Category Buyer I: Strategic Sourcing & Cost Savings

Progress Rail, A Caterpillar Company; La Grange (IL); On-site; USD 66,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance

Paid Vacation & Holidays

PTO & EAP

Job summary

Progress Rail, A Caterpillar Company, is seeking a senior commodity buyer to lead sourcing strategies, optimize total cost of ownership, and drive cost reductions across key commodities in the LaGrange, IL area.

The role collaborates with Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain to ensure material availability and on-time delivery, while maintaining supplier performance and strategic relationships.

Qualifications

• PCBA / CM / Electronics background.
• A minimum of two years of progressively responsible job-related experience.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated analytical ability and problem-solving skills.
• Self-starter with initiative. ability to function with minimal supervision.
• Interpersonal skills to work within team environment.
• Ability to read (or learn to read) blueprints and understand basic Engineering documents.
• Experience with demand forecasting and inventory management.
• Ability to travel as required.
• Attention to detail, ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks with strict deadlines.
• Ability to apply logic and reasoning to identify solutions to problems.Demonstrated personal time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate price and terms with suppliers.
• Initiate and implement cost reductions on supplier products.
• Develop new and maintain current qualified suppliers for assigned commodities.
• Procure quality material to support demand requirements.
• Establish and maintain supply base with capacity to support requirements.
• Troubleshoot to resolve issues with vendors and parts.
• Coordinate engineering changes affecting purchased material.
• Provide expedite assistance to assure schedule performance.
• Work cross-functionally with Engineering, Quality, AP, Supply Chain, Transportation, Receiving, Production, Customer Service, Demand Planning.

Skills

Demand forecasting

Inventory management

Analytical ability

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SAP exposure

ERP systems

MS Office

Job description

Progress Rail, A Caterpillar Company, is seeking a senior commodity buyer to lead sourcing strategies, optimize total cost of ownership, and drive cost reductions across key commodities in the LaGrange, IL area.

The role collaborates with Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain to ensure material availability and on-time delivery, while maintaining supplier performance and strategic relationships.