Category Buyer; Ocean Container

Career Area:
Procurement 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. At Caterpillar, we work to help our customers build a better world. Without our team of talented, bright and driven individuals, we wouldn’t be the Caterpillar we are today. Now, this is your chance to join our team and do work that matters. We want you to help us enable customer success, make progress possible around the world and help our communities grow and thrive.

We are looking for a dynamic, organized self-starter to join our Product Support and Logistics Division as a Category Buyer (Ocean Container) in Morton, IL.

• This Category Buyer will be responsible for the procurement of ocean transportation — Ocean Container (FCL) category. This is a global role that works with operations team to define business requirements and drive global and regional carrier strategy that supports overall organizational objectives. Key work activities include managing a network of global transportation providers, strategically sourcing to meet operational objectives, long term capacity, bidding process, contracts administration and driving carrier performance.

• This role is located in Morton, IL and does not offer relocation.
• This role is 1st shift.
• This role is 100% on-site with no opportunity for hybrid or remote schedules.
• This role requires up to 25% travel, primarily within North America but potentially international.

• Procure Ocean Container (FCL) freight services that meet Caterpillar’s complex global operational and procurement standard requirements, with key focus around strategic sourcing to ensure capacity, service and market price objectives are met.
• Lead global contract negotiations with transportation providers to achieve service and price that meet operational objectives and in accordance with Cat’s long-term carrier strategy.
• Work with operations to define business requirements (statements of work), capacity planning, incorporate requirements into bid tool and execute competitive bid / RFP.
• Establish service provider selection criteria and evaluate those service provider’s capabilities against these criteria.
• Work with Caterpillar’s legal services to ensure that all carrier contracts provide the Caterpillar Enterprise with appropriate legal protections.
• Act as commercial escalation for unresolved carrier issues.
• Drive carrier performance, as defined by operations, to ensure carriers are accountable for meeting service commitments.
• Track market rates using analytical tools and communicate those market trends through summary reports to appropriate management and key business units on a regular basis.
• Ensure carrier cost drivers are understood and communicated as needed.
• Work with service providers to establish quarterly / half-yearly / annual business reviews and ensure those business reviews are held with appropriate business units.
• Drive visibility of transportation rates / services through new or existing technology platforms / rate cloud.

• Experience in logistics, transportation and supply chain.
• Experience in procurement of transportation services including development and execution of complex tenders (bids) and associated tools and technology platforms development and execution of contracts as shipper or service provider.
• Proficient with transportation pricing and standards, transportation bid process (online and traditional RFP).
• Develop and educate on relevant regulatory and security policies.
• Comprehensive knowledge of transportation carrier compliance, safety and regulatory terminology.
• Data Analytics: MS Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Salesforce, or TMS systems.
• Effective Communications:
  Understanding of…