Senior Category Buyer

Caterpillar Inc.; Morton (IL); On-site; USD 128,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a senior procurement leader to develop and drive global and regional sourcing for powder metal components, including compaction, sinter, machining, and finishing operations.

The role focuses on supplier selection, contract negotiations, and delivering improvements in quality, cost, and supply continuity. The position collaborates with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Logistics, and Product Groups on new product introductions and supplier transitions, while

Qualifications

• Advanced degree preferred (Master's) in business, engineering, or supply chain.
• 10–15+ years of procurement or supply-chain leadership experience.
• Proven expertise in strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, RFQ management, and negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute global and regional sourcing strategies for powder metal components and related processes.
• Lead supplier selection, RFQ activities, sourcing decisions, and contract negotiations.
• Deliver year-over-year improvements in quality, cost, logistics, development, and management (QCLDM).
• Manage supplier relationships and performance through reviews and development initiatives.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks with dual sourcing and localization.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Logistics, and Product Groups on NPI and transfers.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Supplier relationship mgmt

RFQ management

Negotiation

Cross-functional leadership

Analytical thinking

Manufacturing & supply chain knowledge

Data-driven decision making

Education

Advanced degree (Master's) preferred

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

Additional Information

• Location: Morton, IL.
• Domestic relocation assistance is not available.
• Up to 50% travel may be required (domestic and international).
• Sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Applications accepted through September 10, 2026.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and execute global and regional sourcing strategies for powder metal components and related manufacturing processes, including compaction, press and sinter operations, sizing, heat treatment, machining, grinding, finishing, coatings, and value-added assembly operations.
• Lead supplier selection, RFQ activities, sourcing decisions, contract negotiations, and commercial execution for powder metal commodities supporting Caterpillar's Resource Industries product portfolio.
• Deliver year-over-year improvements in Quality, Cost, Logistics, Development, and Management (QCLDM) performance while meeting annual cost reduction and value improvement objectives.
• Manage supplier relationships and performance through structured business reviews, supplier development initiatives, capacity planning, and long-term business continuity strategies.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks through dual sourcing, localization strategies, supplier development programs, recovery planning, and resiliency initiatives.
• Partner closely with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Logistics, Product Groups, and Supply Chain teams to support new product introductions (NPI), product transfers, supplier transitions, and continuous improvement opportunities.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations involving pricing, tooling investments, capacity expansion, recovery plans, and long-term supply agreements.
• Analyze market intelligence, supplier capabilities, cost structures, and industry trends to identify sourcing opportunities and support strategic business decisions.
• Support resolution of critical supply constraints, quality issues, and machine-down situations with urgency to protect customer commitments and manufacturing operations.
• Ensure compliance with Caterpillar procurement policies, sourcing processes, supplier contracts, and corporate governance requirements while maintaining a strong focus on operational excellence.

What Makes This Role Exciting

• Opportunity to shape Caterpillar's global sourcing strategy for critical powder metal components used across some of the world's largest mining and construction machines.
• Direct visibility to senior leadership through ownership of strategic supplier relationships, commercial negotiations, and key business decisions impacting quality, cost, and supply continuity.
• Influence supplier investment, capacity expansion, localization strategies, and risk mitigation initiatives that strengthen Caterpillar's global supply network.
• Exposure to a diverse manufacturing environment including powder metal compaction, sintering, machining, heat treatment, surface treatments, and assembly operations.
• Ability to partner with cross-functional teams across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Logistics, and Product Groups to support innovation, new product introductions, and operational excellence.
• Opportunity to drive meaningful business results through strategic sourcing, supplier development, cost competitiveness, and supply chain resiliency initiatives.

What Skills You Will Have

Effective Communications: Effectively communicates complex sourcing, supplier, manufacturing, and business information to diverse stakeholders while influencing decisions, driving alignment, and managing key relationships across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and supplier organizations.

Interpersonal Relationships: Builds strong, collaborative relationships with internal business partners and global suppliers to drive results, resolve conflicts, influence outcomes, and achieve shared business objectives across cross-functional teams.

Negotiating: Leads complex commercial negotiations that balance cost, quality, capacity, risk, and supply continuity while creating mutually beneficial outcomes for Caterpillar and suppliers. Demonstrates strong supplier management and negotiation skills to support strategic business objectives.

Contracts Management & Administration: Manages and optimizes supplier contracts by mitigating risk, ensuring compliance, improving commercial terms, and supporting long-term business objectives while maintaining adherence to procurement policies and corporate governance requirements.

Purchasing Tasks & Activities: Directs strategic procurement activities by implementing sourcing strategies, improving purchasing processes, managing supplier performance, and ensuring the effective acquisition of materials and services that support operational and customer requirements.

Supplier Relationship Management: Develops strategic supplier partnerships that improve performance, strengthen supply assurance, increase capacity flexibility, and support operational and financial goals. Works closely with suppliers to drive continuous improvement, resolve issues, and support long-term business continuity.

Strategic Sourcing: Leads end-to-end sourcing strategies, including supplier selection, contracting, risk management, dual-sourcing initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts to maximize value, improve competitiveness, and enhance supply chain resilience.

Analytical Thinking & Business Acumen: Utilizes strong analytical and problem-solving skills to evaluate supplier cost structures, market dynamics, manufacturing capabilities, and business risks. Leverages data-driven insights to support sourcing decisions, identify improvement opportunities, and deliver measurable business results.

Cross-Functional Leadership: Demonstrates the ability to lead complex cross-functional initiatives by partnering with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Logistics, Product Groups, and Supply Chain teams to support new product introductions, supplier transitions, operational improvements, and strategic business objectives.

Manufacturing & Supply Chain Knowledge: Applies knowledge of manufacturing processes, supplier development, and global supply chain operations to improve sourcing outcomes and operational performance. Experience with powder metal manufacturing processes, machining operations, and other complex manufacturing environments is highly valued.

Top Candidates Will Also Have

• Advanced degree preferred (Master's) and/or 10-15+ years of experience in procurement, supply chain, manufacturing, engineering, supplier development, or a related field.
• Proven expertise in strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, RFQ management, contract negotiations, and supplier performance improvement.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate supplier cost structures, manufacturing processes, market conditions, capacity constraints, and business risks to drive sourcing decisions.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives and delivering measurable business results through collaboration, influence, and stakeholder management.
• Experience working with global suppliers and supporting supplier transitions, business continuity planning, localization efforts, and supply chain risk mitigation activities.
• Knowledge of powder metal manufacturing processes, including sintering, sizing, heat treatment, secondary machining, grinding, finishing operations, bearings, bushings, gears, and structural powder metal components.
• Experience supporting new product introductions (NPI), capacity investments, tooling negotiations, and supplier development initiatives preferred.

Summary Pay Range

$128,470.00 - $192,710.00

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.

Posting Dates

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.