Caterpillar, Inc

Associate Procurement Professional

Caterpillar, Inc$81K — $122K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience desired
  • Strong data analysis and presentation skills
  • Proficiency in project management methodologies
  • Experience with procurement systems and processes
  • Effective communication skills, both verbal and written
  • Competency in problem-solving through analytical thinking
  • Knowledge of logistics management principles

Responsibilities

  • Process requisitions and assist in purchasing activities
  • Conduct data analysis and present findings to leadership
  • Support cost reduction initiatives and supply assurance efforts
  • Assist in supplier issue resolution and price management
  • Contribute to various procurement and strategic sourcing projects
  • Develop improvement plans to enhance operational efficiency
  • Perform analytical and administrative tasks for strategic initiatives

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits
  • Paid time off including vacation, holidays, and volunteer days
  • 401(k) savings plans
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Health Lifestyle Programs
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts
  • Career Development opportunities
  • Incentive bonus
  • Disability and Life Insurance
  • Parental leave and Adoption benefits
  • Tuition Reimbursement
Full Job Description
Career Area:
Procurement

Job Description:

As an Associate Procurement Professional, you will process requisitions and provide support for purchasing, supply chain, sourcing, cost and price analysis, and contract/purchase order generation. This position supports the U.S.-based Unformed Steel Procurement team by conducting data analysis, developing charts and presentations, presenting findings to leadership, leading cost reduction and assurance of supply initiatives, and supporting daily procurement activities such as supplier issue resolution and price management. The role will also contribute to a variety of procurement and strategic sourcing projects as needed.

What You Will Do:
• Developing improvement plans to support buyers & professionals related to Response Time, Lean Targets Quality, Cost, Logistics, Development, and Management (QCLDM) to enable optimal and efficient operations.
• Performing analysis and maintenance of assigned processes that produce output excellence, builds expertise for the assign process area, and contributing to continuous improvement efforts.
• Supporting customers and customer proposal efforts with pricing information and supplier selection.
• Performing analytical and administrative tasks in support of purchasing strategic initiatives.

Education Requirement:

Degree or equivalent experience desired

What Skills You Will Have:

Data-driven Decision Making:
• Apply an assigned technique for data-driven thinking in a Decision-Making process.
• Discern between "signal" and "noise" when interpreting data.
• Identify, obtain, and organize relevant data and ideas.
• Participate in the process of choosing KPIs and metrics to influence decisions.
• Utilize the basic data collection and evaluation tools and techniques.

Analytical Thinking:
• Name specific tools or techniques that can be used to support the analytical thinking process.
• Ability to describe specific software applications or products used for business analytics.
• Provide examples of how analytical thinking has been used to resolve problems.
• Help others research and learn more about business analytics tools and applications.

Effective Communications:
• Deliver helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors without offending the recipient.
• Ability to listen to feedback without defensiveness and uses it for own communication effectiveness.
• Make oral presentations and writes reports needed for own work.
• Avoid technical jargon when inappropriate.
• Look for and considers non-verbal cues from individuals and groups.

Project Management:
• Provide input for Gantt or PERT charts or their equivalent to track project progress and status.
• Under guidance, plans and estimates simple projects.
• Assist in detailed project plans including cost, schedule, and resource requirements.
• Obtain information from stakeholders during the planning stage of a project.
• Produce standard project status reports.

Procurement:
• Identify the major steps and critical paths in a purchasing cycle.
• Explain the basic concepts and responsibilities of institutional purchasing.
• Describe the major types of materials, products or services purchased by the organization.
• Identify the basic tools used for maintaining procurement information and records.

Knowledge of a Specific Procurement System:
• Use the system to process routine purchase orders and payments.
• Communicate with professionals to understand various procedures for a specific procurement system within the organization.
• Troubleshoot common applications or data problems for a specific procurement system.
• Use software to monitor the status and shipment of orders.
• Maintain inspection records, photographs, and important documentation of procurement system.

Purchasing Tasks and Activities:
• Identify the basic tools used for maintaining procurement information.
• Identify major types of products or services purchased by the organization.
• Explain the basic concepts and responsibilities of purchasing tasks and activities.
• Describe established procurement processes and standards.

Logistics Management:
• Use tools, with guidance, to forecast delivery times, determine costs and assess performance.
• Work with logistics in a domestic environment.
• Maintain records of all shipments and invoices using an established system.
• Assist in the development of process flows to track lead time by activity.
• Participate in integrating logistics processes and developing effective networks.

Additional Information:

The location for this position is Mossville, IL. with a requirement to work on-site full-time at a Caterpillar facility.

No Travel Required.

Domestic relocation assistance not available at this time.
Sponsorship is not available.

Posting Date: 8/6/2026 - 8/13/2026

Summary Pay Range:

$81,370.00 - $122,060.00

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.

Benefits:

Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.
  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits*
  • Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*
  • 401(k) savings plans*
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)*
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*
  • Health Lifestyle Programs*
  • Employee Assistance Program*
  • Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*
  • Career Development*
  • Incentive bonus*
  • Disability benefits
  • Life Insurance
  • Parental leave
  • Adoption benefits
  • Tuition Reimbursement


* These benefits also apply to part-time employees

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates:

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.

About Caterpillar, Inc

Progress Rail Services Corporation, a Caterpillar company, is one of the largest integrated and diversified suppliers of railroad and transit system products and services worldwide. Since its acquisition by Caterpillar Inc. in 2006, Progress Rail has used the Caterpillar international footprint to gain quick and widespread notice and approval across the globe. Product technology, reliability and durability, along with legendary aftermarket parts and service support, have been their keys to success. Caterpillar is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. The technology and world reach of Caterpillar, combined with the service standard and historical reliability of Progress Rail, ensures their products and services make a growing impact on the world rail industry. With their acquisition of Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD), Progress Rail is the world's largest builder of diesel-electric locomotives for all commercial railroad applications including freight, intercity passenger, commuter, switching, industrial and mining. EMD is also a global provider of diesel power engines for marine propulsion, offshore and land based oil well drilling rigs and stationary power generation. Electro-Motive is the only diesel engine manufacturer of its size to have produced more than 70,000 engines. This success stems from product reliability, serviceability, load acceptance capability, low operating costs and ease of maintenance with standardized components.

Caterpillar, Inc. Careers

Join the robust team at Caterpillar, Inc., a global leader in construction and mining equipment, where innovation drives everything we do. As part of our team, you'll engage in work that improves the world and furthers your career with every project you touch.

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Prepare for Your Interview

Make a great first impression. Prepare for your interview at Caterpillar by reviewing common questions and practicing your responses. Tailor your resume to highlight the experiences and skills that make you the ideal candidate for the position you are applying for. At Caterpillar, Inc., every role offers the chance to make an impact. Come be a part of our team and drive the future of our global industries. Your career at Caterpillar is not just about what you'll accomplish, but how you'll grow and the innovation you'll lead. Join us and build a career that matters.
Learn more about Caterpillar, Inc
Size
107,700 employees
Market Cap
$125.3 billion
Industry
Net Income
$2.9 billion
Founded
1925
5 Year Trend
+5.8%
Revenue
$41.7 billion
NASDAQ

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