What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal Analyst, Steel - North America position at CRU?
About CRU
CRU is a global leader in commodities market intelligence. We help the world's most important industrial companies, financial institutions, and governments make better decisions through rigorous data, analysis, and insight. Our teams combine deep market expertise with a genuine commitment to quality – and to each other.
About the role:
CRU is seeking an experienced Principal Analyst to join our Steel team in North America. This is a senior, high-profile role for someone with deep steel market expertise who is ready to shape market views, lead customer engagement, and represent CRU as a trusted voice across the industry. The successful candidate will combine strong analytical rigor with commercial awareness, clear communication, and the confidence to influence senior stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities:
- Serve as CRU’s leading public-facing expert on the North American steel market
- Build CRU’s market profile through customer engagement, media presence, and active participation in industry forums
- Represent CRU at major conferences, associations, and senior-level events across North America and internationally
- Develop distinctive, well-evidenced views on steel markets, identifying key trends, turning points, and structural shifts
- Contribute to CRU’s wider commodity market narrative, ensuring North American perspectives are strongly represented
- Build and maintain the data, models, and methodologies supporting CRU’s North American steel coverage
- Conduct primary and secondary research, including direct engagement with producers, consumers, traders, and policymakers
- Translate complex market dynamics into clear, compelling written analysis and presentations
- Lead customer meetings, presentations, and webinars for senior decision-makers across the steel value chain
- Build strong relationships with key stakeholders in the North American market and beyond
- Collaborate closely with sales, marketing, and account management teams to support retention, growth, and market positioning
- Coach and mentor more junior analysts, sharing expertise and promoting analytical excellence
Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree, ideally in a numerate or technical discipline
- Additional qualifications in economics, engineering, materials science, or a related field are an advantage
Skills & Experience:
- Significant experience, typically 10 years, in steel market research, analysis, or a directly related industry role
- A strong track record of producing insight that has informed real-world decisions in research, advisory, trading, or industry settings
- Direct experience in steel or adjacent metals is a strong advantage
- An established network and profile within the North American steel community is highly desirable
- Highly numerate, with the ability to work with large datasets and translate quantitative analysis into clear conclusions
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with confidence engaging senior external audiences
- Sharp analytical instincts and the ability to identify what matters, cut through noise, and form well-supported views
- Collaborative approach, with the ability to work effectively across a diverse, international team
- Strong relationship-building and networking skills
- Commercial awareness and an understanding of customer needs and value delivery
- Intellectual curiosity, professional credibility, and a commitment to high analytical standards
- Experience mentoring colleagues and supporting team development is preferred
Why Join CRU?
At CRU, you will be part of a team of experts who are passionate about commodities intelligence and committed to rigorous, thoughtful analysis. You will have the opportunity to develop your profile in the market, contribute to important industry conversations and help shape understanding of the North American steel landscape. For the right person, this is a rare opportunity to become a recognized voice in the market.
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary and flexible benefits package.
- Opportunities for professional growth and development as part of a global company.
- A collaborative and supportive work environment.
- The chance to work with industry-leading experts and over a diverse range of topics and projects.