Category Buyer Ii

**Career Area**:
Procurement

**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.

**Job Summary**
Processes requisitions and provides support for purchasing, supply chain, sourcing, cost, price analyses and contract/purchase order generation.

**What you will do**
- Developing improvement plans to support buyers & professionals related to Response Time, Lean Targets Quality, Cost, Logistics, Development, and Management (QCLDM) to enable optimal and efficient operations.
- Performing analysis and maintenance of assigned processes that produce output excellence, builds expertise for the assign process area, and contributing to continuous improvement efforts.
- Supporting customers and customer proposal efforts with pricing information and supplier selection.
- Performing analytical and administrative tasks in support of purchasing strategic initiatives.

**Related Skills and Experience**
- **Data-driven Decision Making**: Knowledge of the data-driven decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to gather and analyze data to make organizational decisions that align with strategic business objectives and goals.
Level Working Knowledge:

- Applies an assigned technique for data-driven thinking in a Decision-Making process.
- Discerns between "signal" and "noise" when interpreting data.
- Identifies, obtains, and organizes relevant data and ideas.
- Participates in the process of choosing KPIs and metrics to influence decisions.
- Utilizes the basic data collection and evaluation tools and techniques.
- **Analytical Thinking**: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.
Level Working Knowledge:

- Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue and determining its significance.
- Makes a systematic comparison of two or more alternative solutions.
- Uses flow charts, Pareto charts, fish diagrams, etc. to disclose meaningful data patterns.
- Identifies the major forces, events and people impacting and impacted by the situation at hand.
- Uses logic and intuition to make inferences about the meaning of the data and arrive at conclusions.

Level Working Knowledge:

- 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.
- **Project Management**: Knowledge of 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.
Level Working Knowledge:

- Provides input for Gantt or PERT charts or their equivalent to track project progress and status.
- Under guidance, plans and estimates simple projects.
- Assists in detailed project plans including cost, schedule, and resource requirements.
- Obtains information from stakeholders during the planning stage of a project.
- Produces standard project status reports.
- **Procurement**: Knowledge of buying and procurement; ability to work with organizational strategies and practices, and use tools for buying goods, supplies, equipment and services needed to conduct business.
Level Working Knowledge:

- Works with the procurement of services, materials or equipment.
- Follows established procedures, documentation requirements and approval level requests to conduct procurement activities.
- Interprets benefits, issues and considerations of using e-procurement.
- Uses available procurement systems and tools in transactions with approved suppliers.
- Assists in reviewing the fulfillment of administrative and documentation requirements for the completion of purchase.

Level Extensive Experience:

- Improves standard processes to maximize the procurement system's efficiency and effectiveness.
- Teaches others how to use advanced technologies and tools of a specific procurement system.
- Resolves various complex procurement system problems that arise.
- Manages all procurement features and facilities for the organization.
- **Purchasing Tasks and Activities**: Knowledge of policies, regulations and processes of purchasing; ability to use practices and procedures for procurement of materials, components, equipment a