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.
- Collaborating & supporting a global cross functional team in developing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) & actively work with team in completing Should Cost Analysis (SCA).
- Supporting category buyers in sourcing activities & in onboarding of new suppliers from across the globe
- Collaborating & supporting cross functional team in developing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

**Qualifications**:

- Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., Engineering, Procurement, Supply Chain, Business)
- Proven experience in Sourcing
- supplier onboarding and or handling source change
- Strong knowledge of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) & Should Cost Analysis (SCA) would be a plus
- Ability to work collaboratively in a global team and with cross-functional departments. Demonstrated ability to drive process improvement initiatives.

**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 Working Knowledge:

- Works with the procurement of services, materials or equipment.
- Follows established procedures, documentation requirements and approval level requests to conduct procurement activities.
- Interprets benefits, issues and considerations of using e-procurement.
- Uses available procurement systems and tools in transactions with approved suppliers.
- Assists in reviewing the fulfillment of administrative and documentation requirements for the completion of purchase.

Level Working Knowledge: