Category Buyer Ii

**Career Area**:Purchasing & Procurement**:
**Job Purpose**:
The NPI Buyer is the core team member of the Prime Product/Component Group’s NPI core team for Retail Electric Power Solutions Division (REPS), This role is the Procurement and Supply Network representative responsible for planning, coordinating, governing, and reporting E & T Purchasing’s participation in the NPI/NSI process. This includes target validation and governance to meet GW3 commitments

JOB RELATED STATISTICS: Attributes will typically fall into the following levels.

Customer Effect: Multiple Business Units

Market Difficulty: Leverage or Acquisition

Process Difficulty: Simple

Supplier Location: Multiple sites - one country

Spend: Generally, between 50 and 100 million

JOB DUTIES:
Major Role - To represent E & T Purchasing in the Core NPI /NSI teams, Cost reduction initiatives ensure NPI conformance on procurement issues, monitor and report NPI progress, Collaborate with Design teams and suppliers for meeting cost, quality and timeliness of requirements, and to assist the product group in managing procurement related capital. Accountable for understanding product & component strategies, E & T Purchasing strategies, corporate NPI process, and the business processes necessary to deliver GW3 commitments. Responsible for the forecasting and management of procurement related capital and expense items (supplier tooling and packaging), NPI target setting and conformance, and E & T Purchasing participation in design for “X”

Leadership
- Provide leadership for the NPI activities within E & T Purchasing including select sources taken from the category strategies & matrices and resource management decisions. Demonstrate leadership in recognizing the potential for cost and quality improvement, as well as responsibility for soundness of business proposals and risk assessment. Promote the highest level of professionalism and business ethics.

Strategy
- Tools and Techniques of 6 Sigma will be required and may be attained by Black Belt, Green Belt, Project Sponsor, or other 6 Sigma related training programs. The incumbent must also have strong knowledge of the product, NPI, Manufacturing, Supply Network and Category & Facilities Strategies.

Customers
- Typical internal customers include contacts at all REPS organization levels, worldwide. The incumbent solves NPI /NSI problems by determining the best course of action, within departmental guidelines, from many existing solutions. The role will identify and satisfy Critical Customer Requirements (CCR), managing Product expectations for E & T Purchasing to deliver benefits required to sustain a competitive advantage

The NPI Buyer works with Product & Component Groups to develop and implement Cost, Quality, and Response Time targets for system teams, and monitors and provides upward and lateral feedback on performance to these targets

BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE:
Experience is preferred in procurement, manufacturing, and/or engineering ( Fabrication Parts) The position requires an undergraduate degree from a college or university - or equivalent experience. A minimum of 6 to 10 years of progressively responsible job-related experience. Professional certification in Purchasing and/or Inventory Management preferred, e.g., Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.), Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) and Certified in Integration Resource Management (CIRM), or comparable international certification is desired. Well-developed interpersonal skills are required in dealing with sensitive issues, developing others, and reaching consensus on specific actions. This individual normally possesses category team or product team experience. Functional leadership. Is experienced in leading teams, suppliers, and customers to effective solutions. Analytical, problem solving, and project leadership skill. Effective communicator, in written and oral form. Fluent in the English language and preferred other languages. Understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles as applied by Caterpillar and our suppliers. Shop floor experience is added advantage

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO).

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