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. Role 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 ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner. Level Working Knowledge: • Explains impact of interactions with individuals and groups. • Identifies roles and responsibilities for self and others. • Demonstrates an understanding of alternative points of view. • Collaborates with departmental associates and management. • Adapts interaction style to situations and people. Cost-Benefit Analysis: Knowledge of the principles and tools used in cost-benefit analysis; ability to analyze the purpose and scope of a producer, product, process, or project in terms of cost and benefits. Level Working Knowledge: • Follows organizational guidelines and procedures for conducting a cost-benefit analysis. • Participates in the development of a cost-benefit analysis. • Calculates common measurements such as NPV and ROI. • Documents and measures direct and indirect costs and projected benefits. • Resolves common errors or omissions in developing the analysis. Supplier Management - MFG: Knowledge of processes and methods to effectively manage business relationships and transactions with suppliers of raw materials or product components; ability to apply related knowledge, experience and skills into real practice. Level Working Knowledge: • Follows procedures in carrying out routine supplier management tasks. • Uses electronic systems or tools to record/retrieve supplier information and carry out transactions with suppliers. • Resolves routine supplier issues; escalates non-routine issues up chain of command. • Researches alternative vendors or suppliers; participates in supplier selection. • Works with suppliers to ensure that purchases meet delivery date and quality specifications. 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. Supply Chain Management: Knowledge of functions, principles and techniques used in supply chain management; ability to develop and implement strategies, practices and tools for controlling the whole processes. Level Working Knowledge: • Recognizes software systems or components used to manage supply chain. • Participates in supply chain analysis and uses it to spot trends and improvement opportunities. • Discusses considerations for integrating partner and supplier transactions. • Summarizes supply chain considerations for different types of products. • Works with a specific part of supply chain management process. This Job Description is intended as a general guide to the job duties for this position and is intended for the purpose of establishing the specific salary grade. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive summary of all responsibilities, duties and effort required of employees assigned to this job. At the discretion of management, this description may be changed at any time to address the evolving needs of the organization. It is expressly not intended to be a comprehensive list of “essential job functions” as that term is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. This position requires working onsite five days a week. Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. Posting Dates: November 11, 2026 - November 29, 2026 Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.