Category Buyer

Job Description

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you are joining a global team that cares not only about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders creating stronger and more sustainable communities. We make progress and innovation happen with our customers where we work and live. Together we build a better world so everyone can enjoy living in it.

Procurement

Are you ready to lead strategic procurement at a global level? This role leads the category strategy for semiconductors with a focus on developing and executing strategies for legacy product management, global semiconductor sourcing, tier‑n supplier oversight, and overall Electrical & Electronics (E&E) goals, objectives, and reporting. E&E‑managed suppliers and technologies play a critical role in Caterpillar’s ability to meet customer expectations across the enterprise.

This team supports all Caterpillar business units in their engagement with customers, covering both new and existing products as well as aftermarket interests.

You’ll collaborate extensively across internal networks, leveraging deep expertise in supplier relationship management to influence and advance Caterpillar’s strategic interests. Success requires creative problem‑solving, the ability to work semi‑autonomously, and a strategic mindset to support current business needs.

Additional key skills include creating professional materials, presenting to senior leaders and their teams, developing deep industry expertise, executing purposeful contracts, and collaborating with a network of procurement professionals to align and complement Tier‑1 strategies.

• Responsible for the creation and deployment of the strategic semiconductor category strategy.
• Support a high functioning team transitioning from tactical to strategic objectives.
• Work with buyers, category managers, and engineering teams to ensure alignment on all finished component technology and supplier strategies.
• Close collaboration with engineering teams to enable flawless New Product Introduction (NPI) and New Source Introduction (NSI).
• Manage and improve current initiatives aimed at building resiliency through contracts, finished goods inventory, and global point of consumption effectiveness.
• Recognizing the potential for cost decreases, inventory reductions, and quality improvement, as well as responsibility for soundness of business proposals and risk assessment.
• Responsible for all emergency AoS issues by strategically developing insights and relationships within the broker and secondary markets in close collaboration with the semi‑conductor buyer.
• Execute current initiatives aimed at building resiliency through contracts, finished goods inventory, and global point of consumption effectiveness.

Data Analytics – Extensive Experience
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 – Extensive Experience
Knowledge of business process improvement tools and techniques; ability to understand, monitor, update, control, or enhance existing business or work processes.

Interpersonal Relationships – Extensive Experience
Knowledge of the techniques and the ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner.

Contracts Management and Administration – Extensive Experience
Knowledge of policies, standards, and processes of how to manage and administer contracts; ability to use proper processes and practices for managing and administering a variety of contractual agreements.

Category Management – Extensive Experience
Leads category strategy development aligned with business priorities, oversees supplier selection for NPI, NTI, and NSI programs. Promotes emerging tools & technologies to optimize category performance.

Negotiating – Working Knowledge
Knowledge of successful negotiation concepts and techniques; ability to negotiate successfully across the organization…