• Job Description

  Req#: INSID018435

  General Position Summary & Responsibilities:

  The Inside Buyer reports to the Regional Account Manager. This individual is responsible for marketing, advertising and purchasing of scrap metals (both Ferrous and Non-Ferrous) for the peddler and retail book of business within his/her defined geographic area. Incumbent ensures that effective communication is maintained between the receiving facility, Outside Buyers and management regarding the flow of material into the facilities.

  The Inside Buyer reviews the inspections and grading of purchased material coming into the facilities and reports the information to other buyers regarding the quality of the received material. This individual responds to scale receiving personnel when new suppliers arrive at the scale, and observes the inspection and grading process and prices material accordingly.

  The Inside Buyer assesses the potential for continued business and ensures a smooth transition for the new supplier into business with the facility. The Inside Buyer spends a significant amount of their time seeking out new business via “cold calling” or follow-up phone contact with companies that may have expressed an interest in the services the facility provides.

  This individual must be knowledgeable about handling and processing costs for all commodities and possess a thorough understanding of the current pricing strategy. The Inside Buyer must understand current market conditions and be cognizant of customer’s and competitor’s pricing.

  This position operates within somewhat defined parameters. The primary goal of this position is to achieve excellence in all facets of commercial operations. Providing the highest quality product safely, effectively and efficiently decreases accidents and errors and increases profits.

  Essential Functions:

  • Environmental, Health and Safety
    • Ensures safe work practices and equipment are used at all times and that documentation and current practices are in accordance with company safety policies, OSHA, and other regulatory guidelines. In addition, provides a safe environment for employees, customers, and visitors.
    • Communicates and reinforces MRB’s position on scrap acceptance in line with Environmental, Health, and Safety regulations.
  • Operational Performance & Best Management Practices
    • Views and inspects loads of material checking for quality, quantity and compliance with environmental health and safety requirements.
    • Review the previous day’s scale purchase activities.
    • Reports purchase transactions and the related receipt of payments.
    • Resolves any issues found during these reviews and communicates changes/adjustments to the Office Manager, Scale Personnel and the Outside Buyers if needed.
    • Competitive Bid Preparation:
      • Supports the competitive bid process by assisting in the inspection and grading of material.
      • Calculates resources that will be needed to support the bid offering requirements.

  • Prepares standard bid preparation forms approved by the Regional Director of Commercial Operations.

  • Metals Purchasing;
    • Communicates with the Regional Account Manager or Director of Commercial Operations when confirming bids or pricing requests that come in for a significant quantity of material.
    • Reviews current market conditions and the company’s inventory position with the Commercial Operations team to obtain guidance before making significant or long-term purchases.

  • Encourages suppliers to move product to the facilities as quickly as possible.
  • Advance Payments;
    • Advances payments to suppliers in accordance with published MRB and regional policy.
  • Servicing of Existing Supplier Base
    • Creates new customer pricing accounts in material purchase computer system.
    • Reviews transactions and purchase activities daily.
    • Ensures proper pricing is on hand for the Commercial Operations team and Scale Receiving teams.
    • Verifies that the scale purchase system has the latest pricing and coordinates with the facility’s Office Manager to ensure the pricing is continuously brought up to date.
  • Marketing & Business Development
    • Works with the Regional Account Manager to develop a written plan of action.
    • Spends approximately 25% of the work week in search of new business both to build his/her own book of business and support the Outside Buyer’s books of business.
    • Portrays a positive image for Schnitzer Metals Recycling Business (MRB) during discussions or visits with customers.
    • Provides a high level of customer service during meet and greet activity at the receiving scale and while on the phone.
    • Discusses compliance issues and generally puts the supplier at ease about dealing with the Company.
    • Performs research in telephone books, trade magazines, computer searches and local business magazines for potential leads.
    • Monitors marketing plan and compares actual results to original targets.
  • Administrative Management
    • Coordinates with office staff to ensure accurate and timely documentation of all purchasing transactions.
    • Provides weekly reports on number of visits to customers, quantity and quality of material purchased, follow-up action that is anticipated or required, expense reports, etc.

