Category Buyer

**Career Area**:All Job Families**:
**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 Construction Industries (CI) division has a new opening for a Buyer reporting to the Procurement Manager and will manage the Quality, Cost, Logistics, Development, and Management of the supply base globally for glass components, wipers, mirrors, windows, visors, and frames. The role will be responsible maintaining the assurance of supply for a specific list of suppliers globally, which have been identified as a strategic priority for CI. The Buyer will be part of diverse team providing guidance & support on the execution of the projects and help remove project barriers as they arise.

This role will coordinate information flow between multiple workgroups including category, supply chain, engineering, product group, cross vertical teams, and report this in a concise manner at a leadership level. This individual will drive a continuous lean improvement process to identify, report, track, and action where applicable on key assurance of supply issues.

**Specifically, as an CI Buyer, you can expect to**:

- Execute and develop a strategic sourcing plan for a family of parts.
- Negotiate with facts and data on supplier pricing issues.
- Manage professional business relationships with suppliers and internal customers.
- Update supply statuses of critical part numbers to the CI product list.
- Coordinate Control Towers on critical assurance of supply risks.
- Perform rapid escalation of recovery and shipping roadblocks.
- Track execution of Interim corrective action (ICA)/Permanent corrective action (PCA) improvement plans.

**To be successful in this role, you must be proficient with the following**:
**Data Analytics**: Anticipates operational challenges of data collection and its integration with decision-making.

**Effective Communications**: Adapts documents and presentations for the intended audience. Communicates well downward, upward, and outward. Employs appropriate methods of persuasion when soliciting agreement.

**Interpersonal Relationships**:Identifies roles and responsibilities for self and others. Demonstrates an understanding of alternative points of view. Collaborates with departmental associates and management.

**Negotiating**:Successfully completes significant negotiations, both internal and external. Details the risks of negotiation breakdown from each party's perspective. Protects own position, while demonstrating willingness to achieve win-win. Identifies similarities and differences in position and assesses impact on discussions. Detects and addresses lack of progress or a stalemate.

**Contracts Management and Administration**: Administers global contracts for the department. Implements organizational protocols and procedures for contracts management.

**Purchasing Tasks and Activities**: Uses available procurement systems and tools. Ensures compliance with procurement regulations and contract specifications. Works with basic purchasing related tasks and activities.

**Supplier Relationship Management**:Builds consensus, resolves conflicts, and applies techniques to achieve influence and impact results with different suppliers in the organization's supplier network. Conducts periodic reviews of work effort, progress, issues, and successes in supplier relationship establishment and management.

**Degree Requirement**: Degree or equivalent experience desired.
- Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Business, Supply Chain, Marketing, or Engineering
- Well-developed interpersonal skills are required in dealing with sensitive issues, developing others, and reaching consensus on specific actions.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategy.
- Effective communicator, in written and oral form.
- Understanding of company policies and procedures related to manufacturing, engineering, and/or procurement.

**Additional Info**:

- 25% international and domestic travel.
- Visa sponsorship is **not available **for this position.

**Final Details**:
**The Caterpillar Code of Conduct states that we will select, and place employees based on their qualifications for the job to be performed, without regard to race, religion, national origin, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age or disability. In this company we do not request pregnancy tests, nor HIV tests as requirements for employment entry, permanence or promotion.**

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO).

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