Category Buyer (Packaging)

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 (Packaging) in Morton IL.

The  Product Support and Logistics Division (PSLD) is one of the most innovative divisions within Caterpillar. In PSLD, as within all of Caterpillar, our priority is our customers and helping them build a better world. We touch nearly every element of the services value stream from procurement to design and manufacturing to distribution. PSLD is responsible for Aftermarket Parts Distribution of Cat Parts, Integrated Logistics, segment Procurement and the design and manufacture of Wear Components (Undercarriage and GET) and Maintenance Components (Seals, Tubes & Hardware, Hose & Couplings, Fluids and Filters).

We’re  committed  to our customers, who build a better world with our products, services and solutions. We understand and show the value of why they should always choose us. We’re exploring new ideas and opportunities – innovating  to discover the breakthroughs necessary for tomorrow’s growth.

Through it all, we are  one team – creating and delivering world-class components and solutions superior to the competition.

Learn more about the  Caterpillar Experience .

Job Summary

• This Category Buyer role is responsible for the procurement of Packaging .  Reporting directly to the Category Manager, this role will work with operational and packaging solutions teams to define business requirements and drive global strategy that supports overall organizational objectives. Key work activities include strategy development, managing a network of service providers, strategically sourcing to meet operational objectives, bidding process, contracts administration and driving supplier performance. 
• Additionally, this Category Buyer role is expected to further the develop sourcing strategies for the segment, utilizing subject matter expertise to effectively identify areas to differentiate the supply base and optimize the packaging network, helping to assure supply and contain cost for the enterprise.

Additional Info :

• This role is located in Morton IL and does not offer relocation
• This role requires up to 25% domestic travel
• Our team embraces flexibility through a hybrid work model.  In addition to working onsite at one of our PSLD facilities, our hybrid work model allows employees flexibility to work from home based on business need.

What You Will Do:

• Developing, managing, and executing the category strategy managing policies, agreements, source catalogs, and special procurement programs.

• Procure packaging material that meet Caterpillar’s complex global operational and procurement standard requirements. Key focus around strategic sourcing to ensure capacity, service and market price objectives are met. Recognizing the potential for cost decreases, inventory reductions and quality improvement, 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, while considering business demands and suppliers' conditions.
• Documenting the suppliers' performance on time sensitiveness and production; maintains a strong relationship with suppliers.

• Leads contract negotiations with packaging providers to achieve service and product requirements that meet operational objectives and in accordance with Caterpillar’s long-term strategy. 
• Works with various basic components of strategic sourcing, such as data analysis, market research, commodity indexation and purchasing budgets examination. 
• Works with different external suppliers to address critical issues and resolves major problems for implementing supplier relationship management practices. 

What You Have (Required Skills):

• Interpersonal Relationships: This role requires a strong communicator capable of working solutions to complex problems for internal process partners and customers, keeping them informed of progress and working closely with them to ensure all requirements are met. Relationship building and management at senior levels with the suppliers is also expected that will foster trust, professionalism, and continuous improvement. Being comfortable working individually as well as in a team environment.
• Data Analytics: Knowledge of techniques and processes for inspecting, cleansing, transforming, and modeling data; ability to discover useful information, draw logical conclusions, and support 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.

What Will Put You Ahead (Preferred Skills):

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or related field
• 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.
• General knowledge in Project Management
• Six Sigma, Lean, and/or American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) certifications

What You Will Get

• In this role, you will have the opportunities to work in a diverse team of different cultures and regions!

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. This employer is not currently hiring foreign national applicants that require or will require sponsorship tied to a specific employer, such as, H, L, TN, F, J, E, O. As a global company, Caterpillar offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S which can be found through our employment website at www.caterpillar.com/careers.

Posting Dates:

June 26, 2024 - July 10, 2024

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.   

EEO/AA Employer.  All qualified individuals - Including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities - are encouraged to apply.

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