<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.19
                                                                   -------------

                             EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


     THIS AGREEMENT, by and between Ryerson Tull, Inc. (the "Company") and Neil
S. Novich (the "Executive") effective as of December 1, 1999 (the "Effective
Date");


                               WITNESSETH THAT:


     WHEREAS, the Company has appointed Executive to the position of Chairman,
President and CEO, and Executive has accepted such appointment; and

     WHEREAS, in connection with such appointment, the Company and Executive
desire to enter into this Agreement;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the Executive's appointment as
Chairman, President and CEO, and for other good and valuable consideration the
receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, it is agreed by the Executive and
Company as follows:

     1.         Duties.  The Executive agrees that while he is employed by the
                ------
Company, he will devote his full business time, energies and talents to serving
as the Chairman, President and CEO of the Company and providing services for the
Company at the direction of the Board of Directors of the Company.  The
Executive shall have such duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to him
from time to time by the Board of Directors, shall perform all duties assigned
to him faithfully and efficiently, subject to the direction of the Board of
Directors, and shall have such authorities and powers as are inherent to the
undertakings applicable to his position and necessary to carry out the
responsibilities and duties required of him hereunder; provided, however, that
the Executive shall not be required to perform any duties while he is disabled.
Both parties understand and agree that the Executive may serve on boards of
directors of other businesses which are not in competition with the Company and
may engage in civic and charitable activities provided that such service and
activities do not materially interfere with the performance of the Executive's
duties.

     2.         Compensation.    Subject to the terms and conditions of this
                ------------
Agreement, during the Employment Period while the Executive is employed by the
Company, the Company shall compensate him for his services as follows:
<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.19
                                                                   -------------

     (A)  The Executive shall receive, for each twelve-consecutive month period
          beginning on February 8, 1999, and each anniversary thereof, an annual
          salary not less than $500,000 (the "Salary"), which Salary shall be
          payable in substantially equal bi-weekly installments. The Executive's
          rate of Salary shall be reviewed annually beginning in February, 2000
          and may be increased at that time with the Compensation Committees
          approval.

     (B)  The Executive shall be entitled to receive bonuses from the Company in
          accordance with the bonus plans of the Company as in effect from time
          to time. As Chairman, President and CEO his target bonus award
          percentage shall be 70% of the median annual salary of the CEO
          position within the Hewitt comparator survey, subject to annual
          approval of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

     (C)  Except as otherwise specifically provided to the contrary in this
          Agreement, the Executive shall be provided with health, welfare and
          other fringe benefits to the same extent and on the same terms as
          those benefits are provided by the Company from time to time to the
          Company's other senior management executives.

     (D)  The Executive shall be reimbursed by the Company, on terms and
          conditions that are substantially similar to those that apply to other
          similarly situated senior management executives of the Company, for
          reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for entertainment, travel, meals,
          lodging and similar items which are consistent with the Company's
          expense reimbursement policy and actually incurred by the Executive in
          the promotion of the Company's business.

     (E)  The Company shall pay or shall reimburse the Executive for both of his
          monthly club dues and assessments;

     (F)  The Company shall pay the Executive for the amount of the monthly
          lease payment for the automobile that the Executive uses for business;
          provided, however, that the Company shall report as income to the
          Executive any amounts required by law or the policies of the Company
          relating to the Executive's personal use of such automobile.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.19
                                                                   -------------

     (G)  The Executive shall be recommended for stock awards in the future
          utilizing the methodology in place for the 1999 grant. The methodology
          in place for 1999 will not be changed in a manner which is less
          favorable to the Executive.

     (H)  The Executive shall be provided financial services counseling.

