Category Buyer III

Caterpillar Inc.•Morton, IL

6d•$112,710 - $169,060•Onsite

About The Position

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. Caterpillar’s RISM (Resource Industries Supply Management) Procurement organization plays a critical role in supporting all divisions within Resource Industries. Our work is centered on predictable supply excellence, optimized total cost of ownership, supplier relationship management, and lifecycle sourcing strategy. As a Category Buyer III, you will support the Dealer Service Tools (DST) product group supporting tools and equipment used by Caterpillar’s global dealer network to repair, rebuild, and maintain machines. This is not a traditional buyer role; you will operate in a complex, global aftermarket environment where supply base variability, pricing strategy, minimum lot quantity (MLQ), scheduling, and supplier performance all intersect. You will leverage data, systems, and analytical insights to drive category strategy, cost optimization, and supplier performance while collaborating across a global supply network. What makes this role exciting: This role offers strong visibility across RISM and the global dealer network, giving you the opportunity to influence decisions that directly impact customers and dealers worldwide. You will work in a highly dynamic aftermarket space where no two supplier or sourcing challenges are the same, requiring both strategic thinking and hands-on problem solving. Success in this position comes from being a big-picture thinker who understands the end-to-end supply chain and downstream customer impact. You’ll play a key role in shaping supplier strategy, negotiating cost improvements, and driving solutions that improve performance across a complex global supply base while building meaningful cross-functional partnerships and delivering measurable business impact.

Requirements

Effective Communications: Communicate complex procurement strategies clearly across internal and external stakeholders, Tailor messaging for various audiences and provide coaching or feedback on communication, Influence decision-making using structured, persuasive communication approaches
Interpersonal Relationships: Collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams and supplier networks, Adapt communication and interaction styles to different stakeholders across varying geographies
Negotiating: Lead complex internal and external negotiations to achieve favorable commercial outcomes, Balance multiple stakeholder interests while protecting business position, Identify negotiation risks and navigate stalled discussions to closure
Supplier Relationship Management: Manages supplier performance across cost, quality, and delivery, Build relationships that drive accountability, innovation, and performance improvement, Understands supplier capabilities within a global and aftermarket supply base
Strategic Sourcing: Support sourcing strategy execution through market research, spend analysis, and supplier evaluation, Identify continuous improvement opportunities within category sourcing processes, Apply sourcing best practices across procurement activities

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience demonstrated through work in supply chain, procurement, or a related field
Demonstrated experience supporting procurement, supplier management, or supply chain initiatives, with exposure to cost, sourcing, or supplier performance outcomes
Experience in aftermarket, dealer network, or service parts environments
Strong understanding of the end-to-end supply chain, including downstream customer
Well-developed negotiation skills, including the ability to interpret, evaluate, and negotiate pricing, commercial terms, and contractual elements
Experience managing pricing strategy, minimum lot quantities (MLQ), scheduling, or supplier variability
Demonstrated leadership and problem-solving capability, including leading projects, initiatives, or data-driven solutions
A systems- and data-driven mindset, with the ability to use analytics to inform decisions and drive outcomes
Proven ability to solve complex supply chain challenges with practical, solution-oriented approaches

Responsibilities

Develop and execute category strategies across DST, including pricing, supplier selection, sourcing programs, and lifecycle management
Drive cost reduction and cost negotiation initiatives, balancing total cost of ownership with supply continuity and quality outcomes
Manage and optimize supplier performance, including delivery reliability, quality, responsiveness, and long-term capability development
Act as a primary liaison between internal stakeholders and suppliers, aligning global demand with supplier capacity and constraints
Navigate complex supply dynamics including MLQ, scheduling variability, and aftermarket-specific supply challenges
Analyze procurement and supplier data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities; translate insights into actionable strategy
Build strong supplier relationships while holding suppliers accountable for performance and continuous improvement
Evaluate downstream impacts across the aftermarket value chain, ensuring decisions support dealer success and customer outcomes