Category Buyer

Caterpillar Inc.•Mossville, IL

1d•$97,530 - $146,290

About The Position

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. Role Definition This role provides supply network solutions expertise across tube fittings and adapters, supporting a global supply base spanning India and the Americas. Using the QCLDM framework (Quality, Cost, Logistics, Development, and Management), the position delivers maximum value by balancing supplier performance, cost competitiveness, and long term capability development while working closely with product groups and internal stakeholders. This is a strategic, non-transactional role focused on managing and developing key suppliers rather than day today ordering or expediting. You’ll address systemic supplier issues, support recovery efforts when performance gaps arise, and lead discussions to resolve quality, delivery, or capacity challenges at supplier facilities. While site purchasing teams and analysts handle most transactional activities, this role steps in to organize cross functional meetings, drive corrective actions, and ensure suppliers are positioned to meet business needs. You’ll operate in a highly collaborative environment with exposure to upper level project management and regular interaction with purchasing leadership. The role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage a large and varied workload while following through on commitments. Success in this position comes from building strong supplier relationships, presenting clearly to management, and proactively developing suppliers to support long-term business objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years’ experience in the Procurement or related space or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience is preferred in purchasing, logistics, manufacturing, supply chain and/or engineering.
Exceptional communication and presentation skills, including crafting visually compelling materials for executive audiences.
Strong relationship-building and influence skills, with experience engaging senior leaders and global suppliers to advance business goals.
Experience negotiating traditional and non-traditional contracts with both US domestic and international suppliers.
Expertise in contract negotiation (traditional and non-traditional), with both domestic and international suppliers.
Data Analytics: Knowledge of techniques and processes for inspecting, cleansing, transforming, and modeling data; ability to discover useful information, draw logical conclusions, and support decision-making.
Interpersonal Relationships: Knowledge of the techniques and the ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner.
Negotiating: Knowledge of successful negotiation concepts and techniques; ability to negotiate successfully across the organization and with external vendors and clients in a constructive and collaborative manner.
Supplier Relationship Management: Knowledge of supplier relationship management concept and strategies; ability to address critical issues to meet supplier needs and maintain engaged, partnering relationship with suppliers.
Strategic Sourcing: Knowledge of strategic sourcing methods, technologies and processes; ability to analyze, improve and re-evaluate organizational procurement process continuously.

Nice To Haves

Professional certification in Purchasing and/or Inventory Management preferred.

Responsibilities

Developing, managing and executing the category strategy managing policies, agreements, source catalogs, and special procurement programs.
Recognizing the potential for cost decreases, inventory reductions and quality improvement, as well as responsibility for soundness of business proposals and risk assessment.
Acting as the liaison between the organization and the supplier to communicate information explicitly, while considering production demands and suppliers' conditions.
Documenting the suppliers' performance on time sensitiveness and production; maintains a strong relationship with suppliers.