     3.   Rights and Payments Upon Termination.  The Executive's right to
          ------------------------------------
benefits and payments, if any, for periods after the date on which his
employment with the Company terminates for any reason (his "Termination Date")
shall be determined in accordance with this Section 3:

     (A)  Termination by the Company for Reasons Other Than Cause; Termination
          --------------------------------------------------------------------
          by the Executive for Good Reason. If the Executive's termination by
          --------------------------------
          the Company occurs for any reason other than Cause or is a result of
          the Executive's termination of employment for Good Reason (and is not
          on account of the Executive's death, disability, or voluntary
          resignation, the mutual agreement of the parties or any other reason),
          then the Executive shall receive from the Company for the period
          commencing on his Termination Date and ending on the earliest of (i)
          the thirty-sixth month after the Executive's Termination Date; (ii)
          the date on which the Executive violates the provisions of Sections 4,
          5 or 6 of this Agreement; or (iii) the date of the Executive's death,
          the Salary, bonus and benefits in effect as of his Termination Date,
          payable in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 3(B). The
          biweekly salary amounts will continue as described above. Benefits
          that will continue will include medical, dental, basic life insurance,
          financial counseling services, any optional life insurance and any
          optional accidental death and dismemberment insurance. Bonus shall
          mean three payments of the average annual amount of the award paid to
          the Executive pursuant to the annual incentive plan or successor plan
          with respect to the three years immediately preceding that in which
          the Termination Date occurs; excluding any years in which the bonus
          was zero. If all three immediately preceding bonus payments were equal
          to zero, then no bonus payment would be continued for the next three
          years.

          Base salary payments to the Executive during the aforementioned
          thirty-six month period shall not preclude the Executive's eligibility
          for payments under the Companys severance plan.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.19
                                                                   -------------

          Thirty-six months of additional age and service credit will be
          provided to the Executives RT Pension and the RT Supplemental Plan
          using the methodology described in the Executives Change in Control
          Agreement except that any lump sum payment will be made thirty-six
          months after the Executives Termination Date and only if the Executive
          has not violated the Confidentiality, Nonsolicitation and
          Noncompetition provisions of this Agreement.

          All existing unvested options as of the Termination Date will become
          vested and the Executive shall be afforded a 36 month extension period
          of time (but not beyond the original Termination Date of the option)
          from the Termination Date to exercise any remaining unexercised
          options that had not expired before the Termination Date.

          It is expected that the Executive would have an opportunity to
          exercise said options in a cashless exchange from the first window
          period (post earnings public release period) after the Executive's
          Termination Date and thereafter. The Company expects that such a
          transaction could be accomplished very promptly at the beginning of
          said window period and thereafter. The Executive may exercise a
          cashless exchange of options before the date mentioned above if the
          Company is in agreement on the efficacy of such action and such
          agreement would not be unreasonably withheld by the Company.

          The Company will, to the maximum extent permitted by law, defend,
          indemnify and hold harmless the Executive and the Executive's heirs,
          estate, executors and administrators against any costs, losses,
          claims, suits, proceedings, damages or liabilities to which the
          Executive may become subject which arise out of, are based upon or
          relate to the Executive's employment by the Company (and any
          predecessor company to the Company), or the Executive's service as an
          officer or member of the Board of Directors of the Company (or any
          predecessor company to the Company), including without limitation
          reimbursement for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by
          the Executive in connection with investigation and defending against
          any such costs, losses, claims, suits, proceedings, damages or
          liabilities. The Company shall maintain directors and officers
          liability insurance in commercially reasonable amounts (as reasonably
          determined by the Board), and the Executive shall be covered under
          such

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.19
                                                                   -------------

          insurance to the same extent as other senior management employees of
          the Company with respect to matters which occurred during such period
          of employment.

          The Executive will be provided one-on-one Executive out placement and
          office services following his Termination Date. Such services will be
          paid for by the Company and consistent with the existing Company
          program and appropriate to his level.

          The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any
          payment provided for in this Agreement by seeking outside employment
          or otherwise and such payments shall not be reduced by any other
          income earned by Executive.

     (B)  Termination By Company for Cause. If the Executive's termination is a
          --------------------------------
          result of the Company's termination of the Executive's employment on
          account of Cause, then, except as agreed in writing between the
          Executive and the Company, the Executive shall have no right to future
          payments or benefits under this Agreement (and the Company shall have
          no obligation to make any such future payments or provide any such
          future benefits) for periods after the Executive's Termination Date.

