Product Procurement Engineer

Product Procurement Engineer

Full-Time 57700 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Caterpillar

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage part sourcing and collaborate with teams to ensure quality and cost-effectiveness.
  • Company: Join Caterpillar, a global leader in construction and mining equipment.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, bonuses, private medical, and a contributory pension scheme.
  • Other info: Dynamic work environment with limitless career opportunities and a commitment to sustainability.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable projects while building your career.
  • Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong communication skills are essential.

The predicted salary is between 57700 - 72000 £ 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. 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.

The Opportunity: As a Product Procurement Engineer, you’ll play a pivotal role within Caterpillar, representing the Electrical, Electronics and Drivetrain categories managing part sourcing, development, and quality feedback loops across New Product Introduction (NPI), Continuous Product Improvement (CPI), and New Source Introduction (NSI). You’ll work closely with Engineering, Procurement and Supply Chain teams, while also engaging directly with suppliers to ensure alignment. The role ensures category strategy is clearly defined and executed, delivering parts with the right quality, total cost and timing to meet business and customer requirements.

As a Product Procurement Engineer, you will be responsible for, but not limited to:

  • Develop, implement and maintain category-specific KPIs, providing clear reporting and insights to Category and Programme Leadership.
  • Collaborate with Design Control Engineering, Value Chain Engineering, Procurement, Quality and Supply Chain to define and execute global product supply strategies aligned to category objectives.
  • Drive Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VA/VE) through cost modelling, Design for Manufacturability (DFM), and effective utilisation of supplier capability.
  • Contribute within a global team to develop and implement standardised processes across sourcing, quality improvement, cost management and capacity planning.
  • Manage quality feedback loops, ensuring lessons learned are captured, shared and consistently applied to improve supplier performance.
  • Represent category performance at NPI and APQP gateways, working with suppliers and cross-functional teams to resolve quality, cost and delivery issues and drive continuous improvement.

What You Can Demonstrate:

  • Effective Communications: Communicates clearly and confidently with suppliers and cross-functional stakeholders, influencing technical and commercial decisions to achieve alignment on quality, cost and delivery outcomes.
  • Strategic Sourcing: Develops and executes category and sourcing strategies, managing supplier agreements, sourcing pipelines and procurement programmes to deliver competitive and sustainable outcomes.
  • Cost Benefit Analysis: Identifies and delivers cost, quality and efficiency improvements through structured analysis, supporting DFM/DFA and maximising the use of supplier capability.
  • Data Driven Decision Making: Evaluates business proposals using data, cost analysis and risk assessment, ensuring decisions are robust and escalating risks appropriately to Category Leadership.

Top candidates will also have:

  • Works directly with suppliers to support part development, resolve quality and delivery issues, and ensure products meet specification, escalating higher-risk concerns where required.
  • Makes informed sourcing decisions by balancing cost, contractual terms, risk exposure and long-term value to protect quality, delivery and commercial outcomes.
  • Applies quality standards, governance and continuous improvement methods to drive consistent product quality and supplier performance.
  • Anticipates and incorporates external factors (regulatory, environmental, geopolitical) into sourcing decisions to enhance resilience and mitigate supply risk.

What You Will Get: One Company, Limitless Opportunities. Caterpillar 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. We do business on every continent, principally operating through three primary segments – Construction Industries, Resource Industries, and Energy & Transportation – and providing financing and related services through our Financial Products segment. Careers at Caterpillar are limitless, we have opportunities in Engineering, Human Resources, Manufacturing, Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain and so much more. You can create the career you want. It’s your time and talent, make it count.

Our Sustainability Commitment: Caterpillar has a long-standing commitment to sustainability, one of our five Values in Action. It is part of who we are and what we do. We actively lead sustainable green initiatives to preserve the environment, help reduce poverty with the Caterpillar Foundation and stay involved in the communities we help build.

Benefits: 27 days annual leave + bank holidays, opportunity to buy additional holiday, 12% Bonus, Private Medical, 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, Employee Support Networks – join groups that offer support, connection, and a sense of community, optional flexible benefits including access to private health and dental care plans, EV car lease etc. Travel: up to 25% Globally. This position requires working onsite five days a week.

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

Product Procurement Engineer employer: Caterpillar

Caterpillar Inc. is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and growth of its employees while fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture. Located in Desford, Leicestershire, the company offers a range of benefits including generous annual leave, a competitive bonus structure, and opportunities for professional development across various fields. With a strong commitment to sustainability and community engagement, Caterpillar empowers its workforce to make a meaningful impact in building a better world.

Caterpillar

Contact Details:

Caterpillar Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Product Procurement Engineer

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Caterpillar on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews! Research common questions for Product Procurement Engineers and practice your answers. We want you to feel confident and ready to showcase your skills and experience.

Tip Number 3

Show off your passion for sustainability! Caterpillar values this, so be sure to highlight any relevant experiences or projects that demonstrate your commitment to creating a better world.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Caterpillar team.

We think you need these skills to ace Product Procurement Engineer

Effective Communication
Strategic Sourcing
Cost Benefit Analysis
Data Driven Decision Making
Supplier Management
Quality Standards Application
Continuous Improvement Methods

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Product Procurement Engineer role. Highlight relevant experience and skills that match the job description, especially in procurement and supplier management.

Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've improved processes or saved costs in previous roles to demonstrate your impact.

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. Avoid jargon and make sure your points are easy to understand. We want to see your qualifications without wading through unnecessary fluff!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s straightforward and ensures your application goes directly to us, making it easier for us to review your credentials.

How to prepare for a job interview at Caterpillar

Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of the Product Procurement Engineer role. Familiarise yourself with key concepts like Value Analysis/Value Engineering and Design for Manufacturability. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show that you're genuinely interested in the position.

Showcase Your Communication Skills

Effective communication is crucial in this role. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with cross-functional teams or suppliers in the past. Be ready to discuss how you influenced decisions and resolved conflicts, as this will demonstrate your ability to align stakeholders on quality, cost, and delivery outcomes.

Bring Data to the Table

Since data-driven decision-making is a big part of this job, come prepared with examples of how you've used data analysis in previous roles. Whether it's cost modelling or risk assessment, having concrete examples will illustrate your analytical skills and your ability to make informed sourcing decisions.

Emphasise Continuous Improvement

Caterpillar values sustainability and continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss how you've applied quality standards and governance in your past work. Share specific instances where you've driven improvements in supplier performance or product quality, as this aligns perfectly with the company's commitment to building a better world.