Senior Category Buyer

Caterpillar Brazil; Morton, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 128,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off

401(k) plans

HSA

FSAs

Career Development

Incentive bonus

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Senior Buyer to lead global sourcing strategies for powder metal components, collaborating with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Logistics, and Product Groups worldwide.

You will drive supplier selection, contract negotiations, and performance improvements across multiple Caterpillar platforms. The role requires strong cross‑functional leadership, deep procurement knowledge, and the ability to influence stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree preferred (Master's) and/or 10–15+ years in procurement, supply chain or related field.
• Experience in strategic sourcing, RFQ management, contract negotiations, and supplier performance improvement.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with data‑driven decision making.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute global and regional sourcing strategies for powder metal components and related processes.
• Lead supplier selection, RFQ activities, sourcing decisions, and commercial execution.
• Deliver improvements in quality, cost, logistics, development, and management targets.
• Manage supplier relationships and performance through reviews and development initiatives.
• Support new product introductions, supplier transitions, and continuous improvement opportunities.
• Lead complex negotiations involving pricing, tooling investments, capacity, and long‑term supply agreements.

Skills

Effective Communications

Interpersonal Relationships

Negotiating

Contracts Management

Purchasing Tasks

Supplier Relationship Management

Strategic Sourcing

Analytical Thinking

Cross-Functional Leadership

Manufacturing & Supply Chain Knowledge

Education

Master's degree

Job description

Career Area: 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. At Caterpillar Resource Industries (RI), we build the world's most productive mining and heavy construction equipment, helping customers around the globe move the materials that power economic growth and modern infrastructure. Our portfolio includes large mining trucks, wheel loaders, hydraulic shovels, underground mining machines, and other industry-leading equipment that operate in some of the harshest environments on earth. The reliability and performance of these machines depend on a highly integrated global supply network and strategically sourced components that support critical systems across multiple product platforms. As Caterpillar continues to innovate and expand its global footprint, strong supplier partnerships and resilient sourcing strategies remain essential to delivering world-class products to our customers. As a Senior Buyer, you will be the global category leader for powder metal components and related manufacturing processes, a commodity group that supports numerous Caterpillar product families and business units across Resource Industries and beyond. This highly visible role is critical to ensuring the supply, quality, cost competitiveness, and long‑term sustainability of components used throughout multiple machine platforms and product development programs. You will lead strategic sourcing initiatives, supplier selection, contract negotiations, risk mitigation efforts, and supplier performance improvements while partnering closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Logistics, Supply Chain, and Product Groups worldwide. Your influence will extend across new product introductions, product transfers, supplier transitions, and business continuity initiatives, making you a key contributor to Caterpillar's operational success. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape a critical global commodity strategy, strengthen Caterpillar's supply resilience, and deliver meaningful business impact through collaboration, leadership, and strategic decision‑making.

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, 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.

#LI 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:

• 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

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

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.

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.