     (C)  Termination for Death or Disability. If the Executive's termination is
          -----------------------------------
          caused by the Executive's death or permanent disability, then the
          Executive (or in the event of his death, his estate) shall be entitled
          to continuing payments of his Salary for the period commencing on his
          Termination Date and ending on the earlier of (i) the last day of the
          calendar month in which his Termination Date occurs or (ii) the date
          on which the Executive violates the provisions of Sections 4, 5 or 6
          of this Agreement.

     (D)  Termination for Voluntary Resignation, Mutual Agreement or Other
          ----------------------------------------------------------------
          Reasons. If the Executive's termination occurs on account of his
          -------
          voluntary resignation, mutual agreement of the parties, or any reason
          other than those specified in Paragraphs (A), (B) or (C) above then,
          except as agreed in writing between the Executive and the Company, the
          Executive shall have no right to future payments or benefits under
          this Agreement (and the Company shall have no obligation to make any
          such future payments or provide any such future benefits) for periods
          after the Executive's Termination Date. The Executive's

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.19
                                                                   -------------

          termination of employment for Good Reason shall not be treated as a
          voluntary resignation for purposes of this Agreement.

     (E)  Definitions.  For purposes of this Agreement:
          -----------

          (i)  The term "Cause" shall mean:

               (a)  the willful engaging by the Executive in conduct which is
                    demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company or its
                    affiliates, monetarily or otherwise, as determined by the
                    Board of Directors; or

               (b)  conduct by the Executive that involves theft, fraud or
                    dishonesty; or

               (c)  the Executive's violation of the provisions of Sections 4, 5
                    or 6 hereof.

          (ii) The term "Good Reason" means (a) the assignment to the Executive
               duties which are materially inconsistent with his duties as
               Chairman, President and CEO of the Company, including, without
               limitation, a material diminution or reduction in his title,
               office or responsibilities or a reduction in his rate of Salary,
               failure to provide bonus opportunities or stock awards in
               accordance with the requirements in Section 2, or (b) the
               relocation of the Executive to a location that is not within the
               greater Chicago metropolitan area.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Executive shall
automatically cease to be an employee of the Company and its affiliates as of
his Termination Date and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any and all
monies that the Executive owes to the Company shall be repaid before any post-
termination payments are made pursuant to the Executive pursuant to this
Agreement.

4.        Confidential Information.  The Executive agrees that:
          ------------------------

(A)       Except as may be required by the lawful order of a court or agency of
          competent jurisdiction, or except to the extent that the Executive has
          express authorization from the Company, he shall keep secret and
          confidential indefinitely all non-

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.19
                                                                   -------------

          public information (including, without limitation, information
          regarding litigation and pending litigation) concerning the Company
          and its affiliates which was acquired by or disclosed to the Executive
          during the course of his employment with the Company, and not to
          disclose the same, either directly or indirectly, to any other person,
          firm, or business entity, or to use it in any way.

     (B)  Upon his Termination Date or at the Company's earlier request, he will
          promptly return to the Company any and all records, documents,
          physical property, information, computer disks or other materials
          relating to the business of the Company and its affiliates obtained by
          him during his course of employment with the Company.

     (C)  The Executive shall keep the Company informed of, and shall execute
          such assignments as may be necessary to transfer to the Company or its
          affiliates the benefits of, any inventions, discoveries, improvements,
          trade secrets, developments, processes, and procedures made by the
          Executive, in whole or in part, or conceived by the Executive either
          alone or with others, which result from any work which the Executive
          may do for or at the request of the Company, whether or not conceived
          by the Executive while on holiday, on vacation, or off the premises of
          the Company, including such of the foregoing items conceived during
          the course of employment which are developed or perfected after the
          Executive's termination of employment. The Executive shall assist the
          Company or other nominated by it, to obtain patents, trademarks and
          service marks and the Executive agrees to execute all documents and to
          take all other actions which are necessary or appropriate to secure to
          the Company and its affiliates the benefits thereof. Such patents,
          trademarks and service marks shall become the property of the Company
          and its affiliates. The Executive shall deliver to the Company all
          sketches, drawings, models, figures, plans, outlines, descriptions or
          other information with respect thereto.

