Senior Category Buyer

Career Area:

Procurement

Job Description:

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.

The Opportunity
There is an exciting opportunity within Global Finance Services Division – Indirect Procurement.  Reporting to the Facility and Process Maintenance Global Category Manager, this Senior Category Buyer position will be responsible and accountable for providing procurement solution expertise and delivering maximum value within Indirect Services.  You'll have the unique opportunity to build strategic relationships with key business stakeholders within Caterpillar, be a trusted business advisor, manage critical suppliers and provide leadership in the Facility and Process Maintenance category across the Americas.  

Job Summary
Major Role - This role is responsible and accountable for assisting in the development, communication, and implementation of a global, regional, and / or local sourcing strategy.  This individual will coordinate with the global and regional category teams and the Indirect Centers of Excellence to deploy the category strategy that helps to deliver optimal business value to the verticals and the overall enterprise.  Responsible for developing, collaborating, and managing policies, agreements, and other purchasing programs. Accountable for the relationship with strategic suppliers within the category.  Accountable for acting as liaison between the suppliers and BU stakeholders and managing the relationships with the stakeholders who utilize those suppliers.  

Leadership - This individual will provide direction for an Agency worker whose focus is to assist in the implementation of contractual documents and the supplier relationship management program for the FPMS team.  Will also provide leadership for strategic sourcing initiatives and lead sourcing decisions – qualified supply network, business continuity, supplier risk management – capacity & financial, logistics, contractual management, supplier commercial negotiations, cost/spend management – supplier on boarding / off boarding, and resource management decisions. Lead continuous improvement initiatives and synergies activities within Indirect Purchasing (GFSD). Demonstrate leadership in recognizing the potential for cost reductions, quality improvement, and soundness of business proposals and risk assessment. Promote the highest level of professionalism and business ethics.

Legal – Draft, negotiate, and execute contractual documents including but not limited to Master Service Agreements, Amendments, Schedules / Statements of Work, Change Orders, and other documents. Responsible for work delivery of Agency worker in this area.

Strategy - Develop an understanding of the current performance of the supply base, evaluate strategic options, decide a course of action, and begin implementation. Maintain an awareness of category trends and thought leadership, contributing to global category strategies.

Customers - The role will encompass primarily managing suppliers delivering non-integrated facility and process maintenance services at Caterpillar facilities. Typical internal customers include contacts at all organizational levels within a Business Unit and Facility. The incumbent solves problems by determining the best course of action using Purchasing Practices as a guideline. 

Supplier Development - Collaborate with Procurement leadership, Category Manager, Facility personnel and Business Unit leadership to ensure continuous improvement in QCLDM with key suppliers. Build and foster mutually beneficial supplier relationships across Caterpillar.

What You Will Have:

• Education: Undergraduate degree from a college or university

Candidates will have gained the following skills and experience through previous roles:

• Managing Multiple Priorities: Knowledge of effective self-management practices; ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments as to prioritizing and time allocation.
• 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.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills:  Strong interpersonal skills when dealing with sensitive issues, developing others, and reaching consensus on specific actions
• Management and optimization of supplier performance:  Manage and optimize supplier performance including contract compliance, continuous improvement, innovations, and reduction in total cost of ownership.

Top Candidates Will Also Have:

• Self-starter, able to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment
• Deep understanding of business and strategy planning and overall understanding of category management
• Maintain knowledge of indirect category trends, supplier capabilities and changes within the category landscape for traditional and emerging solutions
• Strong project management skills – familiar with scope definition, task tracking, stakeholder updates, etc.
• Functional leadership - capable of leading teams, suppliers, and internal partners to effective solutions 
• Strong negotiator, able to interpret, analyze, and negotiate contractual cost/commercial elements

Additional Info:

• This position will be located in Peoria, IL
• This role is a full time, hybrid position and currently requires 3 days a week in office
• Domestic relocation assistance is available for those who qualify
• Sponsorship is not available
• International (Mexico) and Domestic travel up to 20%

Summary Pay Range:

$123,480.00 - $185,280.00

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar. 

Benefits:

Annual incentive bonus plan*

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holiday, Volunteer, Etc.)

401k savings plan

Health savings account (HSA)

Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)

Disability benefits

Life Insurance

Parental leave

Healthy Lifestyle Programs

Employee Assistance Programs

Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts

Tuition Reimbursement

Career Development

*Subject to annual eligibility and incentive plan guidelines .

Relocation is available for this position.Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. This employer is not currently hiring foreign national applicants that require or will require sponsorship tied to a specific employer, such as, H, L, TN, F, J, E, O. As a global company, Caterpillar offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S which can be found through our employment website at www.caterpillar.com/careers.

Posting Dates:

December 12, 2024 - January 6, 2025

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.     

EEO/AA Employer.  All qualified individuals - Including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities - are encouraged to apply.

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