Vendor Manager

Caterpillar•Peoria, IL

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. Who is CAT Digital? What do we do? Big machines require big thinking. Are you looking for your next big challenge? Cat® Digital is the digital and technology arm of Caterpillar Inc., leveraging the latest technologies to build industry leading digital solutions for our customers and dealers. With over one million connected assets worldwide, our teams use data, technology, advanced analytics, telematics, and AI capabilities to help our customers build a better world. Job Opportunity: As Cat Digital expands, the Cat Digital Vendor Management Office continues to grow as well. We are seeking talented individuals to join our team to help us establish and grow our presence, organization, culture, which will drive our digital product development efforts. As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to support teams cutting-edge technologies and collaborate with top professionals working on very high impact and visibility products. Don't miss this chance to join support digital innovation for a global leader in heavy machinery! As a Senior Digital Service Deliver Analyst in Cat Digital's Vendor Management Office, you will have the opportunity to support and manage our procurement activities, maintain strong relationships with our vendors, both locally and globally. You will play a crucial role in optimizing our procurement processes, negotiating contracts, and ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery of goods and services. You will assist in the management of our vendor portfolio, to drive operational efficiency and achieve organizational goals. What will you do? Main duties for Senior Digital Service Deliver Analyst are managing policies, practices, and operations for the selection, negotiation, and purchasing/licensing of technology products and services. Arbitrating claims or complaints occurring under the performance of contracts. Developing and implementing processes and tools for different types of contracts, risk assessments, disputes, and issue resolutions, etc. Conducting analyses of existing vendor networks to assess their capability of meeting business objectives, recommending new vendors in terms of capacity. Negotiating, extending, terminating, and renegotiating contracts for the acquisition of equipment, materials, products, or services. This position works directly with Slovakia based engineering leadership and reports into Cat Digital VMO in the US.

Requirements

Negotiating: Working 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.
Project Management: Extensive knowledge and experience with effective project management strategies and tactics; ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control projects, ensuring efficient utilization of technical and administrative resources to achieve project objectives. Utilizes preferred tools, techniques and methods for estimating project cost and time. Plans, estimates, staffs, organizes and monitors significant projects. Identifies risks and vulnerabilities; creates contingency plans. Conducts regular and ad-hoc project reviews with project team, sponsors, and clients. Maintains open communication among project participants and interested parties. Communicates reporting requirements; creates monitoring and control mechanisms.
Stakeholder Management: Working knowledge of stakeholder management techniques; ability to systematically identify stakeholders, analyze their needs and expectations, and implement various tasks to engage with them. Assesses the role of the board and its committees in promoting governance and accountability to stakeholders. Uses an appropriate range of technology mediums to communicate effectively with stakeholders in formal and informal situations. Provides assistance to colleagues promoting a culture of inclusion, collaboration, ethics and compliance. Applies empathy and cultural sensitivity with diverse stakeholders. Assesses the opportunities and risks of pursuing a corporate strategy in the context of ever-increasing complex stakeholder considerations.
Contracts Management and Administration: Working knowledge of policies, standards and processes of how to manage and administer contracts; ability to use proper processes and practices for managing and administering a variety of contractual agreements. Administers locally relevant contracts for the department. Implements organizational protocols and procedures for contracts management. Explains the types of information required before a contract is signed. Reviews contracts to ensure compliance with contract specifications and regulations. Assists in creating files of relevant information for specific vendors, customers, or contracts.
Vendor Management: Working knowledge of vendor management methodologies, technologies and processes; ability to gain increased value and excellent services from vendors, as well as costs control and risk mitigation throughout the deal life cycle. Resolves routine supplier issues; escalates non-routine issues up chain of command. Works with vendors to ensure that purchases meet delivery date and quality specifications. Researches alternative vendors or suppliers; participates in supplier selection. Acts as the routine contact point between the organization and vendors. Follows procedures in carrying out routine supplier management tasks.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Consulting Techniques, roles, and responsibilities in providing technical or business guidance to clients, both internal and external; ability to apply consulting knowledge appropriately.
Knowledge of Product and Vendor Evaluation; ability to implement processes for the evaluation and selection of products, tools, services and infrastructure components ensuring they are in line with an organization's business needs and architectural principles.
Knowledge of Software Licensing legal practices, considerations and management of software licensing; ability to implement, support and update software licensing processes.
Knowledge of Global Sourcing; ability to procure raw materials, components, services and equipment in a global arena.
Knowledge of ITIL Service Delivery; ability to apply ITIL processes and standards for managing the provision of IT services in line with customer expectations.
Relevant Procurement or Vendor Management certifications such as the CTPS (Certified Technology Procurement Specialist) or CTPE (Certified Technology Procurement Executive)
A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education and industry experience as Vendor Manager, Relationship Manager, Buyer, Category Manager, or a similar role.

Responsibilities

Managing policies, practices, and operations for the selection, negotiation, and purchasing/licensing of technology products and services.
Arbitrating claims or complaints occurring under the performance of contracts.
Developing and implementing processes and tools for different types of contracts, risk assessments, disputes, and issue resolutions, etc.
Conducting analyses of existing vendor networks to assess their capability of meeting business objectives, recommending new vendors in terms of capacity.
Negotiating, extending, terminating, and renegotiating contracts for the acquisition of equipment, materials, products, or services.