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.

Your Impact 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.

Why Join Us?

• Drive innovation in customer experience and enterprise communications.
• Lead impactful projects that deliver measurable business results.
• Collaborate with a forward-thinking team in a dynamic, growth-oriented environment.

Job Summary

Caterpillar is seeking a Category Buyer to join Business and Solutions -Global Finance Services Division.

This The incumbent would be responsible for the procurement of Capital Purchases (Manufacturing & Logistics). Reporting directly to the Category Procurement Manager, this role will work with the operations team to define business requirements and drive global strategies that supports overall organizational objectives. Key work activities include strategy development, managing a network of service providers, strategic sourcing to meet operational objectives, bidding process, contracts administration and driving supplier performance.

Additionally, this buyer role is expected to further the development of sourcing strategies for the segment, utilizing subject matter expertise to effectively identify areas to differentiate the supply base and optimize the packaging network, helping to ensure supply and contain cost for the enterprise.
The role requires a strong communicator capable of working on solutions to complex problems for internal process partners and customers, keeping them informed of progress and working closely with them to ensure all requirements are met. Relationship building and management at senior levels with the suppliers is also expected that will foster trust, professionalism and continuous improvement.

The preference for this role is to be based out of Thiruvallur-RIOP CIPL Plant-India

What you will do

• Work with facilities engineering teams to develop best in class solutions.
• Work with Caterpillar’s legal services to ensure that all contracts provide Caterpillar with appropriate legal protection.
• Documenting the suppliers' performance on time sensitivity and production
• Procure capital equipment that meet Cat’s complex global operational and procurement standard requirements.
• Key focus around strategic sourcing to ensure capacity, service and market price objectives are met.
• Developing, managing, and executing the category strategy, policies, agreements, source catalogs, and special procurement programs.

 What you will have 

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Communication: Well-developed communication and presentation skills
• Interpersonal Relationships: Maintaining a strong relationship with suppliers.
• Works with different external suppliers to address critical issues and resolves major problems for implementing supplier relationship management practices.
•  Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
• Negotiation and Contract Management: Lead contract negotiations with providers to achieve service and price that meet operational objectives and is in accordance with Cat’s long-term strategy.
• Purchasing and Procurement: Extensive experience in project management and/or procurement as this role is the procurement lead for the development of Capital equipment and automation solutions.
• Data Analytics and Strategic Sourcing: Works with various basic components of strategic sourcing, such as data analysis, market research, commodity indexation and purchasing budgets examination.
• Recognizing the potential for cost decreases, inventory reductions and quality improvement, as well as responsibility for soundness of business proposals and risk assessment.
• This position requires candidate to work a 5-day -a -week schedule in the office

Top Candidates Will Also Have:
• Experience in Process improvement and/or Project Management
• Industry relevant certifications (i.e. LEAN, Six Sigma, APICS, PMP)
• Advanced Degree (Business, Logistics or Supply Chain)

Additional Information:
• This position does offer relocation
• This position requires 25% or less travel

Skills desired:

Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.
Level Working Knowledge:
• Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors without offending the recipient.
• Listens to feedback without defensiveness and uses it for own communication effectiveness.
• 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: Knowledge of the techniques and the ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner.
Level Working Knowledge:
• 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: Knowledge of successful negotiation concepts and techniques; ability to negotiate successfully across the organization and with external vendors and clients in a constructive and collaborative manner.
Level Basic Understanding:
• Describes qualities of effective and ineffective negotiations.
• Explains the basic concepts of negotiating.
• Accesses organizational policies and practices for negotiating.
• Utilizes techniques for establishing rapport and building trust.

Contracts Management and Administration: 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.
Level Basic Understanding:
• Explains the responsibilities of the contracts administration function.
• Describes basic concepts and activities of managing existing contracts.
• Discusses organizational protocols, standards, and procedures for contracts management and administration.
• Identifies and interprets regular contracts administration reports.

Purchasing Tasks and Activities: Knowledge of policies, regulations and processes of purchasing; ability to use practices and procedures for procurement of materials, components, equipment and services.
Level Working Knowledge:
• 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.

Supplier Relationship Management: Knowledge of supplier relationship management concept and strategies; ability to address critical issues to meet supplier needs and maintain engaged, partnering relationship with suppliers.
Level Basic Understanding:
• Describes the general processes and procedures involved in supplier relationship management.
• Explains the benefits of establishing and maintaining supplier relationships.
• Identifies the main objectives and functions of supplier relationship management.
• Locates where and how to obtain or maintain information on suppliers.

Strategic Sourcing: Knowledge of strategic sourcing methods, technologies and processes; ability to analyze, improve and re-evaluate organizational procurement process continuously.
Level Basic Understanding:
• Describes where and how to obtain more information regarding strategic sourcing.
• Cites specific examples of usage or application of strategic sourcing.
• Explains key concepts and steps of strategic sourcing.
• Identifies major initiatives, key issues and benefits of strategic sourcing.

What you will get:

• Work Life Harmony
• Earned and medical leave.

Holistic Development

• Personal and professional development through Caterpillar ‘s employee resource groups across the globe
• Career developments opportunities with global prospects

Health and Wellness

• Medical coverage -Medical, life and personal accident coverage
• Employee mental wellness assistance program

 Financial Wellness

• Employee investment plan
• Pay for performance -Annual incentive Bonus plan.

 Additional Information:

Caterpillar is not currently hiring individuals for this position who now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status; however, 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:

January 13, 2026 - January 26, 2026

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

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