At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategies for unformed steel and manage supplier relationships.
- Company: Join Caterpillar, a global leader in construction and mining equipment, committed to sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25+ days leave, bonuses, car allowance, and flexible health benefits.
- Why this job: Be part of a team shaping a sustainable future while developing your career in procurement.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and a degree or equivalent experience preferred.
- Other info: UK/European travel up to 50% required; local facility presence needed 5 days a week.
The predicted salary is between 52500 - 68000 £ per year.
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. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.
Salary: £63,567 - £68,000 (depending on experience)
Location: Peterlee, Stafford or Shrewsbury.
Benefits: Min. 25 days annual leave, plus Bank Holidays. Up to 18% Bonus Monthly Car Allowance - £600pcm Contributory pension scheme - Caterpillar will double the employee's contribution Up to 10% Contributory share scheme - Caterpillar will match 50% of the employee's contribution. Optional flexible benefits including access to health and dental care plans, EV car lease, holiday purchase.
The Opportunity: We are seeking an established Procurement Manager buyer to join our team with energy, capability and the desire to research, assess and deliver strategic sourcing plans along with driving execution, for a wide range of unformed steel, while managing productive commercial relationships with our current supply base. Collaborating with our global purchasing colleagues to deliver a unified, competitive, risk mitigated, 5-year strategy. This integral role manages the function and staff responsible for procurement of materials and services needed in the steel manufacturing process.
What You Will Do:
- Defining and communicating rules for supplier bids and managing high-impact purchases.
- Evaluating the qualification of suppliers and negotiating prices relative to Unformed Flat Steel.
- Managing daily activities associated with requesting quotes, issuing purchase orders, invoice/contract approval, grief resolution, job instruction, vendor contacts, supplier quality/delivery, record keeping and all other purchasing related activities.
- Assessing purchasing decisions through the analysis of historical and market information; recommending improvements.
- Managing the quality of purchased goods and services based on specified requirements.
- Solving major supplier related problems.
- Managing two Associate Procurement Professionals.
You will be extensively skilled in the following:
- 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.
- 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.
- Business Intelligence: Knowledge of business intelligence; ability to utilize business processes and technologies for gathering, storing, analyzing, and providing access to data that helps the organization make better business decisions.
- Category Management: Knowledge of category management within an organization's goods and services sector; ability to use this knowledge to analyze and improve the end-to-end procurement process and maximize business profitability.
- Supplier Management: 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.
- 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.
Top Candidates may demonstrate:
- Supervisory/leadership experience
- Understanding of steel transformation processes – or other commodity processes
- Experience within other commodities such as plastic, aluminium
- Highly competent user of excel and/or other analytical data tools (PBI/Alteryx etc)
- Understanding of SAP (or other MRP systems)
- Degree or equivalent experience desired
Additional Details: UK/European Travel up to 50% of the time, during busy periods. When not travelling this role is required to be in their local facility 5 days a week.
About Caterpillar: Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For nearly 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.
NB: The panel cannot make assumptions when shortlisting therefore please demonstrate your qualifications and experience on your CV relevant to the criteria outlined. Pending the number of applications, the criteria for the position may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting.
Posting Dates: March 18, 2025 - March 25, 2025
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO).
Procurement Manager (Steel) employer: Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation
Contact Detail:
Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Manager (Steel)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the steel industry and its procurement processes. Understanding the nuances of unformed flat steel and the suppliers in this sector will give you an edge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the procurement field, especially those who have experience in steel or similar commodities. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to build connections that could help you learn more about the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your negotiation skills. Since the role involves negotiating prices and managing supplier relationships, showcasing your ability to negotiate effectively can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your analytical skills by preparing examples of how you've used data to make purchasing decisions in the past. Being able to discuss your experience with tools like Excel or SAP will be beneficial.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Manager (Steel)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure to customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in procurement, particularly in steel or similar commodities. Emphasise your skills in supplier management, negotiation, and category management as these are crucial for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for procurement and your understanding of Caterpillar's mission. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships or executed strategic sourcing plans in the past.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, clearly outline your proficiency in business intelligence tools and any experience with SAP or other MRP systems. Caterpillar values analytical skills, so be sure to mention your competence in Excel and data analysis tools.
Follow Application Instructions: Carefully read the job posting and ensure you include all requested information and documents. Caterpillar's panel cannot make assumptions, so explicitly demonstrate how your qualifications meet the criteria outlined in the job description.
How to prepare for a job interview at Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
As a Procurement Manager, negotiation is key. Prepare examples of successful negotiations you've led in the past, focusing on how you achieved favourable outcomes for your organisation while maintaining strong supplier relationships.
✨Demonstrate Effective Communication
Effective communication is crucial in this role. Be ready to discuss how you've used various communication tools and techniques to convey ideas clearly and resolve conflicts with suppliers or team members.
✨Highlight Your Analytical Abilities
Caterpillar values business intelligence. Prepare to discuss how you've used data analysis to inform purchasing decisions, improve procurement processes, or assess supplier performance in previous roles.
✨Understand the Steel Industry
Familiarise yourself with the steel transformation processes and current market trends. Being knowledgeable about the industry will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your commitment to the role.