Principal Analyst, Steel - North America

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.

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

Requirements

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

Benefits

• 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