Product Procurement Engineer

Caterpillar Inc

Tucson, AZ

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$97,530–$146,290 Per Year
SKILLS
APICS (Association for Operations Management), Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Analysis Skills, Budget Management, Business Growth, Career Development, Category Management, Caterpillar Equipment, Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.), Certified in Integrated Resource Management (CIRM), Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM), Communication Skills, Continuous Improvement, Control Engineering, Cost Control, Cost Modeling, Cross-Functional, Customer Support/Service, Data Analysis, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), Heavy Equipment/Vehicles, Hydraulic Engineering, Interpersonal Skills, Lean Manufacturing, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Design, Manufacturing Engineering, Market Research, Materials Planning, Mechanical Engineering, Metrics, Mine Construction, Mine Operations, Mining Equipment and Machinery, Mining Industry, Mining Shovels, Network System Hardware, Order/Customer Fulfillment, Performance Analysis, Performance Metrics, Performance Reviews, Problem Solving Skills, Process Improvement, Procurement Management, Procurement Strategy, Product Engineering, Product Strategy, Product Support, Product/Service Launch, Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Purchase Orders, Purchasing/Procurement, Quality Management, Root Cause Analysis, SAP ECC (fka SAP R/3 and SAP ERP), Sales, Sales Support, Sourcing Strategy, Structured Data, Supplier Optimization, Supplier Relationship Management (SRM), Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Technical Presentation, Technical Strategy, Technical/Engineering Design, Time Management, Total Cost of Ownership, Value Analysis, Value Chain Model, Value Engineering, Vendor/Supplier Evaluation, Vendor/Supplier Management, Vendor/Supplier Quality Management, Vendor/Supplier Relations, Vendor/Supplier Selection, Willing to Travel
LOCATION
Tucson, AZ
POSTED
9 days ago

Career Area:

Procurement

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.

As a Product Procurement Engineer (PPE), you will own the end-to-end delivery of aftermarket and engineered-to-order (ETO) parts for Electric Rope Shovels, Draglines, and Hydraulic Mining Shovels, some of the most complex equipment in the mining industry. You will work directly with suppliers to secure quotes, track execution, support dealer proposals, and drive purchase order fulfillment, partnering across Engineering, Value Chain, Product Support, Commercial Sales, and Procurement.

In addition, you will work closely with the Commercial Sales Team to develop and provide accurate quotations for customers and dealers, ensuring timely, competitive, and technically sound proposals. You will also participate in supplier selection, supplier performance management, and supplier development activities to build a capable, responsive, and cost-effective supply base. This role blends supplier management, technical collaboration, strategic sourcing, and commercial execution, ensuring parts are delivered on time, within budget, and with high quality in a low-volume, high-complexity environment with a wide project scope.

What makes this role exciting:

This role offers true end-to-end ownership, giving you direct impact from supplier engagement through delivery in a highly visible aftermarket environment. You will help shape and develop an optimized supplier network while improving equipment uptime, part availability, quality, and total cost of ownership for mission-critical mining operations. With exposure to suppliers, engineering, commercial sales, and cross-functional teams, you'll lead execution on complex, high-value opportunities while balancing hands-on project delivery with strategic influence, a rare combination in procurement engineering. Through close partnership with the Commercial Sales Team and supplier base, you'll play a key role in supporting customer solutions, driving business growth, and continuously improving supplier capabilities and performance.

What you will do:

  • Manage part development and quality feedback loops for New Product Introduction (NPI), Continuous Product Improvement (CPI), and New Source Introduction (NSI) activities.

  • Lead Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and cost management from concept through PPAP to ensure delivery of parts that meet quality, cost, and timeline targets.

  • Implement product supply strategies aligned with category management to develop and integrate a world-class supply network.

  • Drive Value Analysis and Value Engineering (VAVE) through cost modeling, design for manufacturability, and supplier capability leverage.

  • Manage quality feedback loops to ensure lessons learned are applied across the supply base.

  • Collaborate with suppliers, design control engineers, value chain engineering, and procurement category teams.

What skills you have:

  • Supplier Management - Manufacturing: Manages supplier relationships to ensure quality, cost, and delivery targets are met. Participates in supplier selection, performance reviews, and issue resolution.

  • Strategic Sourcing: Supports strategic sourcing through market research, data analysis, and supplier evaluation. Contributes to continuous improvement of sourcing processes and alignment with category strategies.

  • Data-Driven Decision Making: Applies structured thinking and data analysis to support sourcing decisions, cost modeling, and supplier performance evaluations. Uses KPIs and metrics to influence procurement strategies and quality improvements.

  • Effective Communication: Communicates clearly with suppliers and internal stakeholders. Delivers constructive feedback, presents technical and cost data effectively, and adapts messaging for cross-functional audiences.

  • Supply Chain Management: Understands supply chain systems and processes. Participates in supply chain analysis and supports integration of supplier capabilities with product and engineering requirements.

  • Analytical Thinking: Uses tools like Pareto charts and root cause analysis to evaluate supplier issues, cost drivers, and quality trends. Compares sourcing alternatives and identifies optimal solutions for cost and quality.

  • Interpersonal Relationships: Collaborates across engineering, supply chain, and supplier teams. Builds trust and alignment through active listening, empathy, and shared problem-solving.

Top candidates will also have:

  • Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related discipline

  • Experience working within lean manufacturing environments, with a strong understanding of continuous improvement methodologies

  • Hands-on experience with SAP or similar ERP systems for procurement, supplier management, or material planning

  • Professional certifications such as C.P.M., CPIM, CIRM, or other relevant supply chain or procurement credentials

  • Active involvement in professional organizations such as ISM, APICS, or comparable industry groups

  • Industry experience in mining, construction, heavy equipment, or industrial manufacturing environments

Additional Details:

  • Work Location: This role is based in Tucson, AZ and requires onsite work five days a week.

  • Relocation Assistance: Domestic relocation assistance is available.

  • Work Authorization: Sponsorship is not available for this position.

  • Travel Requirements: Up to 20% domestic and/or international travel.

Summary Pay Range:

$97,530.00 - $146,290.00

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:

July 15, 2026 - July 29, 2026

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.

Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.

About the Company

C

Caterpillar Inc

Caterpillar is a driving force in logistics, automation, financial services, power generators and many other industries. No matter what we do, our commitment to excellence in every aspect of our business has made the name Caterpillar a symbol of strength, respect and integrity all over the world. Caterpillar is a global company with opportunities to travel and work at locations across the US and abroad. We have manufacturing facilities in 21 countries, marketing headquarters in 11 countries and distribution centers in 19.
COMPANY SIZE
10,000 employees or more
INDUSTRY
Manufacturing
FOUNDED
1925
WEBSITE
http://www.cat.com/