The Role
Leads procurement and strategic sourcing for a mining and pelletization operation under construction. Advises department leaders on major purchases, manages RFQs, negotiations, contracts, supplier performance, procurement controls, inventory coordination, savings initiatives, and ERP processes. Builds the procurement function, develops category strategies, mitigates supply risks, ensures compliance, and reports performance to senior leadership.
Summary Generated by Built In
About Mesabi Metallics:
When you join the team at Mesabi Metallics, you become part of a pioneering group advancing sustainable mining practices and driving innovation in the iron ore industry. Our commitment extends to providing a safe work environment, supporting environmental stewardship and generating value for all stakeholders. You will be joining us at a pivotal moment in Minnesota’s mining history: Mesabi Metallics’ cutting-edge iron ore mining and pelletization project is currently under construction. Once completed, it will mark the first new mine and pellet plant in Minnesota in nearly 50 years.
More importantly, you will be immersed in a positive, supportive work environment that values your contributions and fosters your professional growth. Our culture is shaped by our core values which are sustainability, integrity, inclusivity, innovation, teamwork, determination and performance, and our employees are empowered to make a difference every day.
At Mesabi Metallics, you are part of a legacy of excellence, playing a key role in shaping the future of global infrastructure and industry.
Position Summary:
The Procurement Manager leads the procurement team at Mesabi Metallics and serves as the company's principal commercial partner to the General Managers/Department Head (GMs/DPT Head). While GMs retain ownership of their budgets and spending decisions, this role ensures that every significant purchase is presented to the GM/DPT Head with competitive pricing, sound commercial terms and a clear recommendation, enabling fully informed decisions.
The role will build procurement from its pre-operational foundation into a disciplined, well-governed function that supports construction, commissioning and steady-state mining, concentrating and pelletizing operations.
Job Responsibilities:
The Procurement Manager will be responsible for the following:
Support to General Managers
o Grinding media, reagents, bentonite and other process consumables
o Fuel, lubricants and natural gas
o Maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) supplies
o Contract services, including maintenance, construction, rail and logistics
o Capital equipment and leasing
Required
Primarily office-based with regular use of a laptop, desk, phone and other standard office equipment. Periodic site or terminal visits may be required and may involve use of appropriate PPE.
Salary:
$129,000 - $154,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.
Winners Circle Incentive:
A bi-weekly incentive, calculated as a percentage of bi-weekly wages (base pay plus overtime) and paid in the same paycheck. It is tied to the site's production of safe, quality tonnes, measured on Safety, Quality and Tons (SQT).
When you join the team at Mesabi Metallics, you become part of a pioneering group advancing sustainable mining practices and driving innovation in the iron ore industry. Our commitment extends to providing a safe work environment, supporting environmental stewardship and generating value for all stakeholders. You will be joining us at a pivotal moment in Minnesota’s mining history: Mesabi Metallics’ cutting-edge iron ore mining and pelletization project is currently under construction. Once completed, it will mark the first new mine and pellet plant in Minnesota in nearly 50 years.
More importantly, you will be immersed in a positive, supportive work environment that values your contributions and fosters your professional growth. Our culture is shaped by our core values which are sustainability, integrity, inclusivity, innovation, teamwork, determination and performance, and our employees are empowered to make a difference every day.
At Mesabi Metallics, you are part of a legacy of excellence, playing a key role in shaping the future of global infrastructure and industry.
Position Summary:
The Procurement Manager leads the procurement team at Mesabi Metallics and serves as the company's principal commercial partner to the General Managers/Department Head (GMs/DPT Head). While GMs retain ownership of their budgets and spending decisions, this role ensures that every significant purchase is presented to the GM/DPT Head with competitive pricing, sound commercial terms and a clear recommendation, enabling fully informed decisions.
The role will build procurement from its pre-operational foundation into a disciplined, well-governed function that supports construction, commissioning and steady-state mining, concentrating and pelletizing operations.
Job Responsibilities:
The Procurement Manager will be responsible for the following:
Support to General Managers
- Serve as a trusted commercial advisor to the GMs, who remain accountable for their budgets.
- Provide GMs with a clear, well-supported recommendation for all major purchases, covering bids received, total cost of ownership, commercial terms, risks and alternatives.
- Benchmark pricing and terms against market data, historical purchases and peer operations to help GMs assess value.
- Proactively identify spend that is trending over budget, off-contract or uncompetitively priced, and recommend options early.
- Partner with Finance on budget-to-actual reviews, forecasts and capital expenditure requests.
