Associate Procurement Professional

Caterpillar•Green Valley, AZ

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Procurement Professional plays a key role in supporting purchasing, sourcing, and supply chain activities by processing requisitions, conducting cost and price analyses, and assisting with contract and purchase order administration. Working closely with suppliers and internal stakeholders, this position helps drive operational excellence, ensure compliance, and support the timely delivery of goods and services. This role is ideal for a detail-oriented, analytical professional who enjoys problem-solving, collaborating across functions, and supporting strategic procurement initiatives. You will partner with business units, engineering, finance, legal, and suppliers to deliver high-quality solutions that drive business success while supporting Quality, Cost, Logistics, Development, and Management (QCLDM) objectives.

Requirements

Understanding of data-driven decision-making processes and associated tools and techniques.
Ability to gather, analyze, and interpret data to support business objectives.
Knowledge of key considerations and best practices in data-driven decision making.
Ability to analyze information, identify root causes, and develop alternative solutions.
Working knowledge of analytical tools, business analytics applications, and problem-solving techniques.
Capability to support improvement initiatives through analytical insights.
Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with internal and external stakeholders.
Capable of preparing reports, presentations, and business correspondence.
Skilled at providing and receiving constructive feedback and adapting communication styles appropriately.
Basic understanding of project management concepts, phases, deliverables, and tools.
Ability to support procurement-related projects and coordinate assigned activities.
Understanding of project timelines, milestones, and critical paths.
Knowledge of procurement principles, purchasing processes, and sourcing practices.
Understanding of procurement cycles, supplier management, and procurement compliance requirements.
Ability to maintain procurement records and support purchasing activities.
Basic understanding of procurement systems, reports, and purchasing workflows.
Ability to process purchases and maintain procurement information within designated systems.
Familiarity with procurement technologies and reporting tools.
Knowledge of logistics processes and supply chain operations.
Understanding of inbound and outbound logistics considerations.
Ability to recognize opportunities for process improvements that support operational excellence.
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, Engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.

Nice To Haves

Experience in procurement, purchasing, supply chain, logistics, sourcing, or a related business discipline is preferred.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
Experience with procurement or ERP systems is preferred.
Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.

Responsibilities

Process requisitions and support purchasing activities for goods and services.
Assist with contract and purchase order generation, administration, and maintenance.
Support procurement processes while ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures.
Maintain procurement documentation, records, and system data accuracy.
Support customers and customer proposal efforts with pricing information and supplier selection.
Assist with supplier sourcing, evaluation, and onboarding activities.
Conduct cost and price analyses to support procurement decisions and sourcing strategies.
Collaborate with suppliers and stakeholders to support quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
Perform analysis and maintenance of assigned processes that produce operational excellence.
Build expertise within assigned process areas and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
Develop improvement plans supporting buyers and procurement professionals related to Response Time, Lean Targets, and QCLDM performance objectives.
Generate reports and perform data analysis to support strategic procurement initiatives and business decisions.
Partner with business units, engineering, finance, legal, and operations teams to support procurement requirements.
Communicate procurement-related information clearly and professionally to internal and external stakeholders.
Support project activities and procurement initiatives by coordinating tasks, timelines, and deliverables.
Provide administrative and analytical support for purchasing and supply chain programs.
Ensure procurement activities adhere to company policies, procedures, and contractual obligations.
Support procurement audits, compliance reviews, and documentation requirements.
Identify potential supply or process risks and escalate concerns appropriately.
Contribute to efficient and effective procurement operations through sound decision-making and process discipline.