     (D)  To the extent that any court or agency seeks to have the Executive
          disclose confidential information, he shall promptly inform the
          Company, and he shall take such reasonable steps to prevent disclosure
          of Confidential Information until the Company has been informed of
          such requested disclosure. To the extent that the Executive obtains
          information on behalf of the Company or any of its affiliates that may
          be subject to attorney-client privilege as to the

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.19
                                                                   -------------

          Company's attorneys, the Executive shall take reasonable steps to
          maintain the confidentiality of such information and to preserve such
          privilege.

     (E)  Nothing in the foregoing provisions of this Section 4 shall be
          construed so as to prevent the Executive from using, in connection
          with his employment for himself or an employer other than the Company
          or any of its affiliates, knowledge which was acquired by him during
          the course of his employment with the Company and its affiliates, and
          which is generally known to persons of his experience in other
          companies in the same industry.

     5.   Nonsolicitation.  While the Executive is employed by the Company and
          ---------------
its affiliates and for a period of  three years after the date the Executive
terminates employment with the Company and its affiliates for any reason, the
Executive covenants and agrees that he will not, whether for himself or for any
other person, business, partnership, association, firm, company or corporation,
directly or indirectly, call upon, solicit, divert or take away or attempt to
solicit, divert or take away, any of the customers or employees of the Company
or its affiliates in existence from time to time during his employment with the
Company and its affiliates.

     6.   Noncompetition.  While the Executive is employed by the Company and
          --------------
its affiliates, and for a period of  three years after the date the Executive
terminates employment with the Company and its affiliates, the Executive
covenants and agrees that he will not, directly or indirectly, engage in,
assist, perform services for, plan for, establish or open, or have any financial
interest (other than (i) ownership of 1% or less of the outstanding stock of any
corporation listed on the New York or American Stock Exchange or included in the
National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System or (ii)
ownership of securities in any entity affiliated with the Company) in any
person, firm, corporation, or business entity (whether as an employee, officer,
director or consultant) that engages in an activity in any state in which the
Company or its affiliates is conducting or has reasonable expectations of
commencing business activities at the date of the Executive's termination of
employment, which is the same as, similar to, or competitive with the metals
service center, processing and distribution business of the Company and its
affiliates.

Employment of the Executive by a metals manufacturing organization is not
considered a violation of this noncompetition section as long as the Executive
does not personally engage in

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.19
                                                                   -------------

activities with the metals manufacturer to obtain or increase business from the
Company's customers through mill direct or competitor supported business
activities.

     7.   Equitable Remedies.  The Executive acknowledges that the Company
          ------------------
would be irreparably injured by a violation of Sections 4, 5 and 6 and agrees
that the Company, in addition to other remedies available to it for such breach
or threatened breach, shall be entitled to a preliminary injunction, temporary
restraining order, other equivalent relief, restraining the Executive from any
actual or threatened breach of Sections 4, 5 and 6 without any bond or other
security being required.

     8.   Defense of Claims.  The Executive agrees that, during his employment
          -----------------
with the Company and after his termination, he will cooperate with the Company
and its affiliates in the defense of any claims that may be made against the
Company or its affiliates to the extent that such claims may relate to services
performed by him for the Company. To the extent travel is required to comply
with the requirements of this Section 8, the Company, shall to the extent
possible, provide the Executive with notice at least 10 days prior to the date
on which such travel would be required and the Company agrees to reimburse the
Executive for all of his reasonable actual expenses associated with such travel;
provided, however, that if the Company reasonably expects the travel to be
extensive or unduly burdensome to the Executive from a financial perspective,
the Company may provide to the Executive pre-paid tickets for transportation in
connection with such travel.

     9.   Notices.  Notices provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing
          -------
and shall be deemed to have been duly received when delivered in person or sent
by facsimile transmission, on the first business day after it is sent by air
express courier service or on the second business day following deposit in the
United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid and addressed, in the case of the Company to the following address:

          Ryerson Tull, Inc.
          2621 W. 15th Place
          Chicago, IL 60608
          Attention:  William Korda

or to the Executive:

          Neil S. Novich
          431 Washington Avenue
          Wilmette, IL  60091

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.19
                                                                   -------------

or such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing
in accordance herewith, except that a notice of change of address shall be
effective only upon actual receipt.

