Category Buyer

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:
We are seeking a skilled Category Buyer to join the Indirect Purchasing-Global Finance Services Division. The buyer will support the services categories: Global Travel and Fleet Category and Programs, HR, Consulting, and Marketing Categories

What you’ll do:

To serve as the primary contact between Caterpillar and the supply base for global initiatives, including filling the functional seat for commercial discussions/negotiations with suppliers, being the recognized expert for his or her assigned portion or professional services categories, including global travel and fleet category and supporting the development and execution of global travel services and fleet category strategies.

Other key aspects of the role are as follows:

• Category Management: Help to manage the global supplier relationship including but not limited to supplier relationship management, supplier performance management, cost management, risk management, and category network management. Develop and implement global and regional category strategies for travel services (e.g., air, hotel, ground transportation, travel management companies), fleet management, and various other professional services categories. Align category plans with business needs, stakeholder expectations, and corporate social responsibility goals. Monitor market trends and innovations to identify cost-saving opportunities and service improvements. Responsible to managing policies, agreements, source catalogues, and special procurement programs.
• Strategic Sourcing: Lead end-to-end sourcing processes including RFI/RFP preparation, supplier evaluation, negotiation, and contract implementation.
  Ensure robust governance and stakeholder engagement throughout sourcing activities.

• Supplier Relationship Management: Manage strategic travel suppliers to ensure service delivery, issue resolution, and continuous improvement.
  - Conduct regular performance reviews and maintain strong vendor partnerships.
• Leadership: Lead continuous improvement initiatives activities within Purchasing. Demonstrate leadership in recognizing the potential for cost reductions, and quality improvement, as well as responsibility for soundness of business proposals and risk assessment. Promote the highest level of professionalism and business ethics.

• Accountability and Management: Be able to handle a substantial flow of projects with challenging/expedited deadlines. Actively facilitate and manage procurement from start to finish with a hands-on approach. Working efficiently with internal BU Stakeholders, Service Owners, CRM teams, Subject Matter Experts, Legal, Tax as well as others to integrate business requirements into procurement decisions. Facilitate cross-functional alignment and support change management initiatives.
• Contract & Data Management: Negotiate and manage supplier contracts in coordination with legal teams. Define and track KPIs, savings delivery, and supplier performance metrics. Analyze fragmented spend data to support strategic decisions and reporting.

Education Required:

• Educations: Bachelor’s Degree (preferably in Business, Finance, Purchasing/Supply Chain, Law or related field)
• English: Proficient

In this role, you will have the opportunity to bring your unique skills and experiences to the table.

Below are some of the most important skills that are required in this position:

Strategic Sourcing :

• 3+ years in insourcing or procurement roles, with focus on professional services categories, or serving as a Travel Manager; exposure to global sourcing is preferred.

• Support and execute sourcing and buying activities within assigned categories, ensuring alignment with business needs.
• Demonstrate strong understanding of category deliverables, savings commitments, milestones, and obligations, translating them into actionable sourcing plans.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Manage and optimize supplier performance, ensuring contract compliance, continuous improvement, innovation, and reduction of total cost of ownership (TCO).
• Build collaborative working relationships with suppliers to resolve issues and drive service improvement.
• Participate in supplier reviews, tracking performance, risks, and opportunities.

Negotiating :

• Analyze, interpret, and negotiate contractual and commercial cost elements with internal and external stakeholders.
• Participate in negotiations supporting favorable and sustainable outcomes.
• Balance cost, quality, and service considerations.

Contracts Management and Administration :

• Administer and monitor contracts in line with organizational policies and procedures.

• Review contract terms to ensure alignment with legal, regulatory, and commercial requirements.
• Maintain organized contract documentation and supplier records.

Data Analysis:

• Apply analytical, problem-solving, and project support skills to sourcing and procurement initiatives.
• Analyze financial, operational, and performance data to support buying decisions.
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities based on structured data analysis.

Effective Communication

• Act as an effective communicator, building trusted and collaborative relationships across a matrix organization and supplier network.
• Adapt messages, presentations, and documentation to different audiences.
• Influence stakeholders while maintaining focus on objectives.

Interpersonal Relationships:

• Demonstrate well-developed interpersonal skills, acting with integrity in complex or sensitive situations.
• Mediate discussions and support consensus-building in group and cross-functional environments.
• Collaborate effectively with internal teams and external partners.

Purchasing Tasks and Activities :

• Use procurement systems and tools to execute purchasing and sourcing activities.

• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, procedures, and contractual requirements.
• Accurately document purchasing activities and maintain audit-ready records.

Autonomy & Ownership

• Demonstrate a proactive mindset and motivation to perform effectively in an autonomous working environment.
• Manage priorities and assigned sourcing activities with accountability.

The best candidates will also have:

• Knowing Guided Buy, Next Gen, and Concur Travel and Expense systems would be preferred.

Additional information:

• This position requires working onsite five days a week and the location is Monterrey
• Relocation Assistance is available for this position.

Final details:

Please frequently check the email associated with your request, including the spam/junk folder, as this is the primary correspondence method. If you would like to know the status of your application, please use the candidate login on our employment website as it will reflect any updates on your status.

The Caterpillar Code of Conduct states that we will select and place personnel based on their qualifications for the work to be performed, without regard to race, religion, national origin, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or disability. In this company we do not request pregnancy tests, nor HIV tests as requirements for entry, permanence or job promotion.

Posting Dates:

July 21, 2026 - July 28, 2026

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