The Steel and Commodity Buyer is a highly accountable, solutions-driven role responsible for supporting purchasing operations across General Stamping & Metalworks (GSM). This position owns core purchasing responsibilities and plays a critical role in ensuring material availability, cost control, and supplier performance in support of GSM’s lean manufacturing and delivery goals.
Aligned with EOS principles, this role is responsible for procuring both direct and indirect materials, maintaining strong and proactive supplier relationships, resolving past-due orders, and ensuring the accuracy and integrity of purchasing data within the ERP system. The Steel and Commodity Buyer balances tactical execution with strategic thinking to support operational efficiency and continuous improvement.
This position operates cross-functionally, partnering with production, engineering, quality, and leadership teams, while also serving as a key point of contact for suppliers. Success in this role requires disciplined execution, strong communication, attention to detail, and a proactive, problem-solving mindset that reflects GSM’s core values.
Organizational Relationships and Authority
Reports directly to the Purchasing Manager
Purchasing Operations & Data Integrity
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date data within the GSM Purchasing module, including:
o Lead times, supplier contact information, and order confirmations
o Clean and organized purchase order (PO) logs
o Accurate pricing and cost tracking
o Economic order quantities and replenishment levels (reviewed and updated as approved)
- Follow established GSM purchasing processes to ensure all materials are sourced from approved suppliers at approved pricing, including placing orders in advance of demand when authorized.
Supplier Management & Performance
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to support quality, delivery, and cost expectations
- Proactively communicate with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery; expedite orders as needed to support production requirements
- Track and report supplier performance metrics, including:
o Supplier scorecards
o Supplier audits
o Supplier improvement initiatives
- Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers in partnership with the Purchasing Manager to support sourcing strategies and cost optimization
Inventory, Planning & Execution
- Support demand balancing across GSM plants and external partners as directed
- Develop, implement, and audit vendor-managed inventory (VMI) programs to improve material flow and availability
- Manage Tool Room purchasing activities and oversee the Tool Room order entry process
- Maintain all required material certifications in an organized and accessible manner
Cost Management & Continuous Improvement
- Drive cost savings through:
o Competitive bidding
o Strategic sourcing and dual sourcing initiatives
o Optimized order quantities and purchasing methods
- Track and document cost savings through established processes
- Analyze and present monthly spending by department, identifying trends and opportunities for improvement
- Identify opportunities to consolidate spend by leveraging existing supplier capabilities or sourcing new solutions
Additional Responsibilities
- Serve as a backup to the Purchasing Manager as needed
- Support continuous improvement initiatives within the purchasing function
- Perform other duties as assigned
Education/Experience
- Minimum associate’s degree in business administration or similar discipline, bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred. Experience buying steel in a manufacturing environment. Microsoft Word and Excel experience. SharePoint experience a plus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Open office and/or cubicle workstation
What We Do
General Stamping & Metalworks is a leading supplier of stampings and assemblies to the North American solar power industry, which is forecasting another decade of double-digit growth. In addition, we are a key supplier to market leaders in a diverse set of industries including outdoor power equipment, agricultural and construction equipment, recreational vehicles and industrial trucks.
GSM has been in business since 1922, and we realize that our employees spend a large portion of their lives working; therefore, we have invested in the finest facility and grounds in the fabricating industry. We also invest in state-of-the-art equipment, technology, and in our greatest resource, our employees.
What Makes Us Different
GSM is proud of our diverse, welcoming workforce, and we make every effort and investment to ensure their success and provide a path to build better lives. We offer:
- $2/hour shift premium for 2nd shift
- Tuition reimbursement program
- Fully equipped fitness center
- Locker rooms with showers
- Air-conditioned welding department
- Employee wellness initiatives (on-site flu vaccination, wellness care, and EAP resources)
- Comprehensive health, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits
- 401(K), holiday pay, and vacation accrual that starts on the date of hire
- Advancement opportunities only a growing company can provide
