Category Buyer

Caterpillar is seeking a highly skilled Category Buyer (Electronic Components) to join the Building Construction Products Division in Clayton, NC.

Role Summary: In this position, you will be responsible for all commercial aspects of components development in support of New Product Introduction (NPI) programs as well as managing policies, agreements and special purchasing programs. You will also act as a liaison with the corresponding Enterprise, Site and Regional Category based procurement teams, ensuring effective execution of the category strategy.

What You’ll Do (Job Duties)

• Responsible and accountable for development and implementation of a global sourcing strategy.

• Supplier relationship management in support of Global manufacturing and Engineering development demands.

• Managing policies, agreements and special purchasing programs.

• Provide leadership for sourcing, logistics and resource management decisions.

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives and new product introduction activities within Procurement.

• Liaison with corresponding Enterprise/Regional Category Buyers

• Manage the supply phase in and phase out of product.

• Ensure supply resilience strategies are in place and executed with the global electronics supply base.

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.

• 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.

• Supplier Relationship Management: Knowledge of supplier relationship management concepts and strategies; ability to address critical issues to meet supplier needs and maintain engaged, partnering relationships with suppliers.

• Strategic Sourcing: Knowledge of strategic sourcing methods, technologies and processes; ability to analyze, improve and re-evaluate organizational procurement processes continuously.

Top Candidates Will Also Have

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (Electrical/Electronic Engineering degree preferred).

• Finely honed negotiation skills, able to interpret, analyze and negotiate contractual cost elements.

• Experience demonstrates recognized as a leader who can devise sourcing strategy and provides long-term direction and vision for a global division while setting high quality standards and delivering cost effective solutions in a timely manner to ensure customer satisfaction.

• Analytical, problem solving, and project leadership skills.

• Experience is preferred in purchasing, logistics, manufacturing, and/or engineering, specifically electronic component or system design.

• Professional certification in Purchasing and/or Inventory Management and/or MBA.

Additional Details

• Work location: Clayton, NC.

• Domestic relocation assistance is available for this role.

• Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this role.

• Travel: upto 20 to 30% domestically.

• This position requires 5 days per week in the office (M-F).