  Specific Other Responsibilities (regional, location, compliance, etc):

  The objective of the Inside Buyer is to buy ferrous and nonferrous materials at a net profit to Schnitzer. The Inside Buyer will use the provided phone script for qualifying customers and work with call center personnel to refine and make efficient the process of customer conversion. The Inside Buyer has fiscal responsibility to negotiate pricing and ensure that material is purchased at a price that maximizes profits. The Inside Buyer is accountable for continued business growth as well as the maintenance of the existing customer base. The Inside Buyer is the main point of contact between Schnitzer and customer. The Inside Buyer will work to build strong relationships with the customers. The Inside Buyer is responsible for Marketing and Business development initiatives that raise awareness of the Schnitzer brand. The Inside Buyer will educate customers on grading and material classification. Review, audit, and analyze purchase tickets. Assist the company loss prevention activities. Resolve customer issues in a manner that is amiable to both the customer and the company. Inside Buyers will be expected to work with the Commercial Support Department on the creation and submission of any bids and must ensure that the final bid follows the company’s standard format and is signed off on by the Regional Account Manager. The Inside Buyer is responsible for conducting market research on competitors and providing feedback to the Regional Account Manager and Commercial Operations Director regarding pricing and other relevant market conditions. The Inside Buyer is responsible for the customer’s experience and is expected to strive for continuous improvement in the process.

  Internal Control Responsibilities:

  Supports the Company’s Internal Control process which includes understanding, communicating company with defined internal controls as well as suggesting and making modifications to the policies, procedures and controls to better relate to the business.

  Communicates upward problems in operations, noncompliance with the code of conduct, or other policy violations or illegal actions.

  Interpersonal Contacts:

  Internal contacts include:

  • The Commercial team for advising, asking questions, coordinating customer and sales activity, pricing, and assistance with maintaining company goals.
  • The office staff for exchanging information on paperwork and computer entry.
  • The yard personnel for the exchange of information regarding truck movement and incoming material.

  External contacts include current and potential customers to provide information regarding pricing, acceptable materials, and grading specifications.

  Job Conditions:

  Average office environment; occasional exposure to dirt and dust related to scrap yard environment. Work pressure can be substantial during peak times, requiring considerable adaptability; disturbances of work flow, and/or irregularities in work schedule are expected to occur on an intermittent basis. Offsite work involves meeting in person with current or potential customers, and visiting other Schnitzer locations. Regional travel required.

  Physical Activities Required to Perform Essential Functions:

  Ability to sit, stand, or walk for extended periods of time, up to 6-8 hours per day; bend at waist; operate a vehicle,; use hands to write or keyboard; assemble papers, staple; photo copy; use ten-key; be mobile within an average office environment; and communicate by phone and in person in a professional manner. Visual acuity to read detailed documents, inspect material and use a computer.

  Qualifications:

  Bachelor’s degree in Marketing or Business is preferred, but not required, in addition to 0-2 years industry sales experience. This position requires possession of a valid driver’s license and the ability to drive an automobile.

  Superior customer service skills; Windows, which includes Outlook; tact and ability to communicate with people at all levels, both orally and in writing, in a professional manner; excellent mathematical and problem solving skills; strong negotiation skills attention to detail and accuracy. Ability to: have practical understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagrammatic form; deal with problems involving several specific variables in or from standard situations.

  PLEASE NOTE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.

  All U.S. applicants must be 18 years of age or older and all Canada applicants must be 16 years of age or older.

  Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. participates in e-verify for all U.S. new hires.

  An offer of U.S. employment by Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries is contingent on the satisfactory completion of a post-offer drug screen and background check.

  All new hires must review and sign an Arbitration Agreement. This applies to all U.S. non-union employees.

  As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, marital status, disability status, national origin or ancestry, veteran status, age, prior industrial injury, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected status under local, state or federal law.

• About the company

  Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. is a steel manufacturing and scrap metal recycling company headquartered in Portland, Oregon.

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