- Manage competitive RFQ, RFP and tender processes for goods, services, equipment find 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 key spend areas, including:
o Grinding media, reagents, bentonite and other process consumables
o Fuel, lubricants and natural gas
o Maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) supplies
o Contract services, including maintenance, construction, rail and logistics
o Capital equipment and leasing
- Consolidate spend and leverage 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 in collaboration with Legal and Finance.
- Ensure contracts include appropriate insurance, indemnity, safety, liability and termination provisions.
- Maintain a contract register that tracks renewal dates, pricing escalators and key obligations.
- Qualify and onboard suppliers, and manage supplier scorecards covering safety, quality, delivery and cost.
- Develop local and regional Iron Range suppliers where commercially competitive.
- Identify and mitigate supply risks, including single-source items, long lead times, price volatility and supplier financial health.
- Develop, implement and enforce the procurement policy, delegation of authority and purchasing procedures.
- Maintain appropriate segregation of duties and ensure three-way matching in coordination with Accounts Payable.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, lender and financing requirements, and all 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 ERP system (SAP).
- 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, PO compliance and supplier performance.
- Provide regular reporting to GMs and senior leadership on procurement performance and market conditions.
- Leadership: Builds, motivates and holds the team accountable; delegates effectively.
- Business partnership: Advises GMs without assuming ownership of their decisions; earns trust through responsiveness and sound judgment.
- Commercial acumen: Understands cost drivers, market dynamics and total cost of ownership.
- Negotiation: Firm, well-prepared and fair; protects long-term supplier relationships.
- Integrity: Handles confidential and competitive information with discretion and avoids conflicts of interest.
- Communication: Writes clear, concise recommendations and presents confidently to senior leadership.
- Safety mindset: Prioritizes safety in all supplier and contractor selection decisions.
Required
- 10+ years of overall experience in manufacturing or heavy industry.
- Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in procurement or strategic sourcing within an industrial, heavy-equipment or capital-intensive environment.
- At least 3 years of experience leading and developing a team of procurement professionals.
- Proven track record of negotiating complex, high-value contracts and delivering measurable savings.
- Sound working knowledge of contract terms, commercial risk, International Commercial Terms and the Uniform Commercial Code.
- Hands-on experience with enterprise resource planning or e-procurement systems (SAP, Oracle or similar), along with strong Excel and analytical skills.
- Ability to clearly communicate total cost of ownership and trade-offs to non-procurement leaders.
- Experience in the mining, mineral processing, iron ore or pelletizing industry.
- Familiarity with Mine Safety and Health Administration contractor requirements.
- Experience implementing procurement policies, systems or enterprise resource planning system rollouts.
- Professional certification such as Certified Professional in Supply Management, Certified Purchasing Manager or Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply.
Primarily office-based with regular use of a laptop, desk, phone and other standard office equipment. Periodic site or terminal visits may be required and may involve use of appropriate PPE.
Salary:
$129,000 - $154,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.
Winners Circle Incentive:
A bi-weekly incentive, calculated as a percentage of bi-weekly wages (base pay plus overtime) and paid in the same paycheck. It is tied to the site's production of safe, quality tonnes, measured on Safety, Quality and Tons (SQT).
- Ramp Up Phase (October 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027): calculated against achievable production targets measured by the hour.
- Optimization Phase (from April 1, 2027): tied to bi-weekly production targets.
- Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage with an HSA option.
- Retirement Plan: 401(k) with 4% company match.
- Lincoln STD, LTD, & Life Insurance: Coverage provided by Mesabi Metallics.
- Paid Time Off (PTO):
- 0-3 Years: 96 hours per year.
- Plus 9 paid holidays and 2 floating holidays.
Skills Required
- 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 procurement team
- Proven experience negotiating complex, high-value contracts and delivering measurable savings
- Working knowledge of contract terms, commercial risk, Incoterms, and the Uniform Commercial Code
- Hands-on experience with ERP or e-procurement systems such as SAP or Oracle
- Strong Excel and analytical skills
- Ability to communicate total cost of ownership and trade-offs to non-procurement leaders
- Experience in mining, mineral processing, iron ore, or pelletizing
- Familiarity with MSHA contractor requirements
- Experience implementing procurement policies, systems, or ERP rollouts
- Professional certification such as CPSM, CPM, or CIPS
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The Company
What We Do
Mesabi Metallics Company LLC, an Essar Group company, is developing an iron ore mine and pellet plant in Nashwauk, Minnesota. The operation is designed to produce 7 million metric tons of direct-reduction-grade iron ore pellets annually for the steel industry. By supplying high-grade domestic feedstock, the project aims to support U.S. steelmaking, strengthen domestic supply, and advance the transition toward lower-carbon, green steel.
