At Caterpillar, we're working to help our customers build a better, more sustainable world. We wouldn’t be the Caterpillar we are today without the exceptionally talented, bright and driven people who get the job done. This is your chance to help us make progress possible around the world – for our customers, for growing communities and for every member of our team. We are looking for a dynamic, organized self-starter to join our Product Support and Logistics Division as Category Buyer Ocean Transportation.

The Product Support and Logistics Division (PSLD) is one of the most innovative divisions within Caterpillar. In PSLD, as within all of Caterpillar, our priority is our customers and helping them build a better world. We touch nearly every element of the services value stream from procurement to design and manufacturing to distribution. PSLD is responsible for Aftermarket Parts Distribution of Cat Parts, Integrated Logistics, segment Procurement and the design and manufacture of Wear Components (Undercarriage and GET) and Maintenance Components (Seals, Tubes & Hardware, Hose & Couplings, Fluids and Filters).

We’re committed to our customers, who build a better world with our products, services and solutions. We understand and show the value of why they should always choose us. We’re exploring new ideas and opportunities – innovating to discover the breakthroughs necessary for tomorrow’s growth.

Through it all, we are one team – creating and delivering world-class components and solutions superior to the competition.

Learn more about the Caterpillar Experience

This position will be responsible for the procurement of ocean transportation - RoRo / Break Bulk / Project Cargo. This is a global role that works with operations team to define business requirements and drive global carrier strategy that supports overall organizational objectives. Key work activities include managing a network of global transportation providers, strategic sourcing to meet operational objectives, bidding process, contracts administration and driving carrier performance.

Key Job functions include but not limited to:

• Procure ocean freight transportation services that meet Caterpillar’s complex global operational and procurement standard requirements. Key focus around strategic sourcing to ensure capacity, service and market price objectives are met.

• Lead global contract negotiations with transportation providers to achieve service and price that meet operational objectives and in accordance with Cat’s long-term carrier strategy.

• Work with operations to define business requirements (statements of work), incorporate requirements into bid tool and executes competitive bid/RFP.

• Establish service provider selection criteria and evaluate those service provider’s capabilities against these criteria.

• Work with Caterpillar’s legal services to ensure that all carrier contracts provide Caterpillar with appropriate legal protections.

• Act as commercial escalation for unresolved carrier issues.

• Drives carrier performance, as defined by operations, to ensure carriers are accountable for meeting service commitments.

• Track market rates using analytical tools and communicate those market trends through summary reports to appropriate management and key business units on a regular basis.

• Ensure carrier cost drivers are understood and communicated as needed.

• Work with service providers to establish quarterly / half-yearly / annual business reviews and ensure those business reviews are held with appropriate business units.

• Drive visibility of transportation rates/services through new or existing technology platforms / rate cloud

Basic Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree and experience in purchasing, logistics, supply chain, or transportation operations.

• Data Analytics: Knowledge of techniques and processes for inspecting, cleansing, transforming, and modeling data; ability to discover useful information, draw logical conclusions, and support decision-making.

• 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. Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors and listens to feedback, uses it for own communication effectiveness. Makes oral presentations and develops slide decks as needed

• Interpersonal Relationships: Knowledge of the techniques and the ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner.

• 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. Works to achieve win-win in negotiations and focuses on issues. Uses active listening and probing techniques to surface problems, issues, and interests. Demonstrates a willingness to examine one's position, presents one's position and listens attentively to the position of others.

• 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.

• Purchasing Tasks and Activities: Knowledge of policies, regulations and processes of purchasing; ability to use practices and procedures for procurement of materials, components, equipment and services.

• 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.

• Strategic Sourcing: Knowledge of strategic sourcing methods, technologies and processes; ability to analyze, improve and re-evaluate organizational procurement process continuously.
  

Additional Information

This position requires 25% or less travel

No relocation is offered for this role

Final Details

Please frequently check the email associated with your application, including the junk/spam folder, as this is the primary correspondence method. If you wish to know the status of your application – please use the candidate log-in on our career website as it will reflect any updates to your status.

Relocation assistance is not available for this position. Any relocation costs incurred would be the responsibility of the selected applicant. #Li