Category Buyer

Job Description :

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

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.

Role Definition

Provides supply network solutions expertise, using Quality, Cost, Logistics, Development, and Management (QCLDM) to deliver maximum value.

This position is a Category Buyer for procurement of Enterprise Marketing Services in North America. This role is accountable for executing the procurement strategy, managing supplier performance, relationships, and agreements / contracts for Enterprise Marketing Services category.

Responsibilities

• Developing, managing and executing the Enterprise Marketing category strategy managing policies, agreements, source catalogs, and special procurement programs.
• Manage Enterprise Marketing category strategy for North America
• Recognizing the potential for cost decreases 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
• Ensure supplier capabilities and relationships are kept up to date
• Conducts reliable analysis, utilizing Excel skills
• Manages day-to-day Marketing supplier relationship activities
• Supports risk and compliance program management
• Conducts supply market analysis
• Executes sourcing plan projects independently
• Tracks procurement performance metrics
• Demonstrates strong knowledge of negotiation tools / techniques and applies them regularly when given opportunities
• Demonstrates deep expertise in Enterprise Marketing Services category
• Documenting the suppliers' performance on time sensitiveness; maintains a strong relationship with suppliers and internal customers

Qualifications Requirement

• Desired degree or equivalent work experience required.
• 5 years of experience with demonstrated success of managing projects

Related Skills and Experience

Data Analytics - Extensive Experience - Advises stakeholders on the relationship between financial, performance, and operational data;

anticipates operational challenges of data collection and its integration with decision-making.

• 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.
• Negotiating - Extensive Experience -Ensures negotiators have awareness of complementary yet diverse interests; successfully completes significant negotiations, both internal and external.

Identifies similarities and differences in position and assesses impact on discussions. Successfully completes significant negotiations, both internal and external.

Contracts Management and Administration - Working Knowledge - 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.

Purchasing Tasks and Activities - Working Knowledge - Knowledge of policies, regulations, and processes of purchasing;

ability to use practices and procedures for procurement of materials, components, equipment, and services. Ability to coordinate multiple projects and multitask.

Advises stakeholders on the relationship between financial, performance, and operational data used in business data analytics.

Supplier Relationship Management - Extensive Experience - Knowledge of supplier relationship management concept and strategies;

ability to address critical issues to meet supplier needs and maintain engaged, partnering relationship with suppliers.

Interpersonal Relationships : Knowledge of the techniques and the ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner.

Experience in managing supplier relationships and conducting negotiations. Adapts interaction style to situations and people.

Demonstrates an understanding of alternative points of view. Understands impact of interactions with individuals and groups.

Indirect Procurement Process - Experience working in NextGen, SIA, and DocuSign as well as understanding of indirect purchasing standards, processes, projects, cost savings, etc.

Participates in enhancing 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.