Sr. 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.

Position Objective

A maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) buyer is responsible for processing requisitions, requests for quotes, preparation and issuance of purchase orders for products and services to support internal and external customers. This position will cover day-to-day and strategic supplier management including, but not limited to: developing, maintaining, and investigating potential new suppliers, purchase order placement, follow-up, issue resolution; preparing contracts; negotiating contract terms; managing supplier relationships and performance metrics; facilitating communications; and mitigating risk that could impact Solar’s ability to meet the business plan.

Dimensions
- Annual Spend & Contractual Commitments: Typically between $1M-4M
- People: This position supports multiple internal business groups, engages in cross functional interactions, and provides back-up coverage for other Buyers.
- Primary coverage: USA & Mexico
- Secondary coverage: Canada, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Trinidad & Tobago.
- Leadership: Experienced in the role and can act as a coach/mentor in the areas of world-class procurement.
- Suppliers: Can be Sole, Single, Dual, or Multiple source. Can provide direct and/or indirect goods & services and could involve Third Party Intermediaries (TPIs).
- Buyer-Supplier Relationships: Arms-Length, Preferred Suppliers, Partnerships, Strategic Alliances.
- Supplier Complexity & Risk: Works with suppliers that fall within the following Portfolio Analysis categories: Acquisition, Leverage, Critical, Strategic.
- Balance of Plant: Works with suppliers across the spectrum (Buyer, Neutral, Seller).

Key Responsibilities
- Actively participate in review meetings.
- Expedite/follow up on requirements as necessary.
- Analyze supplier quotations and award purchase orders/contracts.
- Ensure timely delivery of acceptable quality goods and services.
- Identify, plan, and develop projects which reflect continuous improvement and offer cost savings to the division.
- Establish and maintain a high level of communication and effective working relationships with suppliers and peers.
- Complies with relevant Quality and Environmental programs (ISO9001, 14001 & 45001)
- Complies with all Health and Safety programs. Follows and ensures Company procedures regarding safety rules and regulations are followed.
- Conducts themselves in a professional manner Maintain document control of purchase orders to ensure audit trails are in place and meet financial and procedural requirements.
- Maintains vendor and product information files.
- Maintain up to date service contracts and records.
- Maintain up to date purchasing files.
- Review service contracts, rental and maintenance agreements, renegotiate, award and/or renew as required.
- Reconcile variances between purchase orders and invoices

Nature and Scope

This position acts with a sense of urgency and is diligent in providing timely support to internal clients and external customers. This individual operates in compliance with corporate and Supply Chain policies and procedures. A Senior Buyer will manage relationships with non-strategic suppliers as well as critically strategic or complex suppliers. This position may be located centrally or in regional offices. This individual has no direct reports but works within a team structure typically including a Sourcing Specialist, Supply Chain Coordinator/Planner, Supplier Technical Engineer, Supplier Development Engineer, and reports directly to a Site Sourcing Manager or Supply Chain Manager. There is an expectation to participate in or possibly lead projects that directly support organizational objectives.

The primary functions of the job include but are not limited to:
Supply Chain Management
- Applies advanced Supply Chain concepts and performs complex analyses to develop procurement strategies ensuring supplier capacity that supports Purchase Order (PO) commitments.
- Develops and maintains relationships with internal clients and lower-level supplier executives functioning as the Supply Chain and Solar ambassador.
- Monitors and manages ownership of risk from financial, business continuation, and compliance perspectives. Ensures procurement processes meet audit, regulatory, and legal standards.
- Maintains all detailed documentation for performing the role.

Contract Management
- Develops agreements that align with sourcing strategies. Utilizes appropriate st