Senior Category Buyer

Caterpillar•Peoria, IL

17h•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 Construction Industries Supply Management division is hiring for a Senior Category Buyer in Peoria, IL! Role Summary: In this role, you will be responsible to establish and execute a sourcing strategy, optimize total cost of supply, and drive world class supplier performance following the QCLDM framework.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in related fields or equivalent experience desired
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.
Interpersonal Relationships: Knowledge of the techniques and the ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner.
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.
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.
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.
Strategic Sourcing: Knowledge of strategic sourcing methods, technologies and processes; ability to analyze, improve and re-evaluate organizational procurement process continuously.

Nice To Haves

Purchasing or procurement experience as a Purchasing Analyst/Supply Network Specialist, Buyer, Supplier Development Engineer (SDE), Facility Buyer, Product Supply NPI Lead or similar role.
Experience with strategic sourcing, collaborating with external suppliers, interpreting and analyzing contracts, purchasing systems (ie: SAP, lognet)
Familiar with quality, cost modeling and NPI tools, fact-based negotiation, LEAN/Six Sigma, or manufacturing principles, and external factors that influence a supply base

Responsibilities

Lead commercial discussions and negotiations with the responsible supply base to drive continuous cost improvement
Drive performance excellence in Quality, Cost, Logistics, Development, and Management (QCLDM) of the responsible supply base
Manage source matrices for Category
Negotiate purchasing agreements with responsible supply base
Lead continuous improvement initiatives and purchasing new production introduction activities
Identify and select suppliers based on strategic sourcing principles, QCLDM, and total cost of ownership
Build and foster relationships with suppliers
Develop supply base to have the right capabilities and capacity to meet Enterprise growth targets, including onboarding and offboarding suppliers as needed
Interface with product groups to ensure alignment of strategies and ensure customer requirements are being met
Mentor Supply Network Specialists (where assigned)