Buyer Processor I

Position Summary

The Buyer 1 is responsible for accurately identifying, grading, and purchasing incoming recyclable metals while providing efficient service to customers and supporting the safe flow of material through the yard. This position requires strong knowledge of metal types and grades, attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to maintain accurate transactions and inventory movement.

The Buyer 1 works closely with yard leadership and processing team members to ensure materials are properly identified, purchased, sorted, tagged, and directed to the appropriate storage or processing area.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage customer flow through the assigned buying and material receiving area.
• Identify and distinguish various metals, including aluminum, copper, brass, steel, stainless steel, zinc, and other recyclable materials.
• Accurately grade materials based on type, quality, cleanliness, and value.
• Use appropriate tools and testing methods, including magnets, grinders, or spark testing, when necessary to verify material type.
• Inspect incoming materials for contamination, including plastic, rubber, wood, oil, or other non-metal components.
• Identify and flag hazardous, prohibited, suspicious, or unprocessable materials in accordance with company procedures.
• Accurately complete purchasing transactions and verify required customer identification, credentials, certifications, or licenses when applicable.
• Follow established pricing, purchasing, and material acceptance procedures.
• Ensure purchased materials are properly tagged and directed to the correct processing or storage location.
• Support inventory accuracy by verifying material and pallet identification and placement.
• Maintain appropriate documentation related to material purchases and movement.
• Follow all safety procedures and required PPE standards.
• Maintain an organized work area free of debris, trip hazards, and unnecessary material.
• Handle material in a manner that minimizes employee injury, equipment damage, and material loss.
• Support scale management and other operational activities within the assigned area as needed.
• Communicate material, customer, safety, inventory, or operational concerns promptly to yard leadership.
• Perform other duties reasonably related to the position and yard operations.

Knowledge, Skills & Qualifications

• Working knowledge of ferrous and non-ferrous metals and common scrap grades.
• Ability to visually identify and accurately grade recyclable materials.
• Ability to learn and consistently apply SPORC purchasing and pricing procedures.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to transaction accuracy.
• Basic math and computer/data-entry skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with customers, coworkers, and supervisors.
• Ability to work independently while coordinating with the broader yard team.
• Strong safety awareness and ability to recognize potentially hazardous or unacceptable material.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced outdoor industrial environment.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Prior scrap metal, recycling, industrial, warehouse, or material-handling experience preferred.
• Prior experience identifying or purchasing scrap metal strongly preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of relevant experience and training may be considered.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

This position regularly works in an outdoor recycling-yard environment and may be exposed to heat, cold, rain, dust, dirt, noise, moving equipment, and metal debris. The employee must be able to stand and walk for extended periods, bend, reach, and safely handle materials consistent with the requirements of the position. Required PPE must be worn at all times in designated areas.

Pay: Up to $16.00 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person