical aptitude, strong communication and negotiation skills (verbal and written), and attention to detail. 
• Self-motivated, highly organized, and able to handle multiple projects at the same time. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. 
• Occasional domestic travel (10-20%). 
  
  

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Steel mill or heavy industrial manufacturing experience.  
• Mid-to-high level purchasing and procurement experience.  
• Demonstrated proficiency using Oracle, Ellipse and/or Tabware Purchasing/Sourcing systems.  
  
  

 

Relocation assistance may be considered for highly qualified candidates from outside the local area.

The salary range for this role is $70,000 to $90,000.  An employee’s pay within the salary range will be based on numerous factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographic location and business or organizational needs. 

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is the largest flat-rolled steel company and the largest iron ore pellet producer in North America. The Company is vertically integrated from mined raw materials, direct reduced iron, and ferrous scrap to primary steelmaking and downstream finishing, stamping, tooling, and tubing. We offer an excellent total compensation package including competitive pay with variable compensation opportunity, health insurance, retirement, paid time off, and more. 

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to careers@clevelandcliffs.com or call 1(312) 899-3097 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Do not email your application materials to this email address. Application materials sent to this email address will not be considered.Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is an equal opportunity employer - M/F/Veteran/Disability. We are a drug-free workplace and conduct pre-employment screening as a condition of employment.