Procurement Specialist

Solar Turbines; Newport Beach (CA); On-site; USD 113,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off

401(k) savings plans

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Tuition Reimbursement

Parental leave

Adoption benefits

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. seeks a Procurement Specialist/Senior Buyer to manage day-to-day and strategic supplier relations. You will place POs, follow up, resolve issues, and lead negotiations to secure favorable contracts while aligning with the business plan.

You will develop commercial strategies, monitor supplier performance across quality, cost, and delivery, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement and value creation for our global operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 5–7 years of experience
• Commercial experience in supplier management and contract negotiation
• Experience with ERP software and MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Visio)
• Fluent in Business English in written and oral form

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and improve supplier performance across quality, cost, delivery, and lead time
• Drive cost reduction using cost modeling and TCO analysis
• Manage day-to-day supplier relationships and purchase orders
• Lead strategic supplier engagements and define buyer-supplier relationships
• Support NPI, global sourcing, and supplier selection for reliable supply
• Lead cross-functional teams in supplier development and problem resolution

Skills

Supplier management

Contract negotiation

ERP software

MS Office

Business English

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

ERP software

MS Office Suite

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

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.

Position Objective

This position is responsible for day-to-day and strategic supplier management including, but not limited to: purchase order placement, follow-up, issue resolution; communication of demand and forecasts; preparing contracts; acting as the lead negotiator providing solutions to a wide range of issues; developing commercial strategies for product and/or service contracts; managing supplier relationships and performance metrics; communicating and mitigating risk that could impact Solar’s ability to meet the business plan.

Nature and Scope

This position acts with a sense of urgency and is diligent in providing timely support to internal and external customers. This individual operates in compliance with corporate and Supply Chain policies and procedures. A Procurement Specialist may manage relationships of some non-strategic suppliers but will predominately oversee strategic or complex suppliers. This individual has no direct reports but work within a team structure typically including a Sourcing Specialist, Supply Chain Coordinator/Planner, Supplier Technical Engineer, Supplier Development Engineer, and reports directly to a Site Sourcing Manager or Supply Chain Manager. There is an expectation to not only participate on but lead projects from conception to maturity that directly support organizational objectives.

Principal Accountabilities

• Continuously practices and demonstrates Safety and acting in adherence to Our Values in Action.
• Effectively evaluates, improves, and sustains supplier performance, including but not limited to: Quality, Cost, Delivery, Lead-time, Bid & Proposal Turn-times, Project & Field Support, etc.
• Drives cost management through identifying and implementing opportunities for cost reduction, utilizes cost modeling techniques, and analyzing TCO to ensure the best overall value to Solar.
• Manages and maintains the Supplier relationship at a day-to-day and strategic level. Day-to-day activities include purchase order issuance and maintenance, grief resolution, and business review meetings. Strategic activities include working with the Supply Chain Leadership and/or Sourcing Specialist to define the buyer-supplier relationship that determines as well as executes the strategic direction (Hold, Grow, Consolidate, Exit).
• Develops a network that allows the Senior Buyer to leverage internal and external relationships to continuously improve responsiveness & service levels.
• Leads commercial negotiations and is accountable for contract execution and maintenance (NDA’s, GP’s, PSAs, JDAs, etc).
• Initiates and promotes cross functional teaming in Supplier development, problem resolution, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Supports NPI, global strategic sourcing, and Supplier selection to ensure flexible capacity and consistent supply from qualified suppliers to support business objectives.
• Interpersonal and Analytical Skills
• Well-developed interpersonal skills are required in dealing with sensitive issues and reaching consensus on specific actions.
• Capability to influence and persuade Suppliers and internal clients to effective solutions.

Required Qualifications

• The position requires a Bachelor’s degree with 5-7 years of experience
• Commercial experience, supplier management and contract negotiation
• Experience with ERP software and proficient with MS Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Visio)
• Fluent in Business English in written and oral form

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain or other related field.
• Supply Chain Certification from a professional institution (APICS, IIPMR, ISCEA, ISM, etc)
• Understanding and demonstration of 6-Sigma and Lean Manufacturing principles.
• 6-Sigma Blackbelt Certification

This role requires working in the office 5 days per week.

Summary Pay Range

$112,704.00 - $169,056.00

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.

Benefits

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*
• Career Development*
• Incentive bonus*
• Disability benefits
• Life Insurance
• Parental leave
• Adoption benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement
• These benefits also apply to part-time employees

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

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.