Purchasing 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 Basic Understanding:

- Describes major considerations and issues in the use of data-driven decision making.
- Differentiates Data-driven decision making from traditional decision making.
- Explains characteristics and steps in an effective Data-driven Decision-Making process.
- Identifies key objectives in gathering and analyzing data.

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.

Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to
appropriate communication behaviors.
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 Basic Understanding:

- Identifies project management tools and requirements within own function.
- Describes the key objectives, phases and deliverables of a current project.
- Explains the concepts of phase, activity, task, and deliverable.

Caterpillar: Confidential Green
- Gives examples of critical paths in projects.

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.

Knowledge of a Specific Procurement System: Knowledge of the features, functions and operations of a specific
procurement system; ability to develop and use tools, techniques, and practices for a specific procurement
Level Basic Understanding:

- Identifies key reports, their use, and frequency related to the specific procurement system.
- Explains how to process purchases of basic materials and supplies.
- Identifies key components of the specific system using relevant language.

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