Category Buyer

This role is responsible and accountable for the development, and / or communication and implementation of a regional strategy into support of a global sourcing strategy. Responsible for development, management, and execution of the regional category strategy managing policies, agreements, source catalogues, and special procurement programs.

• Ensure business continuity, supplier risk management (capacity & financial), assurance of supply, contract management, supplier commercial negotiations, cost / spend management, Total Cost of Acquisition (TCA) assurance, supplier on / off boarding, response time optimisation and resource management decisions


• Demonstrate leadership in recognising the potential for cost and inventory reductions and promoting a Zero-Defect methodology, as well as responsibility for soundness of business proposals and risk assessment.


• To serve as the primary contact for commercial discussions and negotiations with suppliers


• Promote the highest level of professionalism and business ethics


• Collaborate with Supplier Development Engineers to lead and drive continuous improvement in Quality, Cost, Logistics, Development and Management (QCLDM) with key suppliers.


• Build and foster mutually beneficial supplier relationships at all organisational levels.


• Identify, qualify, and on-board new suppliers and proactively manage their maturation within the business units


• Executing legal agreements as applicable


• Negotiating pricing models


• Recovering warranty charges from suppliers, Contracts Management and Administration: Knowledge of policies, standards and processes of how to manage and administer contracts; ability to use proper processes and practices for managing and administering a variety of contractual agreements.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Advises stakeholders on the relationship between financial, performance, and operational data used in business data analytics.


• Implements organizational protocols and procedures for contracts management.


• Explains the types of information required before a contract is signed.


• Reviews contracts to ensure compliance with contract specifications and regulations.


• Assists in creating files of relevant information for specific vendors, customers, or contracts.


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 Extensive Experience:

• Advises others on the organization's supplier relationship management practices.


• Builds consensus, resolves conflicts, and applies techniques to achieve influence and impact results with different suppliers in the organization's supplier network.


• Coaches juniors on selecting, evaluating, and managing suppliers.


• Conducts periodic reviews of work effort, progress, issues, and successes in supplier relationship establishment and management.


• Evaluates the impact of SRM on the organization's different financials.


• Refines organizational processes for establishing and maintaining supplier partnerships.


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.


Top Candidate Will Also Have some of the following skills/experience:

• Experience in purchasing, logistics, manufacturing, or engineering ideally gained in a manufacturing, off highway machines (Construction/Mining) or engines. Other areas such as Automotive or FMCG (Fast moving consumer goods) will also be considered.


• Professional certification in Procurement and/or Inventory Management preferred, e.g.; CIPS, Pending the number of applications, the criteria for the position may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting. #LI-Hybrid
  
  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 Extensive Experience:

• Reviews others' writing or presentations and provides feedback and coaching.


• Adapts documents and presentations for the intended audience.


• Demonstrates both empathy and assertiveness when communicating a need or defending a position.


• Communicates well downward, upward, and outward.


• Employs appropriate methods of persuasion when soliciting agreement.


• Maintains focus on the topic at hand.


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 Extensive Experience:

• Ensures negotiators have awareness of complementary yet diverse interests.


• Successfully completes significant negotiations, both internal and external.


• Details the risks of negotiation breakdown from each party's perspective.


• Protects own position, while demonstrating willingness to achieve win-win.


• Identifies similarities and differences in position and assesses impact on discussions.


• Detects and addresses lack of progress or a stalemate.
  
  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., Flexible working arrangements will be considered for this role, in-line with the needs of the business.

About Resource Industries

Resource Industries (RI) Procurement provides Caterpillar with a sustainable competitive advantage by selecting, managing, developing, and collaborating with a worldwide supply base. Delivering the lowest total cost for the materials, parts and services that our business needs is a vital element of Caterpillar's strategy.

Building a better world starts with basics - and for many raw materials - that means mining. The old saying goes, "if it wasn't grown, it was mined." Truth is, mining enables our modern world to degrees that are astounding.

Caterpillar is committed to supporting the mining industry and helping customers operate in safe and sustainable ways - meeting the needs of a growing world without compromising tomorrow. We work alongside customers to help keep mines efficient and productive. At the same time, we work diligently to protect the health and safety of the environment and miners - our goal is that everyone returns safely home to family every day. Nothing is more important.

Our commitment to the mining industry means the world can continue to benefit from advanced medical devices that save lives, farming equipment that puts food on the table, and cell phones that connect loved ones.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a buyer to join our team with energy, capability, and the desire to research, assess and deliver strategic sourcing plans along with driving execution, for a wide range of hydraulic components, while managing productive commercial relationships with our current supply base.

Collaborating with our global purchasing colleagues they will deliver the European element of a unified, competitive, risk mitigated, 5-year strategy. This will ensure secured supply through the business cycles for the global Resource Industries facilities that we serve., 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.


• 25 days annual leave,


• Up to 12% Bonus


• Contributory pension scheme - Caterpillar will double the employee's contribution Up to 10%


• Contributory share scheme - Caterpillar will match 50% of the employee's contribution.


• Optional flexible benefits including access to health and dental care plans, EV car lease, holiday purchase.