Procurement Specialist

Career Area:

Procurement

Job Description:

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you’rejoining 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’tjust 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.

This position is responsible for day-to-day and strategic supplier management including, but not limited to: purchase order placement, follow-up, issue resolution; communication of demand and forecasts; preparing contracts; acting as the lead negotiator providing solutions to a wide range of issues; developing commercial strategies for product and/or service contracts; managing supplier relationships and performance metrics; communicating and mitigating risk that could impact Solar’s ability to meet the business plan.

This position acts with a sense of urgency and is diligent in providing timely support to internal and external customers. This individual operates in compliance with corporate and Supply Chain policies and procedures. A Procurement Specialist may manage relationships of some non-strategic suppliers but will predominately oversee strategic or complex suppliers. This individual has no direct reports but work within a team structure typically including a Sourcing Specialist, Supply Chain Coordinator/Planner, Supplier Technical Engineer, Supplier Development Engineer, and reports directly to a Site Sourcing Manager or Supply Chain Manager.

There is an expectation to not only participate on but lead projects from conception to maturity that directly support organizational objectives.

• Continuously practices and demonstrates Safety and acting in adherence to Our Values in Action.

• Effectively evaluates, improves, and sustains supplier performance, including but not limited to:
  Quality, Cost, Delivery, Lead-time, Bid & Proposal Turn-times, Project & Field Support, etc.

• Drives cost management through identifying and implementing opportunities for cost reduction, utilizes cost modeling techniques, and analyzing TCO to ensure the best overall value to Solar.

• Manages and maintains the Supplier relationship at a day-to-day and strategic level. Day-to-day activities include purchase order issuance and maintenance, grief resolution, and business review meetings. Strategic activities include working with the Supply Chain Leadership and/or Sourcing Specialist to define the buyer-supplier relationship that determines as well as executes the strategic direction (Hold, Grow, Consolidate, Exit).

• Develops a network that allows the Senior Buyer to leverage internal and external relationships to continuously improve responsiveness & service levels.

• Leads commercial negotiations and is accountable for contract execution and maintenance (NDA’s, GP’s, PSAs, JDAs, etc).

• Initiates and promotes cross functional teaming in Supplier development, problem resolution, and continuous improvement efforts.

• Supports NPI, global strategic sourcing, and Supplier selection to ensure flexible capacity and consistent supply from qualified suppliers to support business objectives.

• Interpersonal and Analytical Skills

• Well-developed interpersonal skills are required in dealing with sensitive issues and reaching consensus on specific actions.

• Capability to influence and persuade Suppliers and internal clients to effective solutions.

• The position requires a Bachelor’s degree with 5-7 years of experience

• Commercial experience, supplier management and contract negotiation

• Experience with ERP software and proficient with MS Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Visio)

• Fluent in Business English in written and oral form

• Master’s Degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain or other related field.

• Supply Chain Certification from a professional institution (APICS, IIPMR, ISCEA, ISM, etc)

• Understanding and demonstration of…