Category Buyer III

Career Area:

Procurement

Job Description:

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

Provides supply network solutions expertise, using Quality, Cost, Logistics, Development, and Management (QCLDM) to deliver maximum value.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary contact between Caterpillar and the supply base for global/regional initiatives, including filling the functional seat for commercial discussions/negotiations with suppliers, being the recognized expert for his or her assigned portion of the global category, supports development and execution of global category strategies, and drives performance excellence in Quality, Cost, Logistics, Development, and Management (QCLDM) through direct leverage with the supply base partnering with Supplier Development Professional (SDP) personnel and Product/Facility Procurement organizations. Buyer may also be a Supplier Lead for suppliers with multiple source buyers. This role is responsible and accountable for the development, and/or communication and implementation of a, regional, or worldwide sourcing strategy. Responsible for development, management and execution of the global category strategy, managing policies, agreements, source catalogs, and special procurement programs. Accountable for the liaison with the corresponding source buyers.
• Provide leadership for strategic sourcing – qualified supply network, business continuity, supplier risk management – capacity & financial, contract management, supplier commercial negotiations, cost/spend management – TCA assurance, supplier on boarding/off boarding, lead/response time optimization and resource management decisions. Lead continuous improvement initiatives and purchasing new product introduction activities within Purchasing. Demonstrate leadership in recognizing the potential for cost and inventory reductions, and quality improvement; as well as responsibility for soundness of business proposals and risk assessment. Mentor and develop other Buyers, SQEs, and Purchasing Analysts (where assigned). Promote the highest level of professionalism and business ethics
  • Acting as the liaison between the organization and the supplier to communicate information explicitly, while considering production demands and suppliers' conditions.
• 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 will lead 6 Sigma Strategic Sourcing teams to fully understand the current performance of the supply network, evaluate strategic options, decide a course of action, and begin implementation. The incumbent must also have strong knowledge of the product, NPI, Facility, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Category Strategies.
• Collaborate with Supplier Development Engineers, to ensure continuous improvement in QCLDM with key suppliers. Build and foster mutually beneficial supplier relationships at all organizational levels.

Degree Requirement

Experience is preferred in purchasing, logistics, manufacturing, and/or engineering. The position requires an undergraduate degree from a college or university – or equivalent experience. A minimum of four 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. 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. Extremely Strong Negotiator, able to interpret, analyze and negotiate contractual cost elements.

Understanding of QCLDM

Skill Descriptors

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.

Level Extensive Experience:

• Advises stakeholders on the relationship between financial, performance, and operational data used in business data analytics.
• Anticipates operational challenges of data collection and its integration with decision-making.
• Identifies correlations that reveal trends and determine conditions.
• Evaluates the quality of data collected and the effectiveness of data analysis methods for evaluating business performance.
• Interprets potential risks, threats, and opportunities involved with predictive modeling.
• Directs the implementation of business data collection processes and educates junior employees on new data sources.

Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.

Level Extensive Experience:

• Reviews others' writing or presentations and provides feedback and coaching.
• Adapts documents and presentations for the intended audience.
• Demonstrates both empathy and assertiveness when communicating a need or defending a position.
• Communicates well downward, upward, and outward.
• Employs appropriate methods of persuasion when soliciting agreement.
• Maintains focus on the topic at hand.

Interpersonal Relationships: Knowledge of the techniques and the ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Explains impact of interactions with individuals and groups.

• Identifies roles and responsibilities for self and others.

• Demonstrates an understanding of alternative points of view.
• Collaborates with departmental associates and management.
• Adapts interaction style to situations and people.

Caterpillar: Confidential Green

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.

Level Extensive Experience:

• Ensures negotiators have awareness of complementary yet diverse interests.
• Successfully completes significant negotiations, both internal and external.
• Details the risks of negotiation breakdown from each party's perspective.
• Protects own position, while demonstrating willingness to achieve win-win.
• Identifies similarities and differences in position and assesses impact on discussions.
• Detects and addresses lack of progress or a stalemate.

Contracts Management and Administration: Knowledge of policies, standards and processes of how to manage and administer contracts; ability to use proper processes and practices for managing and administering a variety of contractual agreements.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Administers locally relevant contracts for the department.
• Implements organizational protocols and procedures for contracts management.
• Explains the types of information required before a contract is signed.
• Reviews contracts to ensure compliance with contract specifications and regulations.
• Assists in creating files of relevant information for specific vendors, customers, or contracts.

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 Working Knowledge:

• Records documents of purchasing tasks and activities, such as orders, bidding.
• Uses available procurement systems and tools.
• Ensures compliance with procurement regulations and contract specifications.
• Works with basic purchasing related tasks and activities.
• Adheres to various requirements and steps of the procurement process.

Supplier Relationship Management: Knowledge of supplier relationship management concept and strategies; ability to address critical issues to meet supplier needs and maintain engaged, partnering relationship with suppliers.

Level Extensive Experience:

• Advises others on the organization's supplier relationship management practices.
• Builds consensus, resolves conflicts, and applies techniques to achieve influence and impact results with different suppliers in the organization's supplier network.
• Coaches juniors on selecting, evaluating, and managing suppliers.
• Conducts periodic reviews of work effort, progress, issues, and successes in supplier relationship establishment and management.
• Evaluates the impact of SRM on the organization's different financials.
• Refines organizational processes for establishing and maintaining supplier partnerships.

Strategic Sourcing: Knowledge of strategic sourcing methods, technologies and processes; ability to analyze, improve and re-evaluate organizational procurement process continuously.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Works with various basic components of strategic sourcing, such as data analysis, market research and purchasing budgets examination.
• Participates in enhancing institutional sourcing process continuously including identifying improvement opportunities.
• Conducts strategic sourcing activities in a limited environment.
• Follows relevant standards, policies and practices regarding strategic sourcing.
• Assists senior sourcing professionals with strategic sourcing in multiple environments.

Posting Dates:

September 2, September 11, 2025

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply

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