Category Buyer

Caterpillar; Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 98,000 - 146,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off

401(k) savings plans

Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employee Assistance Program

Incentive bonus

Job summary

Caterpillar is seeking a Category Buyer to deliver supply chain value across Power & Energy Procurement. You will develop category strategies, manage supplier relationships, and drive cost and value improvements while coordinating with internal teams and external vendors.

The role emphasizes QCLDM decision-making, effective communication, and risk assessment to support multiple Caterpillar business units. Primary location is Mossville with flexibility to Lafayette or Seguin.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience is desired.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to convey ideas clearly and solicit feedback.
• Negotiation skills to achieve win-win outcomes across internal and external partners.
• Experience in managing supplier relationships and driving performance improvements.
• Knowledge of strategic sourcing methods and data-driven procurement processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the category strategy, manage policies, agreements, source catalogs, and special procurement programs.
• Identify opportunities for cost reductions, inventory reduction, and quality improvements while assessing risk and proposals.
• Serve as liaison between Caterpillar and suppliers, balancing production demands with supplier constraints.
• Document supplier performance timelines and maintain strong supplier relationships.

Skills

Effective Communications

Negotiating

Supplier Relationship Management

Strategic Sourcing

Education

Degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Open — Caterpillar has a posting for this job. Posted 30 Oct 2026.

About this job

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.

About Power & Energy Procurement

Caterpillar’s Power & Energy Procurement organization plays a critical role in supporting all divisions within Power & Energy. Our work is geared towards our pistons of Predictable Supply Excellence, Optimized Total Cost of Ownership, Supplier Relationship Management and Lifecycle Sourcing Strategy. We continue to develop suppliers who competitively deliver operational excellence, enabling our customers to build a better world. With a strong focus on data-driven decision-making and operational efficiency, Power & Energy Procurement leverages advanced tools and processes to connect the physical and digital supply chain, enabling business units to deliver high-performance solutions that meet evolving customers and business needs.

Role Definition

We are seeking Category Buyer. This person will provide supply network solutions expertise, using Quality, Cost, Logistics, Development, and Management (QCLDM) to deliver maximum value.

What You Will Do:

• Developing, managing and executing the category strategy managing policies, agreements, source catalogs, and special procurement programs.
• Recognizing the potential for cost decreases, inventory reductions and quality improvement, as well as responsibility for soundness of business proposals and risk assessment.
• Acting as the liaison between the organization and the supplier to communicate information explicitly, while considering production demands and suppliers' conditions.
• Documenting the suppliers' performance on time sensitiveness and production; maintains a strong relationship with suppliers.

Degree Requirement

Degree or equivalent experience desired
What You Will Have:

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.

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 Working Knowledge:

• Works to achieve win-win in negotiations, rather than taking a win-lose approach.
• Focuses on issues rather than personalities.
• Uses active listening and probing techniques to surface problems, issues, and interests.
• Demonstrates a willingness to examine own position.
• Presents own position and listens attentively to position of others.

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 Working Knowledge:

• Adheres to organizational policies and codes for supplier relationship management.
• Communicates with suppliers about contract preparation and negotiation.
• Documents and analyzes problems and challenges in supplier relationship establishment and management.
• Monitors satisfaction levels of the organization's important suppliers on a regular basis.
• Works with different external suppliers to address critical issues and resolves major problems for implementing supplier relationship management practices.

Strategic Sourcing: Knowledge of strategic sourcing methods, technologies and processes; ability to analyze, improve and re-evaluate organizational procurement process continuously.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Works with various basic components of strategic sourcing, such as data analysis, market research and purchasing budgets examination.
• Participates in enhancing institutional sourcing process continuously including identifying improvement opportunities.
• Conducts strategic sourcing activities in a limited environment.
• Follows relevant standards, policies and practices regarding strategic sourcing.
• Assists senior sourcing professionals with strategic sourcing in multiple environments.

Additional Information:

• The primary location is Mossville, but we are open to this person to sitting in Lafayette or Seguin.
• Relocation assistance is NOT available for this position
• Visa sponsorship is NOT available with this position.

Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For nearly 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.

Summary Pay Range:

$97,530.00 - $146,290.00

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.

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*
• Incentive bonus*
• Disability benefits
• Life Insurance
• Parental leave
• Tuition Reimbursement

* These benefits also apply to part-time employees

Posting Dates:

October 30, 2026 - November 10, 2026

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.