Category Buyer I

**Career Area**:Purchasing & Procurement**:
**Your Work Shapes the World**

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 purpose**:
Provides supply network solutions expertise, using Quality, Cost, Logistics, Development, and Management to deliver maximum value.

**Responsibilities will include, but not limited to**:

- To serve as the primary contact between Caterpillar and the supply base for global/regional initiatives, including filling the functional seat for commercial discussions/negotiations with suppliers.
- Be the recognized expert for his or her assigned portion of the global category.
- Support the development and execution of global category strategies, and drives performance excellence in Quality, Cost, Logistics, Development, and Management through direct leverage with the supply base partnering with Supplier Development Professional personnel and Product/Facility Procurement organizations.
- Supplier Lead for suppliers with multiple source buyers. This will help manage the supplier relationship for that supplier’s location including but not limited to Supplier Relationship Management, Supplier Performance Management, Cost Management, Risk Management and Category Network Management.
- Responsible and accountable for the development, and/or communication and implementation of a regional, and worldwide sourcing strategy.
- Responsible for development, management and execution of the global category strategy managing policies, agreements, source catalogs, and special procurement programs.
- Accountable for the liaison with the corresponding source buyers.
- Provide leadership for strategic sourcing - qualified supply network, business continuity, supplier risk management - capacity & financial, logistics, contract management, supplier commercial negotiations, cost/spend management - TCA assurance, supplier on boarding/off boarding, lead/response time optimization and resource management decisions.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives and purchasing new product introduction activities within Purchasing.
- Demonstrate leadership in recognizing the potential for cost and inventory reductions, and quality improvement, as well as responsibility for soundness of business proposals and risk assessment.
- Mentor and develop other Category Buyers, SDEs, and Supply Network Specialists (where assigned). Promote the highest level of professionalism and business ethics.
- Collaborate with Supplier Development Engineers to ensure continuous improvement in QCLDM with key suppliers.
- Build and foster mutually beneficial supplier relationships at all organizational levels.

**Minimum job requirements**:

- A completed qualification in Procurement or Supply Chain Management.
- Experience in purchasing, logistics, manufacturing, and/or engineering is preferred.
- A minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible job-related experience.
- Professional certification in Purchasing and/or Inventory Management preferred.
- Lean Six Sigma Certification will be an added advantage.

**Skills and attributes**
- Well-developed interpersonal skills.
- Functional leadership skills.
- Analytical, problem solving, and project leadership skill.
- Effective communications skills.
- Understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles as applied by Caterpillar and our suppliers.
- Strong Negotiation skills.
- Understanding of QCLDM.

**_Additional Information:_****:

- Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, colour, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. _
- Caterpillar is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation. For more information, visit _
- Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. _

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO).

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