Senior Product Procurement Engineer

Job Description

When you join Caterpillar, you're part of a global team that is focused on creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don’t just talk about progress and innovation—we make it happen with our customers, wherever we work and live. We build a better world so that everyone can enjoy living in it.

Procurement

At Caterpillar, you’ll sit at the intersection of engineering, supply chain, and a global supplier network—driving cost, quality, and speed for iconic Large Wheel Loaders and Wheel Tractor Scrapers. As a Senior Product Procurement Engineer
, you’ll lead NPI & NSI execution from concept to PPAP, shape resilient value chains, and turn supplier capability into competitive advantage. If you thrive in complex manufacturing environments and love turning data, collaboration, and strategy into real product impact, this role is for you.

• Lead Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and cost management activities from concept through PPAP to deliver parts that meet quality, total cost, and timing objectives, in close partnership with cross‑functional teams including supply chain, packaging, transportation, and business resources.
• Develop and execute product supply strategies aligned with category management strategies to build a competitive advantage through a resilient, high‑performing global supply network.
• Own and manage quality feedback loops across the supply base, ensuring lessons learned from defects and issues are systematically captured, shared, and applied to drive continuous improvement.
• Drive Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VAVE) initiatives through cost modeling, design‑for‑manufacturability collaboration, and effective utilization of supplier capabilities.
• Leverage deep procurement expertise to support product groups in designing optimal, executable value chains that balance cost, quality, risk, and scalability.
• Lead and deploy complex, cross‑functional projects—including New Product Introduction (NPI) execution—to ensure product group targets for performance, cost, and timing are met.
• Serve as a key contributor to NPI strategy and execution, guiding teams through sourcing decisions, trade‑offs, and escalations in high‑impact, fast‑paced environments.

This role puts you at the heart of major product launches, leading NPI and sourcing decisions that impact cost, quality, and supply strategy. You’ll partner across engineering, supply chain, and supplier leadership to solve complex challenges, guide key trade‑offs, and influence stakeholders to deliver successful launches.

• Supply Chain Management:
  End‑to‑end supply chain strategy expertise across complex organizations, with proven capability to design, implement, and optimize processes, tools, and governance models.
• Strategic Sourcing:
  Extensive experience driving sourcing initiatives, continuously improving procurement processes, and guiding organizations through cost, supplier capability, risk, and long‑term business trade‑offs.
• Effective Communications:
  Advanced communication skills developed through cross‑functional and executive engagement, with a track record of influencing decisions and translating complex technical and commercial topics into actionable insights.
• Supplier Management (MFG):
  Leadership in managing strategic manufacturing suppliers, resolving escalations, driving continuous improvement, and influencing quality, delivery, cost, and capacity outcomes.
• Data‑Driven Decision Making:
  Ability to leverage data and advanced analytical tools to inform high‑impact business decisions, evaluate risk and opportunity, and make recommendations aligned with long‑term strategy.
• Analytical Thinking:
  Advanced analytical expertise applied to complex, ambiguous business challenges, with a record of identifying root causes and guiding teams through structured problem‑solving.
• Interpersonal Relationships:
  Strong collaborative skills, built across functions, cultures, and levels, with the ability to build trust and lead through partnership in fast‑paced, matrixed environments.
• Cost‑Benefit Analysis:
  Experi…