Category Buyer I

Career Area

Procurement

Job Description

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, youre 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 dont 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.

Responsibilities

• Developing, managing and executing the category strategy managing policies, agreements, source catalogs, and special procurement programs.
• 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 production demands and suppliers conditions.
• Documenting the suppliers performance on time sensitiveness and production; maintains a strong relationship with suppliers.
  
  

Data Analytics

• Collects required data through various data sources and documents them for evaluating trends and activities.
• Assists in preparing charts, graphs, tables, and other tools to represent the results obtained from data.
• analysis.
  
  

Effective Communications

• Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors without offending.
• Listens to feedback without defensiveness and uses it for own communication
• Makes oral presentations and writes reports needed for own work.
• Avoids technical jargon when inappropriate.
• Looks for and considers non-verbal cues from individuals and groups.
  
  

Interpersonal Relationships

• Explains impact of interactions with individuals and groups.
• Identifies roles and responsibilities for self and others.
• Demonstrates an understanding of alternative points of view.
• Collaborates with departmental associates and management.
• Adapts interaction style to situations and people.
  
  

Negotiating

• Works to achieve win-win in negotiations, rather than taking a win-lose approach.
• Focuses on issues rather than personalities.
• Uses active listening and probing techniques to surface problems, issues, and interests.
• Demonstrates a willingness to examine own position.
• Presents own position and listens attentively to position of others.
  
  

Contracts Management And Administration

• Administers locally relevant contracts for the department.
• Implements organizational protocols and procedures for contracts management.
• Explains the types of information required before a contract is signed.
• Reviews contracts to ensure compliance with contract specifications and regulations.
• Assists in creating files of relevant information for specific vendors, customers, or contracts.
  
  

Purchasing Tasks And Activities

• Records documents of purchasing tasks and activities, such as orders, bidding.
• Uses available procurement systems and tools.
• Ensures compliance with procurement regulations and contract specifications.
• Works with basic purchasing related tasks and activities.
• Adheres to various requirements and steps of the procurement process.
  
  

Strategic Sourcing

• Works with various basic components of strategic sourcing, such as data analysis, market research and purchasing budgets examination.
• Participates in enhancing institutional 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.
  
  

Additional Info

• Office Model: This position requires the employee to work a 5-day-a-week schedule in the office.
  
  

This Job Description is intended as a general guide to the job duties for this position and is intended for the purpose of establishing the specific salary grade. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive summary of all responsibilities, duties and effort required of employees assigned to this job. At the discretion of management, this description may be changed at any time to address the evolving needs of the organization. It is expressly not intended to be a comprehensive list of “essential job functions” as that term is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Relocation is available for this position.

Posting Dates

September 22, 2025 - October 6, 2025

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply

Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.

---