Caterpillar, Inc

Senior Category Buyer

Caterpillar, Inc$128K — $192K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent experience
  • Purchasing or procurement experience in roles like Buyer or Supplier Development Engineer
  • Familiarity with strategic sourcing and contract analysis
  • Proficiency in purchasing systems such as SAP or Lognet
  • Knowledge of LEAN/Six Sigma and manufacturing principles

Responsibilities

  • Establish and execute a sourcing strategy to optimize supply costs
  • Lead negotiations with suppliers for continuous cost improvements
  • Drive QCLDM performance excellence in the supply base
  • Manage source matrices for designated categories
  • Identify and select suppliers aligned with strategic sourcing goals
  • Foster relationships with suppliers to ensure capability and capacity
  • Mentor Supply Network Specialists where assigned

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits
  • Paid time off including vacation and holidays
  • 401(k) savings plan with employer match
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) options
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Career development opportunities
  • Incentive bonuses based on performance
  • Tuition reimbursement for educational advancement
Full Job Description
Career Area:
Procurement

Job Description:

Caterpillar's Construction Industries Supply Management division is hiring for a Senior CategoryBuyer in Peoria, IL!

Role Summary: In this role, you will be responsible to establish and execute a sourcing strategy, optimize total cost of supply, and drive world class supplier performance following the QCLDM framework.

What You'll Do (Job Duties)
  • Lead commercial discussions and negotiations with the responsible supply base to drive continuous cost improvement
  • Drive performance excellence in Quality, Cost, Logistics, Development, and Management (QCLDM) of the responsible supply base
  • Manage source matrices for Category
  • Negotiate purchasing agreements with responsible supply base
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives and purchasing new production introduction activities
  • Identify and select suppliers based on strategic sourcing principles, QCLDM, and total cost of ownership
  • Build and foster relationships with suppliers
  • Develop supply base to have the right capabilities and capacity to meet Enterprise growth targets, including onboarding and offboarding suppliers as needed
  • Interface with product groups to ensure alignment of strategies and ensure customer requirements are being met
  • Mentor Supply Network Specialists (where assigned)

    Degree Requirement
    Bachelor's degree in related fields or equivalent experience desired


What You Have (Core Skills)
  • Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.


Top Candidates Will Also Have
  • Purchasing or procurement experience as a Purchasing Analyst/Supply Network Specialist, Buyer, Supplier Development Engineer (SDE), Facility Buyer, Product Supply NPI Lead or similar role.
  • Experience with strategic sourcing, collaborating with external suppliers, interpreting and analyzing contracts, purchasing systems (ie: SAP, lognet)
  • Familiar with quality, cost modeling and NPI tools, fact-based negotiation, LEAN/Six Sigma, or manufacturing principles, and external factors that influence a supply base


Additional Details
  • Work location: Peoria AB
  • Domestic relocation assistance is not available for this role
  • Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this role.
  • Travel: 25% domestic and international
  • This position requires 5 days per week in the office (M-F)


Summary Pay Range:

$128,470.00 - $192,710.00

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:
July 23, 2026 - August 6, 2026

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.

Work You’ll Do

At Caterpillar, Inc., you will have the opportunity to contribute to a variety of groundbreaking projects that extend across the globe. Our commitment to leadership in the industry is unwavering, and we achieve it through a culture that fosters diversity and leadership development.

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Caterpillar offers a wide range of job opportunities and career paths, providing a platform for professional growth and development. Whether you're interested in engineering, sales, marketing, or management, Caterpillar has a position that will utilize your unique skills and talents. We are continuously hiring innovative minds to propel our mission forward and maintain our status as industry leaders.

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Choosing a career at Caterpillar means more than just having a job. It means you're part of a team that values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment. We offer competitive benefits to ensure the health and well-being of our employees and their families. These benefits include health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off, alongside unique perks like professional development and diversity training programs.

Innovation and Leadership

Drive innovation and industry leadership as part of the Caterpillar team. We empower our employees to lead from their first day on the job, encouraging continuous improvement and career advancement. At Caterpillar, your ideas will shape the future of our business and the industries we serve.

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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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