Associate Procurement Professional

Caterpillar Inc.; Tamil Nadu; On-site; INR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Tamil Nadu, India, is seeking a Procurement professional to support purchasing, supply chain, and contracting activities.

The role emphasizes data-driven decision making, cost analysis, and continuous improvement across logistics and supplier management. The candidate will work with cross-functional teams to optimize procurement processes, analyze data, and contribute to strategic initiatives while ensuring compliance with company policies.

Qualifications

• This role requires a data-driven approach to decision making and cost analysis.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills are essential.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Experience with procurement processes and project management.

Responsibilities

• Processing requisitions and supporting purchasing, supply chain, and contracting.
• Developing improvement plans to optimize response time, cost, and logistics.
• Supporting pricing information and supplier selection for proposals.
• Performing analytical tasks to support strategic purchasing initiatives.

Skills

Data-driven decision making

Analytical thinking

Effective communications

Project management

Procurement

Education

Bachelor's degree (Tier 1 university/college)

Tools

Procurement software

Job description

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.

Career Area

Procurement

Job Description

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.

Role Definition

Processes requisitions and provides support for purchasing, supply chain, sourcing, cost, price analyses and contract/purchase order generation.

Responsibilities

• Developing improvement plans to support buyers & professionals related to Response Time, Lean Targets Quality, Cost, Logistics, Development, and Management (QCLDM) to enable optimal and efficient operations.


• Performing analysis and maintenance of assigned processes that produce output excellence, builds expertise for the assign process area, and contributing to continuous improvement efforts.


• Supporting customers and customer proposal efforts with pricing information and supplier selection.


• Performing analytical and administrative tasks in support of purchasing strategic initiatives.

Degree Requirement

Bachelors from a Tier 1 University or college is preferred / Degree or equivalent experience desired

Skill Descriptors

Data-driven Decision Making: Knowledge of the data-driven decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to gather and analyze data to make organizational decisions that align with strategic business objectives and goals.

Level Basic Understanding

• Describes major considerations and issues in the use of data-driven decision making.


• Differentiates Data-driven decision making from traditional decision making.


• Explains characteristics and steps in an effective Data-driven Decision-Making process.


• Identifies key objectives in gathering and analyzing data.

Analytical Thinking

Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.

Level Basic Understanding

• Names specific tools or techniques that can be used to support the analytical thinking process.


• Describes specific software applications or products used for business analytics.


• Gives examples of how analytical thinking has been used to resolve problems.


• Helps others research and learn more about business analytics tools and applications.

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.

Project Management

Knowledge of effective project management strategies and tactics; ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control projects, ensuring efficient utilization of technical and administrative resources to achieve project objectives.

Level Basic Understanding

• Identifies project management tools and requirements within own function.


• Describes the key objectives, phases and deliverables of a current project.


• Explains the concepts of phase, activity, task, and deliverable.


• Gives examples of critical paths in projects.

Procurement

Knowledge of buying and procurement; ability to work with organizational strategies and practices, and use tools for buying goods, supplies, equipment and services needed to conduct business.

Level Basic Understanding

• Identifies the major steps and critical paths in a purchasing cycle.


• Explains the basic concepts and responsibilities of institutional purchasing.


• Describes the major types of materials, products or services purchased by the organization.


• Identifies the basic tools used for maintaining procurement information and records.

Knowledge of a Specific Procurement System

Knowledge of the features, functions and operations of a specific procurement system; ability to develop and use tools, techniques, and practices for a specific procurement application.

Level Basic Understanding

• Summarizes major functions, features and capabilities of the procurement application.


• Identifies key reports, their use, and frequency related to the specific procurement system.


• Explains how to process purchases of basic materials and supplies.


• Identifies key components of the specific system using relevant language.

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 Basic Understanding

• Identifies the basic tools used for maintaining procurement information.


• Identifies major types of products or services purchased by the organization.


• Explains the basic concepts and responsibilities of purchasing tasks and activities.


• Describes established procurement processes and standards.

Logistics Management

Knowledge of the processes, tools and operational considerations for effective and efficient movement of goods and materials; ability to understand, predict and control the movement of goods, materials and supplies.

Level Basic Understanding

• Documents internal and external informative sources or proprietary materials about logistics management.


• Describes basic logistical processes and sub-processes.


• Explains how improvements in logistics contribute to competitive advantage in the marketplace.


• Identifies issues and considerations for inbound and outbound logistics.

Additional information

This job requires 5 working days from office.

This Job Description is intended as a general guide to the job duties for this position and is intended for the purpose of establishing the specific salary grade. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive summary of all responsibilities, duties and effort required of employees assigned to this job. At the discretion of management, this description may be changed at any time to address the evolving needs of the organization. It is expressly not intended to be a comprehensive list of "essential job functions" as that term is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Posting Dates

September 10, 2026 - September 24, 2026

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