Senior Category Buyer - Indirect Buyer

Caterpillar•Lafayette, IN

5d•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 Global Finance Services Division (GFSD) is seeking a Senior Category Buyer to support the Lafayette, Indiana facility. In this role, you will serve as a strategic procurement partner to Manufacturing, Facilities, Engineering, and Product Group stakeholders, helping to ensure the right suppliers, contracts, and procurement strategies are in place to support site operations. You will collaborate closely with business partners, suppliers, and Indirect Procurement Category Teams to drive supplier performance, cost savings, compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives. This position is ideal for a procurement professional who enjoys building relationships, influencing business decisions, and supporting a dynamic manufacturing environment.

Requirements

Knowledge of procurement processes, supplier management, sourcing, and contract administration.
Experience supporting supplier negotiations and managing commercial relationships.
Ability to balance business needs, supplier capabilities, cost, and risk.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across multiple functions.
Experience working collaboratively with suppliers, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams.
Ability to influence decisions and drive outcomes without direct authority.
Experience using data and analytics to support procurement decisions and identify improvement opportunities.
Ability to analyze supplier performance, spend data, and business requirements to develop recommendations.
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience preferred.
Progressive experience in procurement, category management, sourcing, supplier management, or related business disciplines.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting procurement activities within a manufacturing, engineering, or industrial environment.
Experience managing indirect procurement categories such as MRO, tooling, facilities, services, or manufacturing equipment.
Demonstrated success driving supplier performance and delivering cost savings.
Strong contract negotiation and supplier relationship management experience.
Experience supporting large manufacturing sites and partnering with plant leadership.
Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, or supplier development methodologies.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary procurement partner for the Lafayette facility, supporting Manufacturing, Facilities, Engineering, and Product Group operations.
Support sourcing activities, supplier selection, contract negotiations, and procurement execution across multiple indirect spend categories.
Manage supplier relationships and help ensure supplier performance aligns with business and operational objectives.
Support categories such as: Perishable tooling, Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO), Manufacturing equipment, Facility maintenance services, Janitorial and grounds services, Site operational support services.
Collaborate with Category Managers and business stakeholders to align suppliers with project requirements and operational needs.
Lead supplier issue resolution, pricing discussions, and contract administration activities.
Drive Joint Process Improvement (JPI) initiatives with suppliers and business partners to achieve cost savings and process improvements.
Utilize spend data and supplier performance metrics to identify opportunities for cost reduction, cost avoidance, and operational efficiency.
Ensure compliance with Caterpillar Purchasing Practices, Enterprise Procedures, and procurement governance requirements.
Provide guidance and support to business partners navigating procurement processes and tools.