Category Buyer

Caterpillar Brazil; 's-Hertogenbosch; On-site; EUR 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Caterpillar Netherlands is seeking a procurement leader to develop and execute global and regional supplier strategies. You will drive cost reductions, manage supplier performance, and oversee a multi‑million dollar purchasing spend with a focus on quality and risk management.

Role requires fluency in Dutch (B2) and strong English, with on-site presence five days a week in the Netherlands. Base pay and career growth opportunities are highlighted in the posting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (HBO) in a relevant field.
• Experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supplier management.
• Fluent in Dutch (minimum B2) and proficient English.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and develop the Caterpillar Work Tools supplier base.
• Manage total purchasing spend up to USD 50 million.
• Identify cost savings, inventory optimization, and quality improvements.
• Ensure proposals are sound and compliant with regulations.
• Guide and develop locally appointed Supply Network Specialists.

Skills

Data Analytics

Effective Communication

Interpersonal Relationships

Negotiation

Contract Management

Purchasing Processes

Supplier Relationship

Strategic Sourcing

Education

Bachelor’s degree (HBO)

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Career Area: Technology, Digital and Data 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.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and Development

• Develop, manage, and execute global product group and category strategies related to procurement policies, supplier agreements, sourcing programs, and supplier management.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, inventory optimization, and quality improvement.
• Monitor and analyze national and international market developments, innovations, availability, and price trends of existing, new, and alternative products and services.
• Anticipate future market and product developments and their potential impact on the business.
• Evaluate and independently visit national and international current and potential suppliers to assess financial stability, market position, competitive position, cost structure, capacity utilization, manufacturing conditions, product quality, certifications, delivery lead times, and delivery reliability.
• Conduct benchmarking activities and identify financial and supply-related risks.

Procurement and Supplier Management

• Act as the primary point of contact between Caterpillar and international suppliers for global and regional initiatives.
• Supplier Relationship Management
• Supplier Performance Management
• Cost Management
• Risk Management
• Product Group Management
• Serve as Lead Buyer for international suppliers delivering multiple products to various Caterpillar facilities.
• Develop and execute procurement action plans per product group based on sourcing strategies.
• Negotiate the most favorable commercial terms and conditions for the organization.
• Monitor and document supplier performance regarding delivery reliability, responsiveness, quality, and production performance.

Organization and Continuous Improvement

• Strategic supplier selection
• Supplier network management
• Delivery reliability
• Supplier risk management (capacity, financial, and logistics risks)
• Contract management
• Cost and expense management
• Supplier onboarding and offboarding
• Delivery optimization
• Resource management decisions
• Lead cost-reduction and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and present cost-saving proposals.
• Promote professional excellence, compliance, and business ethics throughout the supply network.

Authorities

• Analyze strategic options and determine appropriate actions.
• Make decisions and independently execute approved actions.
• Approve expenditures up to USD 10,000 per supplier annually.
• Submit expenditures exceeding USD 10,000 for managerial approval.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining and developing the Caterpillar Work Tools supplier base.
• Managing a total purchasing spend of up to USD 50 million.
• Identifying opportunities for cost savings, inventory optimization, and quality improvements.
• Ensuring the quality and soundness of business proposals and recommendations.
• Managing supplier and business risks.
• Guiding, coaching, and developing locally appointed Supply Network Specialists.

Communication

Communication is generally in Dutch.

For this role you need to be fluent in Dutch (minimum B2 level).

Internal Stakeholders: Internal customers to maintain effective relationships, coordination, and collaboration. Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, and Procurement teams to ensure alignment and optimize Quality, Cost, Logistics, Development, and Management (QCLDM) objectives. External Stakeholders: National and international suppliers at various organizational levels. Suppliers regarding commercial negotiations, contracts, supplier development, and performance improvement initiatives.

Required Knowledge and Experience

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree level (HBO) working and thinking capability.
• Relevant experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, supply chain, or supplier management.

Functional Knowledge

• Manufacturing and assembly processes.
• Supply Chain Management principles.
• Product Group and Sourcing Strategies.
• Company product portfolio and market understanding.
• Procurement terms and conditions.
• Administrative and logistics processes.
• Quality assurance methodologies and cost analysis.
• Six Sigma tools and techniques.
• Automated business systems and ERP applications.
• Proficiency in English, both written and spoken.

Competencies

• Data Analytics (Extensive Experience) Advise stakeholders on the relationship between financial, operational, and performance data. Identify risks, opportunities, and trends through data analytics and predictive modeling. Evaluate data quality and analytical methodologies. Interpret and communicate insights that support strategic decision‑making. Lead the implementation of data collection processes and mentor others on data analysis practices.
• Effective Communication Deliver clear presentations and professional reports. Provide and receive constructive feedback effectively. Communicate complex information in an understandable manner. Recognize and respond appropriately to verbal and non‑verbal cues.
• Interpersonal Relationships Build productive working relationships with diverse stakeholders. Demonstrate understanding of differing perspectives. Adapt communication and interaction styles to suit varying situations and audiences. Collaborate effectively across departments and organizational levels.
• Negotiation Pursue mutually beneficial ('win‑win') outcomes. Focus on issues and interests rather than personalities. Use active listening and probing techniques to identify underlying concerns. Present positions clearly while remaining open to alternative viewpoints.
• Contract Management and Administration Manage contracts in accordance with organizational standards and procedures. Ensure contractual compliance and adherence to applicable regulations. Maintain accurate contract documentation and records.
• Purchasing Processes and Activities Execute procurement activities in accordance with established policies and regulations. Utilize available procurement systems and tools effectively. Ensure compliance with purchasing regulations and contractual obligations. Maintain accurate records of purchasing activities and transactions. Supplier Relationship Management: Develop and maintain strategic supplier partnerships. Monitor supplier performance and satisfaction levels. Resolve critical supplier issues and manage escalations. Support long‑term supplier engagement and continuous improvement. Strategic Sourcing: Conduct market intelligence, spend analysis, and supplier assessments. Identify opportunities to improve sourcing processes and procurement effectiveness. Execute sourcing initiatives in accordance with corporate standards and best practices. Support sourcing projects across multiple business environments and regions.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended as a general guideline of the knowledge, skills, competencies, and responsibilities required for the position. It is not intended to determine salary grades for positions covered by the Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) in the Netherlands. The task‑based job description serves as the basis for job evaluation and salary grading of CLA‑covered positions within the Netherlands.

Base Minimum Pay: € 59.828,52 Please note that salary is only one component of the total compensation and benefit package available at Caterpillar.

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates: Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.

We hire smart, friendly people and it shows in our culture.

We hold ourselves to high standards and make sure our values of integrity, excellence, teamwork, commitment and sustainability come to life in the way we work.

We make sure our employees feel continuously challenged while also supported.

We provide professional growth opportunities, including leadership programs.

We celebrate the diversity of our team, while also working together as one Caterpillar.

Our culture, like everything at our company, is made possible by each employee’s contribution.

Person by person, we create the environment we work in, and we are proud of the Caterpillar we’ve built.