     10.  Withholding.    All compensation payable under this Agreement shall
          -----------
be subject to customary withholding taxes and other employment taxes as required
with respect to compensation paid by a corporation to an employee and the amount
of compensation payable hereunder shall be reduced appropriately to reflect the
amount of any required withholding.  The Company shall have no obligation to
make any payments to the Executive or to make the Executive whole for the amount
of any required taxes.

     11.  Successors.  This Agreement shall be binding on, and inure to
          ----------
the benefit of, the Company and its successors and assigns and any person
acquiring, whether by merger, reorganization, consolidation, by purchase of
assets or otherwise, all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

     12.  Nonalienation.  The interests of the Executive under this Agreement
          -------------
are not subject to the claims of his creditors, other than the Company, and may
not otherwise be voluntarily or involuntarily assigned, alienated or encumbered.

     13.  Waiver of Breach.  The waiver by either the Company or the
          ----------------
Executive of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate as or
be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach by either the Company or the
Executive.  Continuation of payments hereunder by the Company following a breach
by the Executive of any provision of this Agreement shall not preclude the
Company from thereafter terminating said payments based upon the same violation.

     14.  Severability.   It is mutually agreed and understood by the parties
          ------------
that should any of the agreements and covenants contained herein be determined
by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid by virtue of being vague or
unreasonable, including but not limited to the provisions of Sections 4, 5 and
6, then the parties hereto consent that this Agreement shall be amended
retroactive to the date of its execution to include the terms and conditions
said court deems to be reasonable and in conformity with the original intent of
the parties and the parties hereto consent that under such circumstances, said
court shall have the power and authority to determine what is reasonable and in
conformity with the original intent of the parties to the extent that said
covenants and/or agreements are enforceable.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.19
                                                                   -------------

     15.  Applicable Law.  This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with
          --------------
the laws of the State of  Illinois.

     16.  Amendment.  This Agreement may be amended or cancelled by mutual
          ---------
Agreement of the parties in writing without the consent of any other person.

     17.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
          ------------
counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original,
but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
Each counterpart may consist of a copy hereof containing multiple signature
pages, each signed by one party hereto, but together signed by both of the
parties hereto.

     18.  Arbitration & Legal Fees.  Disputes arising out of or in connection
          ------------------------
with the interpretation and application of this Agreement shall be discussed by
the Executive and the Company in good faith negotiations for the purpose of
reaching an amicable resolution.  Without prejudice to the Company's rights
under Section 7 of this Agreement, any such disputes which cannot be settled
amicably within thirty (30) days after written notice by one party to the other
(or after such longer period agreed to in writing by the parties), shall
thereafter be settled by binding arbitration in Chicago, Illinois, to be
conducted pursuant to the rules and procedures then obtaining of the American
Arbitration Association and judgement on the award rendered in such arbitration
may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction.

     The Executive is entitled to timely payments (not later than 30 calendar
days after notice from the Executive) from the Company of reasonable attorney
fees incurred by the Executive in the event of a dispute arising out of or in
connection with the interpretation and application of this Agreement.

     19.  Other Agreements.  This Agreement constitutes the sole and complete
          ----------------
Agreement between the Company and the Executive and supersedes all other
agreements, both oral and written, between the Company and the Executive with
respect to the matters contained herein,  provided, however, that this Agreement
does not supersede the Change in Control Agreement or Severance Plan.  No verbal
or other statements, inducements, or representations have been made to or relied
upon by the Executive.  The parties have read and understand this Agreement.

                              RYERSON TULL, INC.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.19
                                                                   -------------

Dated:  11/24/99               /s/ William Korda
       ---------------         ------------------------------------
                               William Korda
                               Vice President Human Resources



Dated:  12/15/99               /s/ Neil S. Novich
       ---------------         ------------------------------------
                               Neil S. Novich
                               Chairman, President & CEO

                                      -12-