Category Buyer I

Career Area:

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:

• 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.

• Acting as the liaison between the organization and the supplier to communicate information explicitly, while considering production demands and suppliers' conditions.

• Documenting the suppliers' performance on time sensitiveness and production; maintains a strong relationship with suppliers.

Degree Requirement: Bachelors of Engineering from Tier 1 College or University

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 Working Knowledge:

• Collects required data through various data sources and documents them for evaluating trends and activities.

• Assists in preparing charts, graphs, tables, and other tools to represent the results obtained from data analysis.

• Researches business-related data, analyzes, interprets, and presents findings to management.

• Recognizes and assesses problems, opportunities, and methods for improving existing business performance.

• Utilizes designated data analysis software to analyze the data.

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 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.

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.

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 Basic Understanding:

• Describes qualities of effective and ineffective negotiations.

• Explains the basic concepts of negotiating.

• Accesses organizational policies and practices for negotiating.

• Utilizes techniques for establishing rapport and building trust.

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 Basic Understanding:

• Explains the responsibilities of the contracts administration function.

• Describes basic concepts and activities of managing existing contracts.

• Discusses organizational protocols, standards, and procedures for contracts management and administration.

• Identifies and interprets regular contracts administration reports.

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 Basic Understanding:

• Describes the general processes and procedures involved in supplier relationship management.

• Explains the benefits of establishing and maintaining supplier relationships.

• Identifies the main objectives and functions of supplier relationship management.

• Locates where and how to obtain or maintain information on suppliers.

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

 Level Basic Understanding:

• Describes where and how to obtain more information regarding strategic sourcing.

• Cites specific examples of usage or application of strategic sourcing.

• Explains key concepts and steps of strategic sourcing.

• Identifies major initiatives, key issues and benefits of strategic sourcing.

Additional Info:

• Office Model: This position requires the employee to work a 5-day-a-week schedule in the office.

This Job Description is intended as a general guide to the job duties for this position and is intended for the purpose of establishing the specific salary grade.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive summary of all responsibilities, duties and effort required of employees assigned to this job.  At the discretion of management, this description may be changed at any time to address the evolving needs of the organization.  It is expressly not intended to be a comprehensive list of "essential job functions" as that term is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Posting Dates:

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

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