Buyer/procurement Specislist

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.Job PurposeThis position is responsible for day-to-day and strategic supplier management including, but not limited to: purchase order placement, follow-up, issue resolution; communication of demand and forecasts; preparing contracts; acting as the lead negotiator providing solutions to a wide range of issues; developing commercial strategies for product and/or service contracts; managing supplier relationships and performance metrics; communicating and mitigating risk that could impact Solar’s ability to meet the business plan. DimensionsSpend & Contractual Commitments: Generally greater than $50MPeople: This position supports multiple internal business groups, leads cross functional interactions, and provides back-up coverage for other Buyers and Sourcing Specialists.Leadership: Is a Technical Lead in the role and acts as coach/mentor in the area of world-class procurement and tools. Leads 6-Sigma and/or cross functional teams.Suppliers: Can be Sole, Single, Dual, 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 Power: Works with suppliers across the spectrum (Buyer, Neutral, Seller).Nature and ScopeThis 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 Procurement Specialist may manage relationships of some non-strategic suppliers, but will predominately oversee strategic or complex suppliers. This individual has no direct reports, but work 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 not only participate on but lead projects from conception to maturity that directly support organizational objectives.The primary functions of the job include but are not limited to:Supply Chain Management- Applies advanced Supply Chain knowledge to manage processes, establish policies, and develop value-adding strategies.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 meets audit, regulatory, and legal standards.Has the ability to lead a team, provides direction, and coaches less experienced staff members.Contract Management- Leads agreements on complex, high value contracts, and resolves issues. Develops and implements solutions to improve contract compliance. Proactively identifies issues during and after contract completion and manages resolution.Develops standard written agreements for development requirements.Works closely with users defining supplier performance measurements and reporting frameworks.Manages the transition process when changing contracted suppliers.Negotiation- Creates negotiation strategies based on thorough knowledge of business requirements.Communicates negotiation strategies and parameters to negotiating team and defines roles.Able to ethically execute negotiation strategy for moderate criticality/complexity items displaying varied negotiation techniques to achieve best results.Identifies and resolves areas of risk.Supplier Selection & Management- Integral part of supplier selection process and managing the relationships of existing suppliers.Manages relationship of moderate to high complex suppliers.Provides mentorship in establishing continuous improvement plans to achieve mutual benefits.Cost Management- Applies business strategies to daily activities, contributes to make-buy decisions, identifies market opportunities, gaps and trends.Understands, applies and coaches others in building and analyzing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) models.Purchasing Execution- Resolves high complexity purchasing related grief issues with mínimal assistance.Develops, recommends, a