Caterpillar Inc.
Category Buyer (Metal Components)
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Career Area: Procurement
Job Title: Category Buyer (Metal Components)
Job Summary
Your work shapes the world at Caterpillar Inc. When you join us, you’re joining a global team dedicated to progress, innovation, and sustainable solutions. We don’t just talk about building the future—we make it happen.
Role Basics
- Salary: £57,700 to £72,000 (based on skills and experience)
- Contract: Full-time & permanent
- Location: Desford, Leicestershire
- Working Hours: Onsite five days a week
- Position Duration: June 30, 2026 – July 14, 2026 (open until filled)
About the Role
As a Category Buyer (Metal Components), you will drive value, cost efficiency, and supplier performance by developing and delivering category strategies that impact quality, cost, logistics, development, and supply continuity.
You will collaborate closely with suppliers, internal teams, and stakeholders to:
- Strengthen the supply network
- Mitigate risk effectively
- Deliver sustainable commercial outcomes
Key Responsibilities
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Category Strategy & Insights
- Support the delivery of category strategies
- Provide market knowledge and insights to ensure continuous improvement
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Sourcing & Supplier Engagement
- Lead or contribute to supplier selection, negotiations, and contract implementation
- Proactively manage supplier performance, resolving challenges and driving improvements
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Relationship Management
- Build strong working relationships with both internal stakeholders and external suppliers
- Align procurement activities with business needs to ensure operational success
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Risk & Continuity Management
- Maintain supply chain continuity through proactive risk management and supplier engagement
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Compliance & Documentation
- Ensure accurate procurement documentation and compliance with internal policies
What You Can Demonstrate
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** Crucial Qualities (Level: Working Knowledge)**
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Effective Communication
- Clearly and confidently communicate with suppliers and internal stakeholders
- Adapt messaging to negotiations, alignment, and decision-making
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Strong Interpersonal Relationships
- Build trusting, influential relationships across different functions
- Manage priorities, expectations, and credibility in a collaborative environment
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Strategic Sourcing
- Apply principles of strategic sourcing to negotiations, contracting, and supplier selection
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Supplier Relationship Management
- Develop and maintain strong supplier partnerships
- Resolve performance issues and address challenges collaboratively
What You May Have
Additional capabilities that will strengthen your application:
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Metal Supply & Manufacturing Knowledge
- A deep understanding of metal component supply and manufacturing to inform sourcing decisions
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Commercial Judgement
- The ability to balance cost, quality, and risk in negotiations
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Cross-Team & Cross-Geographic Collaboration
- Experience working across teams and geographies to align supplier capabilities with business needs
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Data-Driven Decision Making
- Proficiency in using cost, market, and performance data to drive continuous improvement
Note on Shortlisting
Panels cannot make assumptions when reviewing applications. To strengthen your application, clearly demonstrate qualifications and experience on your CV aligned with the above criteria.
Proactive note: Applications are reviewed as they come in. Do not delay applying.
What You Will Get – Benefits & Culture
Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, engines, turbines, and more. Operating across three key sectors:
- Construction Industries
- Resource Industries
- Energy & Transportation (Additionally, a Financial Products segment provides tailored services.)
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Career Opportunities
Careers at Caterpillar offer limitless potential—whether in engineering, human resources, supply chain, or beyond. You can shape the role you want here.
Sustainability Commitment
Sustainability is core to Caterpillar’s identity, embedded in our five Values in Action. We:
- Lead green initiatives to protect the environment
- Partner with the Caterpillar Foundation to reduce poverty
- Invest deeply in the communities we serve
Employee Perks
- Leave: 27 days annual leave + bank holidays, plus an additional holiday purchase option
- Bonus: 10% company bonus
- Pension: Doubled (up to 10%) company contribution
- Long-Term Savings Plan: Share matching scheme (1:1 ratio)
- Employee Networks: Dedicated support and community-building groups
- Flexible Benefits: Private health and dental plans, EV car leasing, etc.
- Travel: Up to 25% for global travel (for eligible roles)
Why Join Caterpillar?
We hire people who are smart and friendly, fostering a culture built on:
✔ Integrity & Excellence in everything we do ✔ Teamwork & Commitment—collaboration makes progress possible ✔ Sustainability—our core value and impact
We ensure our employees are continuously challenged and supported, with growth opportunities including leadership programs. Diversity is celebrated, while unity fuels our mission.
Person by person, we build the future we aspire to.
Caterpillar in Summary
It’s a shared responsibility—our employees shape our company culture. Join us and help build a future where progress benefits everyone.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Qualified applicants of all ages are encouraged to apply.
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