Senior 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.

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

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

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.

- 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.

- Supports NPI, global strategic sourcing, and supplier selection to ensure flexible capacity with consistent supply from qualified suppliers to support business objectives.

Required Qualifications:

- The position requires a minimum of 5-7 years of equivalent experience.

- Previous experience as a Buyer

- Experience with ERP software

- Proficient with MS Office Suite (Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Visio)

- Experience in analyzing data

Preferred Qualifications:

- The position requires a Bachelor’s degree with 3-5 years of experience. or Master's Degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain or other related field is a plus.

- Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) experience for a specific site or site(s) preferably in a manufacturing environment.

- Management of suppliers that provide services (MRO, utilities, facility repairs, site construction, etc).

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

- Construction in Oil & Gas industry experience

- Understanding and demonstration of 6-Sigma and Lean Manufacturing principles or 6-Sigma Blackbelt Certification.

- This position could use all or any of the following tools: Outlook, Sourcing Tools, 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.

This position does not offer relocation benefits. This is an in-person position and does not offer full-time remote work.

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.

Summary Pay Range:

$87,456.00 - $131,184.00

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:

Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.

- Medical, dental, and vision benefits* - Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)* - 401(k) savings plans* - Health Savings Account (HSA)* - Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)* - Health Lifestyle Programs* - Employee Assistance Program* - Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts* - Career Development* - Incentive bonus*

- Disability benefits

- Life Insurance

- Parental leave

- Adoption benefits

- Tuition Reimbursement

- These benefits also apply to part-time employees

This position requires working onsite five days a week.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:

September 23, 2025 - October 7, 2025

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

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.

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