Career Area:Procurement
Job Description:Role DefinitionWe are seeking a Category Buyer. This person will provide supply network solutions expertise, using Quality, Cost, Logistics, Development, and Management (QCLDM) to deliver maximum value.
What You Will Do:- 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.
Degree RequirementDegree or equivalent experience desired
What You Will Have: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.
Level Working Knowledge:
- Works to achieve win-win in negotiations, rather than taking a win-lose approach.
- Focuses on issues rather than personalities.
- Uses active listening and probing techniques to surface problems, issues, and interests.
- Demonstrates a willingness to examine own position.
- Presents own position and listens attentively to position of others.
Contracts Management and Administration: Knowledge of policies, standards and processes of how to manage and administer contracts; ability to use proper processes and practices for managing and administering a variety of contractual agreements.
Level Working Knowledge:
- Administers locally relevant contracts for the department.
- Implements organizational protocols and procedures for contracts management.
- Explains the types of information required before a contract is signed.
- Reviews contracts to ensure compliance with contract specifications and regulations.
- Assists in creating files of relevant information for specific vendors, customers, or contracts.
Purchasing Tasks and Activities: Knowledge of policies, regulations and processes of purchasing; ability to use practices and procedures for procurement of materials, components, equipment and services.
Level Working Knowledge:
- Records documents of purchasing tasks and activities, such as orders, bidding.
- Uses available procurement systems and tools.
- Ensures compliance with procurement regulations and contract specifications.
- Works with basic purchasing related tasks and activities.
- Adheres to various requirements and steps of the procurement process.
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.
Level Working Knowledge:
- Adheres to organizational policies and codes for supplier relationship management.
- Communicates with suppliers about contract preparation and negotiation.
- Documents and analyzes problems and challenges in supplier relationship establishment and management.
- Monitors satisfaction levels of the organization's important suppliers on a regular basis.
- Works with different external suppliers to address critical issues and resolves major problems for implementing supplier relationship management practices.
Strategic Sourcing: Knowledge of strategic sourcing methods, technologies and processes; ability to analyze, improve and re-evaluate organizational procurement process continuously.
Level Working Knowledge:
- Works with various basic components of strategic sourcing, such as data analysis, market research and purchasing budgets examination.
- Participates in enhancing institutional sourcing process continuously including identifying improvement opportunities.
- Conducts strategic sourcing activities in a limited environment.
- Follows relevant standards, policies and practices regarding strategic sourcing.
- Assists senior sourcing professionals with strategic sourcing in multiple environments.
Additional Information:
- Relocation is not available
- Sponsorship is not available
Summary Pay Range:$97,530.00 - $146,290.00
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
Posting Dates:August 19, 2026 - September 1, 2026
Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.
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