Procurement Specialist - Indirect Procurement

Career Area:

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.

Job Description:
Solar Turbines Incorporated is hiring for the role of Procurement Specialist within the Indirect Purchasing organization.

Career Area: Purchasing & Procurement

What You’ll Do (Job Duties):
Responsible for procurement and management of assigned commodities supporting Engineering Services, contingent and temporary labor, university research agreements, and related indirect categories.

• Lead commercial negotiations for engineering services, contingent labor, research agreements, and other indirect service contracts.

• Develop sourcing, contracting, and supplier management strategies that align with Engineering objectives and business requirements.

• Manage supplier performance, service-level agreements (SLAs), compliance requirements, and risk mitigation activities across assigned suppliers.

• Collaborate with Engineering teams to develop RFPs, define SOW requirements, evaluate proposals, and execute supplier agreements.

• Support procurement execution activities, including purchase order management, contract administration, invoice resolution, and supplier onboarding.

What You Have (Core Skills):

• Procurement & Cost Management: Experience developing sourcing strategies, conducting Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analyses, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and executing procurement activities that support business objectives.

• Negotiation: Proven experience leading commercial negotiations for engineering services, contingent labor, and other indirect spend categories, including pricing, rate structures, liability provisions, intellectual property protections, and service-level commitments.

• Supplier Management: Ability to develop and maintain strategic supplier relationships, drive supplier performance, implement governance processes, and mitigate commercial, operational, and compliance risks.

• Category Management: Experience supporting category strategy development through spend analysis, market intelligence, supplier evaluation, and sourcing initiatives that drive cost savings and business value.

• Matrix Management: Ability to collaborate effectively across multiple functions and organizational levels, building strong stakeholder relationships while balancing competing priorities to achieve business objectives.

• Data Analytics: Experience collecting, analyzing, and interpreting procurement and business data to identify trends, measure performance, support decision-making, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

• Contract Management: Demonstrated ability to negotiate, administer, and manage complex commercial agreements, including Master Service Agreements (MSAs), statements of Work (SOWs), Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), and other contractual documents throughout the contract lifecycle.

Additional Details:

• Work location:  San Diego, CA (Harbor Drive facility)

• Relocation assistance IS NOT available for this position

• Visa sponsorship IS NOT available for this position

• This position requires working onsite 5 days per week (Mon-Fri)

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree with strong experience in the Purchasing & Procurement job function

• Fluent in Business English in written and oral form

Top Candidates Will Also Have:

• Bachelor's degree with at least 7-9 years, or Master’s degree with at least 5-7 years, of purchasing and procurement experience

• Experience in managing complex and long-term contractual agreements (various contract types including Master Agreements, Schedules, Statements of Work, Terms and Conditions, Non-Disclosure Agreements)

• Experience in interpreting and negotiating contractual elements, both legal and commercial in nature (including Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Data Privacy, Indemnification, Limit of Liability, Warranty)

• Work independently on complex assignments; anticipate problems and provide solutions in a professional, logical and expedited manner

• Experience in the development of long-term supplier relationships and strategic sourcing strategies

• Sound analytical skills and problem-solving ability

• Solid communication skills, high initiative, assertiveness, and organizational skills

• Strong knowledge of generally accepted purchasing practices and policies

• Ability to function well in a team environment

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.

Summary Pay Range:

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar. 

Benefits:

Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits*

• Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*

• 401(k) savings plans*

• Health Savings Account (HSA)*

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*

• Health Lifestyle Programs*

• Employee Assistance Program*

• Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*

• Career Development*

• Incentive bonus*

• Disability benefits

• Life Insurance

• Parental leave

• Adoption benefits

• Tuition Reimbursement

* These benefits also apply to part-time employees

Posting Dates:

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.  Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.

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