Sr Buyer

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.

Job Purpose

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; negotiating contract terms; managing supplier relationships and performance metrics; facilitating communications; and mitigating risk that could impact Solar's ability to meet the business plan. Dimensions

Spend & Contractual Commitments: Typically between $5M-40M

People: This position supports multiple internal business groups, engages in cross functional interactions, and provides back-up coverage for other Buyers.

Leadership: Experienced in the role and can act as a coach/mentor in the areas of world-class procurement.

Suppliers: Can be Sole, Single, Dual, or Multiple source. Can provide direct and/or indirect goods & services and could involve Third Party Intermediaries (TPIs).

Buyer-Supplier Relationships: Arms-Length, Preferred Suppliers, Partnerships, Strategic Alliances.

Supplier Complexity & Risk: Works with suppliers that fall within the following Portfolio Analysis categories: Acquisition, Leverage, Critical, Strategic.

Balance of Power: Works with suppliers across the spectrum (Buyer, Neutral, Seller).

Nature and Scope

This position acts with a sense of urgency and is diligent in providing timely support to internal clients and external customers. This individual operates in compliance with corporate and Supply Chain policies and procedures.

A Senior Buyer will manage relationships of non-strategic suppliers as well as critically strategic or complex suppliers. This position may be located centrally or in regional offices. This individual has no direct reports, but works 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 participate on or possibly lead projects that directly support organizational objectives.

The primary functions of the job include but are not limited to:

Supply Chain Management -

Applies advanced Supply Chain concepts and performs complex analyses to develop procurement strategies ensuring supplier capacity that supports Purchase Order (PO) commitments.

Develops and maintains relationships with internal clients and lower-level supplier executives functioning as the Supply Chain and Solar ambassador.

Monitors and manages ownership of risk from financial, business continuation, and compliance perspectives. Ensures procurement processes meet audit, regulatory, and legal standards.

Maintains all detailed documentation for performing the role.

Contract Management -

Develops agreements that align with sourcing strategies. Utilizes appropriate standard Solar contracts and templates with legal review, as required.

Identifies and balances key risks at all stages. Integral in tracking contract execution, leading contract teams, closing contracts, and enforcing any applicable rights beyond contract completion.

Works closely with users defining supplier performance measurements and reporting frameworks.

Manages the transition process when changing contracted suppliers.

Negotiation -

Able to collect and synthesize a complete data package as well as assist in developing the strategy in preparation of negotiation.

Able to ethically execute negotiation strategies for low criticality/low complexity items displaying varied negotiation techniques to achieve best results.

Identifies and resolves areas of risk.

Supplier Selection & Management -

Integral part of supplier selection process and managing the relationships of existing suppliers.

Manages performance of low to moderately complex suppliers.

Cost Management -

Applies business strategies to daily activities, contributes to make-buy decisions, identifies market opportunities, gaps and trends.

Understands, applies and coaches others in building and analyzing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) models.

Purchasing Execution -

Resolves high complexity purchasing related grief issues with minimal assistance.

Develops, recommends, and provides training/mentorship around purchasing processes, process changes, and procurement tools.

Executes risk mitigation strategies to avoid Supply Chain disruption.

Validates data integrity, identifies data gaps, and updates & corrects system data.

The work environment is mostly office based, however this position may visit internal production areas as well as external supplier sites, which may involve domestic and/or international travel.

Internal clients include, but not limited to, the following: Global Supply Chain, Finance, Global Enabling Systems, Logistics, Legal, Customer Services (Field Services, Overhaul & Repair, Service Parts), Manufacturing, Business Management, New Product Introduction & Design Engineering, Project Application Engineering, Test Engineering, Project Engineering, and external Suppliers.

The primary challenges of this position include:

Making sound decisions with the Business' best interest in mind and knowing the impact decisions will have on organizational objectives.

Improving and sustaining supplier performance with regards to Quality, Cost, Delivery, and Field Support (when required).

Achieving business commercial objectives where minimal supplier leverage exists.

Management of critical supplier contract development and execution.

Concurrently managing multiple critical priorities.

Building relationships inside and outside of the Global Supply Chain Organization; influencing, persuading, and collaborating with others in order to support business objectives.

The decisions that are made by the Senior Buyer will be based on: Supply Chain Management, Site Sourcing Manager and/or Sourcing Specialist input or diection, our Values in Action, Worldwide Procedures, Solar Policies, Quality Management System, other process documentation, import/export compliance guidelines as well as adherence to State, Federal, and international regulations. Failure to achieve results, erroneous decisions or recommendations, could result in legal issues, production delays, impact to supplier relationships and/or the allocation of additional resources.

This position could use all or any of the following tools: ERP software, Windchill, Cognos (or other analytical tool), MS Office Suite, Lotus Notes or Outlook, Sourcing Tools, Virtual Conferencing (WebEx / Skype), industry research tools and codes, cost analysis and make/buy decision tools, supplier financial health reporting (D&B, 10-k, 10-Q, etc), travel expense reporting tools.

Principal Accountabilities

Continuously practices and demonstrates Safety and acts 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 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.

Assists in commercial negotiations with accountabilities for contract execution and maintenance (NDA's, GP's, PSAs, JDAs, etc).

Initiates and promotes cross functional teaming in support of supplier development, problem resolution, and continuous improvement efforts.

Supports NPI, global strategic sourcing, and supplier selection to ensure flexible capacity with 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 or persuade suppliers and internal clients to effective solutions.

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

Demonstrates responsiveness and acts with a sense of urgency.

Ability to coach, mentor, as well as provide and accept constructive criticism.

Effective communicator in written and oral form.

Dedicated to meeting or 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.

Required Qualifications

The position requires a Master's degree with 1-3 years of experience, a Bachelor's degree with 3-5 years of experience, or 5-7 years of equivalent experience.

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

Fluent in Business English in written and oral form.

Preferred Qualifications

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

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

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

6-Sigma Blackbelt Certification

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:

March 19, 2024 - April 2, 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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