Category Buyer

**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.

**Your Impact 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.

**Job Summary**

We are seeking a skilled **Category Buyer(Packaging)** to join **our Business & Solutions (GSND) -Finance Services Division.**

The incumbent would be responsible for providing supply network solutions expertise, using Quality, Cost, Logistics, Development, and Management (QCLDM) to deliver maximum value.

The preference for this role is to be based out of **Whitefield Office, Bangalore, India**

**What you will do**

**Job Roles and Responsibilities**

This position is a Category Buyer responsible for the procurement of Packaging. Reporting directly to the Category Manager, this role will work with operational and packaging solutions teams to define business requirements and drive global strategy that supports overall organizational objectives. Key work activities include strategy development, managing a network of service providers, strategically sourcing to meet operational objectives, bidding process, contracts administration, performing category analytics and driving supplier performance.

The role requires a strong communicator capable of working solutions to complex problems for internal process partners and customers, keeping them informed of progress and working closely with them to ensure all requirements are met. Relationship building and management at senior levels with the suppliers is also expected that will foster trust, professionalism and continuous improvement.
- Developing, managing and executing the category strategy managing policies, agreements, source catalogs, and special procurement programs.
- Recognizing the potential for cost decreases, inventory reductions and quality improvement, as well as responsibility for soundness of business proposals and risk assessment.
- Procure packaging material that meet Cat’s complex global operational and procurement standard requirements. Key focus around strategic sourcing to ensure capacity, service and market price objectives are met. Recognizing the potential for cost decreases, inventory reductions and quality improvement, as well as responsibility for soundness of business proposals and risk assessment.
- Acting as the liaison between the organization and the supplier to communicate information explicitly, while considering production business demands and suppliers' conditions.
- Documenting the suppliers' performance on time sensitiveness and production; maintains a strong relationship with suppliers.
- Leads contract negotiations with packaging providers to achieve service and product requirements that meet operational objectives and in accordance with Caterpillar’s long-term strategy.
- Works with various basic components of strategic sourcing, such as data analysis, market research, commodity indexation and purchasing budgets examination.
- Works with different external suppliers to address critical issues and resolves major problems for implementing supplier relationship management practices.

**What you will have**
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, or related field
- ** Data Analytics**: Knowledge of techniques and processes for inspecting, cleansing, transforming, and modeling data; ability to discover useful information, draw logical conclusions, and support decision-making.
- ** Interpersonal Relationships**: Being comfortable working individually as well as in a team environment. Working with suppliers and customers. Knowledge of the techniques and the ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner.

**What Will Put You Ahead (Preferred Skills)**:

- Negotiating: Knowledge of successful negotiation concepts and techniques; ability to negotiate successfully across the organization and with external vendors and clients in a constructive and collaborative manner.
- General knowledge in Project Management
- Six Sigma, Lean, and/or American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) certifications

**Skills desired**:
**Data Analytics**: Knowledge of tec