Buyer

Sims Metal (Sims) is a global leader in metal recycling. With facilities across the globe, Sims plays an intrinsic role in the circular economy by making resources available for future use. As a responsible corporate citizen, we continuously seek new ways to broaden our participation in the environmental sector, ensuring that our future is as bright, safe, and secure as at any time in our long history.

Job Summary

This role drives inbound material flow by developing strong partnerships with industrial accounts, demolition contractors, dealers, and other suppliers. The ideal candidate is outgoing, highly organized, self-directed, and experienced in metals recycling.

Principal Accountabilities

Customer Relations & Retention

• Build and maintain relationships with new and existing suppliers to secure steady ferrous and non-ferrous flows.
• Oversee customer interactions and retention efforts at the facility.
• Greet customers, analyze scrap materials, and authorize pricing overrides when appropriate.
• Ensure all suppliers receive a high-quality customer experience.
• Resolve customer complaints and concerns.
• Maintain and update facility scoreboards used for customer communication.
• Conduct supplier surveys to gather feedback and improve services.
• Coordinate customer appreciation events.
•  Identify new purchasing opportunities through site visits, cold calls, and industry networking.
• Negotiate pricing and contracts aligned with market conditions and profitability goals.

Commercial & Supplier Engagement

• Support Commercial Managers in meeting supplier needs, including quality inspections and payment processes.
• Work with operations staff on grading and quality of incoming materials.
• Collaborate with operations and transportation teams to ensure efficient handling and logistics.
• Exercise independent judgment when approving downgrades.
• Respond to inbound commercial calls and quote requests promptly, ensuring backup coverage when unavailable.
• Cold-call potential suppliers and maintain a tracking database of outreach results.
• Establish new supplier accounts through site visits, quoting, and transportation coordination.
• Transition large, long-term accounts to Commercial Managers once established.
• Provide accurate grading, scale tickets, and settlement information to suppliers upon request.

Marketing & Outreach

• Plan and execute marketing, outreach, and customer retention programs.
• Lead implementation of the Scrap Acceptance Policy/Agreement at the facility.

Regulatory Compliance

• Stay current on federal, state, and local regulations related to scrap metal recycling.
• Ensure applicable regulations are implemented at the facility.

Market Intelligence & Reporting

• Gather and analyze market data on pricing trends, local projects, and supply availability.
• Assist in responses to RFBs and RFPs for inbound materials.
• Produce weekly Facility Reports on buy performance versus targets.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records and supplier profiles.

General Responsibilities

• Report weekly activities and schedules to the supervisor to align with objectives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience Required

• 2 -4 years of scrap metal buyer experience in the metals recycling industry or at least 5 years in a related field, preferably in a buyer or procurement role.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage territory planning.
• Comfortable visiting job sites, machine shops, yards, and industrial facilities.
• Solid understanding of basic ferrous and non-ferrous metal categories.

Skills

Interpersonal & Communication

• Strong people skills with the ability to build and maintain supplier relationships.
• Comfortable with both in-person and phone communication.

Negotiation & Sales

• Proven ability to negotiate scrap material purchases.
• Experience working with steel scrap dealers to secure timely, cost-effective deliveries.

A career with Sims provides you with the opportunity to work with an organization whose goal is to be the world’s safest and most responsible recycling company. Our people achieve this by creating a zero-harm workplace, being exemplary members of the communities in which we operate, and being responsible stewards of the environment. We also offer competitive pay and a range of attractive benefits.

Sims is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value the diversity of all of our employees and are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where everyone can contribute, advance on merit, and realize their full potential. Sims does not discriminate with regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, citizenship status, disability, age, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, housing status, source of income, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. This applies to any employment decision, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.  qualified applicants with a disability in need of a reasonable accommodation may request such without fear of reprisal or discrimination. 

To achieve our purpose to create a world without waste to preserve our planet, we are guided by our Principles of Purpose: Be Safe + Well, Band Together, Be Accountable + Transparent, Consistently Innovate, Inspire with Purpose, Celebrate + Have Fun.