Associate Procurement Professional

**Career Area**: Procurement **Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.** When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do - but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here - we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it. Role Definition Processes requisitions and provides support for purchasing, supply chain, sourcing, cost, price analyses and contract/purchase order generation. Responsibilities - Developing improvement plans to support buyers & professionals related to Response Time, Lean Targets Quality, Cost, Logistics, Development, and Management (QCLDM) to enable optimal and efficient operations. - Performing analysis and maintenance of assigned processes that produce output excellence, builds expertise for the assign process area, and contributing to continuous improvement efforts. - Supporting customers and customer proposal efforts with pricing information and supplier selection. - Performing analytical and administrative tasks in support of purchasing strategic initiatives. Degree Requirement Degree or equivalent experience desired Skill Descriptors Data-driven Decision Making: Knowledge of the data-driven decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to gather and analyze data to make organizational decisions that align with strategic business objectives and goals. Level Working Knowledge: - Applies an assigned technique for data-driven thinking in a Decision-Making process. - Discerns between "signal" and "noise" when interpreting data. - Identifies, obtains, and organizes relevant data and ideas. - Participates in the process of choosing KPIs and metrics to influence decisions. - Utilizes the basic data collection and evaluation tools and techniques. Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems. Level Basic Understanding: - Names specific tools or techniques that can be used to support the analytical thinking process. - Gives examples of how analytical thinking has been used to resolve problems. Level Working Knowledge: - Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors without offending the recipient. - Listens to feedback without defensiveness and uses it for own communication effectiveness. - Makes oral presentations and writes reports needed for own work. - Avoids technical jargon when inappropriate. - Looks for and considers non-verbal cues from individuals and groups. Project Management: Knowledge of effective project management strategies and tactics; ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control projects, ensuring efficient utilization of technical and administrative resources to achieve project objectives. Level Working Knowledge: - Provides input for Gantt or PERT charts or their equivalent to track project progress and status. - Under guidance, plans and estimates simple projects. - Assists in detailed project plans including cost, schedule, and resource requirements. - Obtains information from stakeholders during the planning stage of a project. - Produces standard project status reports. Procurement: Knowledge of buying and procurement; ability to work with organizational strategies and practices, and use tools for buying goods, supplies, equipment and services needed to conduct business. Level Basic Understanding: - Identifies the major steps and critical paths in a purchasing cycle. - Explains the basic concepts and responsibilities of institutional purchasing. - Describes the major types of materials, products or services purchased by the organization. - Identifies the basic tools used for maintaining procurement information and records. Level Working Knowledge: - Uses the system to process routine purchase orders and payments. - Communicates with professionals to understand various procedures for a specific procurement system within the organization. - Uses software to monitor the status and shipment of orders. - Maintains inspection records, photographs, and important documentation of procurement system. Purchasing Tasks and Activities: Knowledge of policies, regulations and processes of purchasing; ability to use practices and procedures for procurement of materials, components, equipment and services. Level Basic Understanding: - Identifies the basic tools used for maintaining procurement information. - Identifies major types of products or services purchased by the organization. - Explains the basic concepts and responsibilities of purchasing tasks and activities. - Describes established procurement processes and standards. Logistics Management: Knowledge of the processes