Category Buyer

About the Role

The Category Buyer – Steel Commodities provides strategic procurement expertise across quality, cost, logistics, development, and management (QCLDM) with a specialized focus on steel commodities, specifically Ground Engaging Tools. This role partners closely with Engineering and Supplier Development to drive technical sourcing decisions, supplier performance, and long-term category strategy. You will lead category strategies for steel-based components, leveraging deep knowledge of manufacturing processes (weldments, forgings, castings, machining) and supplier capabilities to improve cost, quality, and supply continuity. This role uniquely blends procurement strategy with technical supplier development expertise, making it ideal for candidates with experience as a Supplier Development Engineer (SDE), Manufacturing Engineer, or technically versed Buyer. Success in this role requires a strong ability to influence across engineering and supplier stakeholders while delivering measurable improvements in supplier performance, cost competitiveness, and risk mitigation.

What You Will Do

• Develop and execute category strategies for steel commodities aligned to enterprise sourcing goals
• Partner with Engineering and Supplier Development to ensure technical feasibility, manufacturability, and design-for-cost outcomes
• Evaluate supplier capabilities including metallurgy, fabrication processes, casting methods, machining, and quality systems
• Drive supplier performance improvements related to quality, lead time, cost, and capacity
• Lead negotiations with steel and fabrication suppliers, balancing market dynamics (commodity shifts, tariffs, raw material pricing)
• Identify and execute opportunities for cost reduction, should-cost modeling, and value engineering
• Support new product introduction (NPI) with supplier selection, validation, and readiness
• Manage supplier risk, including capacity constraints, technical capability gaps, and supply continuity challenges
• Serve as the primary liaison between procurement, engineering, and suppliers for category-related activities
• Analyze spend data and supplier performance metrics to inform sourcing decisions

What Skills You Will Have

• Strategic Sourcing: Demonstrated ability to develop and execute category strategies, including supplier selection, market analysis, and sourcing optimization. Aligns sourcing decisions with business priorities while incorporating considerations such as material selection, manufacturability, and total cost of ownership.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Proven capability to build and manage supplier relationships, assess supplier capabilities, and drive performance improvements. Effectively resolves complex technical and commercial challenges, particularly within steel, fabrication, or casting environments.
• Contracts Management and Administration: Working knowledge of contract development, execution, and compliance, including commercial terms, risk mitigation, and supplier agreements. Supports negotiations involving commodity pricing, technical specifications, and supplier performance expectations.
• Negotiation: Ability to lead supplier negotiations related to pricing, capacity, and contractual terms, with a strong understanding of commodity-driven cost structures such as steel markets and fabrication processes.
• Data Analytics: Leverages data to evaluate spend, identify cost drivers, assess supplier performance, and support fact-based sourcing decisions and negotiations.
• Effective Communications: Communicates complex technical and business information clearly across cross-functional stakeholders, including Procurement, Engineering, and Suppliers.
• Purchasing Tasks and Activities: Applies knowledge of procurement systems, processes, and compliance requirements in sourcing materials, components, and services.
• Interpersonal Relationships: Builds strong working relationships across teams, adapts communication style to varying stakeholders, and effectively influences outcomes in both technical and commercial settings.

Top Candidates Will Also Have

• Degree or equivalent experience in Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field
• Background as a Supplier Development Engineer (SDE), Manufacturing Engineer, or Quality Engineer
• Experience in heavy manufacturing, industrial equipment, automotive, or metals-based industries
• Knowledge of steel, fabrication, castings, forging, or machining processes
• Application of should-cost modeling, cost breakdown analysis, or value engineering
• Understanding of steel market dynamics, commodity trends, and raw material cost drivers
• Exposure to NPI sourcing and supplier qualification processes
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing, APQP, PPAP, or similar quality frameworks

Additional Information

• Work Location: This role is based in Peoria, IL and requires on-site work five days a week.
• Relocation Assistance: Domestic relocation assistance is available.
• Work Authorization: Sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Travel Requirements: This position may require 5-10% travel.