Associate procurement professional

Career Area:

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.

Provide purchasing support to the Grimbergen PSLD (Product Support & Logistics Division) responsible for the aftermarket Organization.

Job Duties/Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

* Be the Grimbergen facility supply contact person for +100 suppliers (+50M EUR business, +15k service parts). Coordinate procurement activities: solve purchase order related issues with velocity, provide fact-based recommendations for selection of suppliers, update the purchasing system, provide ad hoc analyses. Be a cross-discipline problem solver. Investigate problems, identify root causes, define corrective actions and implement plans.

Supply base management

* Manage his assigned suppliers throughout lifecycle (onboarding till off boarding); assist/ lead supplier visits.

* Contribute to Network optimization opportunities: highlight cost saving opportunities (price negotiations, resourcing, …) and supply chain optimizations (supplier performance, …).

Help build Relentless Procure to pay flow eliminating waste

* Maintain contacts with other Facility and Category procurement teams to resolve supplier issues that require purchasing intervention (suppliers stopping deliveries, Procure to pay issues, …).

* Perform analytical (e.g. supplier list analysis) and administrative tasks (e.g. opening Purchase Orders, request Expedite Payment, treat contested Debit Notes, …).

* Coordinate communication between suppliers and other Caterpillar divisions (Aftermarket Parts Supply Department, Quality Control, Engineering, Accounting) and provide support if needed. This can be related to pricing, quality, payment, … issues

Supplier compliance: Meet business & regulatory requirements

* Ensure suppliers fulfil necessary internal and legal requirements. Work with category buyers to address problems

* As in-depth experience & knowledge is demonstrated on management of the assigned segments, increased involvement in project work and supply chain improvement activities is to be expected.

Required Skills:
* Good knowledge of English and communication skills, both written and oral
* Familiar with inbound supply chain principles
* Analytical skills

* Diplomacy and negotiation skills
* Intermediate to advanced computer skills

Required Attitudes:

* A willingness to learn and to take on increasing responsibility
* Customer focused and flexible on adjusting in line with sense of urgency

* Taking initiative

Desired Qualifications:

* Knowledge of other languages like French, German or Dutch is an asset

* A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent by experience
* Good interpersonal and collaboration skills

Skill Descriptors
Data-driven Decision Making:

Knowledge of the data-driven decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to gather and analyze data to make organizational decisions that align with strategic business objectives and goals.
Level Basic Understanding:
• Describes major considerations and issues in the use of data-driven decision making.
• Explains characteristics and steps in an effective Data-driven Decision-Making process.
• Identifies key objectives in gathering and analysing data.

Analytical Thinking & Project management:

Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems. Able to structure bigger problems, engage team members and manage deliverables and timelines
Level Basic Understanding:
• Identifies project management tools and requirements within own function.
• Able to apply lean tools like A3, 5Why’s, Value stream mapping, etc
• Describes specific software applications or products used for business analytics.
• Gives examples and helps others of how analytical thinking has been used to resolve problems.
• Able to translate findings into robust processes and standard work

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 behaviours.
Level Working Knowledge:
• Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on process improvement
• Makes oral presentations and writes reports needed for own work.
• Able to adjust communication and presentation to audience avoiding technical jargon when inappropriate.

Strong interest in procurement & Logistics management:

Ability to work with organizational strategies and practices and use tools for buying goods needed to conduct business.
Level Basic Understanding:
• Able to identify the major steps and critical paths in a purchasing cycle and knowledge of the processes, tools and operational considerations for effective and efficient movement of goods and materials
• Identifies issues and considerations for supplier processes, inbound and outbound logistics.

Posting Dates:

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply

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