Product Procurement Engineer

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.

Definition Manages part development and quality feedback loops for New Product Introduction (NPI), Continuous Product Improvement (CPI), and New Source Introduction (NSI) related activities by collaborating with suppliers, design control engineers, value chain engineering, and procurement category teams. Responsibilities •    Managing Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Cost management related activities from concept to PPAP to deliver parts at the right quality, total cost, and meet timelines. They accomplish this through collaboration with various functional areas like packaging, transportation, business resources, supply chain, etc,. •    Implementing product supply strategies aligned with the category management supply strategies that will create a competitive advantage for our customers by developing, optimizing, and integrating a world-class supply network. •    Managing the quality feedback loops to ensure lessons learned on quality defects are applied across the supply base. •    Driving Value Analysis and Value Engineering (VAVE) through cost modeling, design for manufacturability, and leveraging suppliers’ capabilities. Degree Requirement Degree or equivalent experience desired 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 Working Knowledge:  •    Applies an assigned technique for data-driven thinking in a Decision-Making process. •    Discerns between "signal" and "noise" when interpreting data. •    Identifies, obtains, and organizes relevant data and ideas. •    Participates in the process of choosing KPIs and metrics to influence decisions. •    Utilizes the basic data collection and evaluation tools and techniques. Analytical Thinking: 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. Level Working Knowledge:  •    Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue and determining its significance. •    Makes a systematic comparison of two or more alternative solutions. •    Uses flow charts, Pareto charts, fish diagrams, etc. to disclose meaningful data patterns. •    Identifies the major forces, events and people impacting and impacted by the situation at hand. •    Uses logic and intuition to make inferences about the meaning of the data and arrive at conclusions. 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 Working Knowledge:  •    Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors without offending the recipient. •    Listens to feedback without defensiveness and uses it for own communication effectiveness. •    Makes oral presentations and writes reports needed for own work. •    Avoids technical jargon when inappropriate. •    Looks for and considers non-verbal cues from individuals and groups. Interpersonal Relationships: Knowledge of the techniques and the