Regional Category Procurement Manager

**Career Area:**:Purchasing & Procurement

**Job Description:**:Italy

Caterpillar Mec-Track Valsamoggia Loc. Bazzano (Bologna)

JOB PURPOSE: To manage the relationship between Caterpillar, and the European regional supply base, and interface with Product Supply personnel in region, including filling the functional escalation seat for commercial discussions/negotiations with regional suppliers

JOB DUTIES: Execute a regional category strategy that is align with the global category plan. Work with the regional supply base to identify performance gaps based on specific metrics/targets established from the Product and Facility supply organization based on collaboration with the Category to develop improvement plans. In addition, they will be the recognized experts for his or her assigned Category or Categories in region, and the leader of the execution of global Category strategies within region while driving performance excellence in Quality, Cost, Logistics, Development, and Management (QCLDM) in region. All activities must be aligned to the global category strategies.

People: - This person will manage a high performing team of purchasing professionals who will develop and ensure the supplier base is capable of meeting the specific products’ Quality, Cost, Logistics, Delivery, Management (QCLDM) requirements. Reporting directly to this position are various of the following; Procurement Supervisors, Buyers, Supplier Development Engineers, and/or Supply Network Analyst.

Leadership - Develop, mentor, and train personnel capable of delivering the regional supplier strategy for the assigned category that is aligned with the overall global supplier strategy. Adhere to the approved Performance Management Plan. Maintain the highest ethical and professional standards within this diverse global organization and recognize employee excellence.

Strategy - Through a strong knowledge of the product, NPI, and Category Strategies the incumbent will sponsor, support and participate in both the category and divisional initiatives. Use QCLDM to manage regional suppliers and subcontractors in agreement with Global Category organization. Lead teams to fully understand the requirements and performance of the supply base.

BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE:

- Previous procurement experience required
- Bachelor’s degree - or equivalent experience required
- A minimum of eight to ten years of progressively responsible job-related experience.
- Able to acquire an understanding of governmental, environmental, political, and geographic factors that influence a supply base.
- Professional certification in Purchasing and/or Inventory Management preferred, e.g.; Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.), Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) and Certified in Integration Resource Management (CIRM), or comparable international certification is preferred.
- Affiliation with Institute for Supply Management (ISM) and American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS), or comparable professional purchasing organization, preferred.
- Proficiency in English is required; Local site language preferred
- Previous 6 Sigma Greenbelt/Black Belt experience preferred
- Facility with lean manufacturing, an understanding of lean principles is preferred
- Product Supply Purchasing experience preferred
- Incumbent must have well-developed communication and negotiation skills
- This employer is not currently hiring foreign national applicants without a valid work permit for Italy.- Relocation assistance is not offered for this position.Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO).

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