Associate Procurement Professional

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. The Associate Procurement Professional plays a key role in supporting purchasing, sourcing, and supply chain activities by processing requisitions, conducting cost and price analyses, and assisting with contract and purchase order administration. Working closely with suppliers and internal stakeholders, this position helps drive operational excellence, ensure compliance, and support the timely delivery of goods and services. This role is ideal for a detail-oriented, analytical professional who enjoys problem-solving, collaborating across functions, and supporting strategic procurement initiatives. You will partner with business units, engineering, finance, legal, and suppliers to deliver high-quality solutions that drive business success while supporting Quality, Cost, Logistics, Development, and Management (QCLDM) objectives.

Procurement Operations Process requisitions and support purchasing activities for goods and services. Assist with contract and purchase order generation, administration, and maintenance. Support procurement processes while ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures. Maintain procurement documentation, records, and system data accuracy. Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Support Support customers and customer proposal efforts with pricing information and supplier selection. Assist with supplier sourcing, evaluation, and onboarding activities. Conduct cost and price analyses to support procurement decisions and sourcing strategies. Collaborate with suppliers and stakeholders to support quality, delivery, and cost objectives. Analytics & Continuous Improvement Perform analysis and maintenance of assigned processes that produce operational excellence. Build expertise within assigned process areas and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives. Develop improvement plans supporting buyers and procurement professionals related to Response Time, Lean Targets, and QCLDM performance objectives. Generate reports and perform data analysis to support strategic procurement initiatives and business decisions. Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with business units, engineering, finance, legal, and operations teams to support procurement requirements. Communicate procurement-related information clearly and professionally to internal and external stakeholders. Support project activities and procurement initiatives by coordinating tasks, timelines, and deliverables. Provide administrative and analytical support for purchasing and supply chain programs. Compliance & Risk Management Ensure procurement activities adhere to company policies, procedures, and contractual obligations. Support procurement audits, compliance reviews, and documentation requirements. Identify potential supply or process risks and escalate concerns appropriately. Contribute to efficient and effective procurement operations through sound decision-making and process discipline. What Skills Will You Have:   Data-Driven Decision Making Understanding of data-driven decision-making processes and associated tools and techniques. Ability to gather, analyze, and interpret data to support business objectives. Knowledge of key considerations and best practices in data-driven decision making. Analytical Thinking Ability to analyze information, identify root causes, and develop alternative solutions. Working knowledge of analytical tools, business analytics applications, and problem-solving