Procurement Manager

Mesabi Metallics Company LLC • Nashwauk, MN

4d • $129,000 - $154,000

About The Position

The Procurement Manager leads Mesabi Metallics’ procurement team and serves as the principal commercial partner to the General Managers and Department Heads. While those leaders retain ownership of their budgets and spending decisions, the Procurement Manager ensures that significant purchases are supported by competitive pricing, sound commercial terms, and clear recommendations.

The role will build the procurement function from its pre-operational foundation into a disciplined, well-governed operation supporting construction, commissioning, and steady-state mining, concentrating, and pelletizing activities. It combines strategic sourcing, commercial advice, negotiations, contract and supplier management, policy and compliance oversight, procurement systems, inventory collaboration, and performance reporting.

The position is primarily office-based, with periodic site or terminal visits that may require appropriate personal protective equipment. The stated salary range is $129,000–$154,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications. The position also has a bi-weekly Winners Circle incentive tied to site production of safe, quality tonnes, measured on Safety, Quality and Tons (SQT).

Requirements

• At least 10 years of overall experience in manufacturing or heavy industry.
• At least 8 years of progressive procurement or strategic sourcing experience in an industrial, heavy-equipment, or capital-intensive environment.
• At least 3 years of experience leading and developing a team of procurement professionals.
• Proven experience negotiating complex, high-value contracts and delivering measurable savings.
• Working knowledge of contract terms, commercial risk, International Commercial Terms, and the Uniform Commercial Code.
• Hands-on experience with ERP or e-procurement systems such as SAP, Oracle, or similar.
• Strong Excel and analytical skills.
• Ability to clearly communicate total cost of ownership and trade-offs to non-procurement leaders.
• Leadership skills, including motivating a team, holding team members accountable, and delegating effectively.
• Business partnership skills, including advising General Managers without assuming ownership of their decisions and earning trust through responsiveness and sound judgment.
• Commercial acumen, including understanding cost drivers, market dynamics, and total cost of ownership.
• Negotiation skills and the ability to protect long-term supplier relationships.
• Integrity and discretion in handling confidential and competitive information, while avoiding conflicts of interest.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, including presenting recommendations confidently to senior leadership.
• A safety-focused approach to supplier and contractor selection.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in the mining, mineral processing, iron ore, or pelletizing industry.
• Familiarity with Mine Safety and Health Administration contractor requirements.
• Experience implementing procurement policies or systems, or supporting ERP system rollouts.
• Professional certification such as Certified Professional in Supply Management, Certified Purchasing Manager, or Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted commercial advisor to General Managers and provide well-supported recommendations for major purchases, including bids, total cost of ownership, commercial terms, risks, and alternatives.
• Benchmark pricing and terms against market data, historical purchases, and peer operations; identify over-budget, off-contract, or uncompetitive spend and recommend options.
• Partner with Finance on budget-to-actual reviews, forecasts, and capital expenditure requests.
• Manage competitive RFQ, RFP, and tender processes for goods, services, equipment, and capital projects.
• Lead or support negotiations covering pricing, payment terms, warranties, delivery schedules, performance guarantees, consignment arrangements, and rebates.
• Develop and execute category strategies for mining equipment and parts, process consumables, fuel and lubricants, MRO supplies, contract services, capital equipment, and leasing.
• Consolidate spend and use volume commitments, term agreements, and long-term contracts to reduce total cost.
• Track, validate, and report savings and cost avoidance.
• Draft, review, and administer purchase orders, master service agreements, supply agreements, and equipment leases with Legal and Finance.
• Ensure contracts include appropriate insurance, indemnity, safety, liability, and termination provisions; maintain a register of renewal dates, pricing escalators, and key obligations.
• Qualify and onboard suppliers, manage supplier scorecards, and develop local and regional Iron Range suppliers when commercially competitive.
• Identify and mitigate supply risks, including single-source items, long lead times, price volatility, and supplier financial health.
• Develop, implement, and enforce procurement policies, delegation of authority, and purchasing procedures.
• Maintain segregation of duties and ensure three-way matching in coordination with Accounts Payable.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, lender and financing requirements, and applicable regulations, including MSHA safety requirements for on-site contractors.
• Support internal and external audits by maintaining complete, well-documented procurement records.
• Own procurement processes within ProcureMet and support the transition to the future SAP ERP system.
• Collaborate with Maintenance and the warehouse team on inventory control, critical spares, min/max levels, and obsolete stock management.
• Develop dashboards and KPIs covering spend, savings, cycle time, purchase order compliance, and supplier performance.
• Provide regular procurement performance and market-conditions reporting to General Managers and senior leadership.
• Build, motivate, and hold the procurement team accountable, delegating effectively.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical and dental coverage with an HSA option.
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% company match.
• Short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance coverage provided by Mesabi Metallics.
• Paid time off: 96 hours per year for employees with 0–3 years of service.
• Nine paid holidays and two floating holidays.
• Bi-weekly Winners Circle incentive tied to site production of safe, quality tonnes, measured on Safety, Quality and Tons (SQT).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed