Category Buyer

Caterpillar•Mossville, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Category Buyer focused on engine and air system components, including air valves, bellows, etc. This role is within the Power & Energy Procurement organization, which plays a critical role in supporting all divisions within Power & Energy. The organization's work is geared towards predictable supply excellence, optimized total cost of ownership, supplier relationship management, and lifecycle sourcing strategy. The Category Buyer will provide supply network solutions expertise, using Quality, Cost, Logistics, Development, and Management (QCLDM) to deliver maximum value. The company is committed to building a better, more sustainable world and is contributing to a reduced-carbon future.

Requirements

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.
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.
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.
Works to achieve win-win in negotiations, rather than taking a win-lose approach.
Focuses on issues rather than personalities.
Uses active listening and probing techniques to surface problems, issues, and interests.
Demonstrates a willingness to examine own position.
Presents own position and listens attentively to position of others.
Knowledge of policies, regulations and processes of purchasing; ability to use practices and procedures for procurement of materials, components, equipment and services.
Knowledge of supplier relationship management concept and strategies; ability to address critical issues to meet supplier needs and maintain engaged, partnering relationship with suppliers.

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.
Owns procurement system integrity, including PO management, invoice resolution, and inbound delivery discrepancy, resolution.
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.
Adheres to organizational policies and codes for supplier relationship management.
Communicates with suppliers about contract preparation and negotiation.
Documents and analyzes problems and challenges in supplier relationship establishment and management.
Monitors satisfaction levels of the organization's important suppliers on a regular basis.
Works with different external suppliers to address critical issues and resolves major problems for implementing supplier relationship management practices.