Sourcing Specialist

Career Area:

Manufacturing

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.

The successful candidate will be responsible for executing the sourcing activities assuring reliable primary and alternate sources of worldwide supply for the Forging and Machining Value Stream. The critical success factors for these procurements supports the manufacture and overhaul of world class Solar Turbines turbomachinery for energy solutions that make our customers successful. Sourcing strategies and execution must drive performance excellence for cost, quality, velocity and supply resiliency objectives. Responsibilities for this role include monitoring and assessing Solar's current supply base and identifying new potential suppliers for qualification. The Sourcing Specialist will lead the supplier evaluation, selection and qualification processes. This individual will also leverage their expertise to optimize the forging and machining supply base to support growth initiatives, mitigate risk, and implement business continuation plans.

This is the sourcing focal point for the forging and machining value stream that primarily supports New Production, Customer Services, and NPI programs. This individual has no direct reports, but will work within a team structure typically including Buyers, Supply Chain Coordinators/Planners and Supplier Technical Engineers, and reports directly to a Supply Chain Manager. Additionally, the Sourcing Specialist will work collaboratively with Engineering, Manufacturing, Customer Services. The work environment is office-based. The Sourcing Specialist should expect to visit internal production areas and external supplier sites, which will involve domestic and international travel.

For this posted opportunity, the Sourcing Specialist will be the expert for forging and machining technologies and associated industries applicable to optimal procurement of this commodity. The candidate must have a practical working knowledge of forging and machining operations and preferably experience related to turbomachinery product and/or nickel, stainless steel and specialty alloys. Additionally, a working knowledge of mill sourcing of those alloys is advantageous for managing subtier supply chain risks and resiliency strategies.

Principal Accountabilities:

Sourcing Execution & Management

• Responsible for sourcing strategy and solutions for assigned commodities in the Forging and Machining value stream. The successful candidate will be responsible for the execution of supplier discovery, evaluation, selection, onboarding and qualification. Monitors the capabilities and capacity of the current and potential supply base.

Supplier Management

• Provides guidance for managing and building new and existing supplier relationships. Implements innovative supplier performance and development processes.

Supply Chain Management

• Monitors business, market, supplier and industry trends to execute risk mitigation strategies from financial, operational, and compliance perspectives while also avoiding supply chain disruption. Coaches advanced Supply Chain concepts on performing complex analyses to develop value-added strategies.

Contract Management

• Defines the types of agreements and leads discussions for complex and potentially high value agreements used by procurement. Implements innovative and best-in-class initiatives to continuously improve contract performance and compliance that drive a strategic competitive advantage.

Negotiation

• Provides guidance on strategy, builds support and resolves issues for complex negotiations.

Cost Management

• Develops global cost strategies for assessing demand, leveraging material availability and anticipating market trends, opportunities, and risks. Identifies innovative solutions to reduce Total Cost of Ownership.

Interpersonal and Analytical Skills:

• Highly-developed interpersonal skills including critical thinking and negotiation and for dealing with sensitive issues and reaching consensus.

• Ability to collaborate in order to build constructive and inclusive business relationships.

• Capability to influence or persuade suppliers and internal clients to effective solutions.

• Demonstrates responsiveness and acts with a sense of urgency.

• Effective communicator in written and oral form.

• Dedicated to meeting and exceeding the expectations of internal clients and external customers.

• Ability to cope with change effectively and adjust to accommodate the unknown or unproven.

• Capable of setting priorities in order to support business requirements; can sense what will help or hinder achieving a goal, eliminates roadblocks, and creates focus.

• Holds self and others accountable to commitments in support of business objectives.

• Uses rigorous logic and methods for analyzing and solving difficult problems.

• Can unearth root cause to assess risk to the business and develop business continuation plans.

• Ability to coach teams, peers, and management.

• Demonstrates creativity, foresight and matured commercial and technical judgment in problem solving.

• Leads 6-Sigma and/or cross functional teams.

• Working knowledge of viable global suppliers, emerging technologies, innovative processes, as well as environmental, geo-political and market factors associated with forged and complex machined performance alloys.

Required Qualifications:

• The position requires a Master's Degree with minimum of 5 years of experience, or a Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 7 years of experience.

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

• Fluent in Business English in written and oral form and locally mandated languages as required.

• Experience with machining and forging suppliers, or the engineering or procurement of forged and machined products.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

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

• Understanding and demonstration of 6-Sigma and Lean Manufacturing principles.

• 6-Sigma Blackbelt Certification

• Experience with machining and forging suppliers for turbomachinery product and/or nickel, stainless steel and specialty alloy product in addition to experience with associated alloy mill suppliers.

Summary Pay Range:

$117,940.00 - $176,910.00

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.

Benefits:

Annual incentive bonus plan*

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holiday, Volunteer, Etc.)

401k savings plan

Health savings account (HSA)

Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)

Disability benefits

Life Insurance

Parental leave

Healthy Lifestyle Programs

Employee Assistance Programs

Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts

Tuition Reimbursement

Career Development

• Subject to annual eligibility and incentive plan guidelines.

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 17, 2024 - July 1, 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.

Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.