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.
Job Title: Senior Product Procurement Engineer
Salary: £66,000 - £82,000 depending on experience
Contract: Full time & permanent
Location: Desford, Leicestershire
The Opportunity:
As a Senior Product Procurement Engineer, you will represent the Category in monitoring and managing part sourcing, development, and quality performance across NPI, CPI, and NSI activities. You’ll work hands‑on with engineering, procurement, and suppliers to deliver parts with the right quality, cost, and timing, while turning category strategy into practical, measurable outcomes across the supply base.
As a Product Procurement Engineer, you will be responsible for, but not limited to:
Lead part development from concept to production, owning APQP and PPAP activities to ensure quality, cost, delivery, and capacity targets are achieved.
Translate category strategy into action, collaborating with engineering, quality, supply chain, and procurement teams to implement global supply solutions.
Develop and track category KPIs, clearly communicating performance, risks, and improvement opportunities to Category and Program Leadership.
Drive VA/VE initiatives, using cost modelling, DFM/DFA principles, and supplier capability to improve value without compromising quality.
Own quality feedback loops, ensuring lessons learned from defects and issues are captured and consistently applied across suppliers.
Represent the Category at NPI and APQP gateways, working directly with suppliers to resolve quality, cost, and delivery challenges.
Interview Process: Telephone interviews w/c 11 May 2026 and on-site face-to-face interviews w/c 18 May 2026.
NB. The panel cannot make assumptions when shortlisting therefore please demonstrate your qualifications and experience on your CV relevant to the criteria outlined.
What You Can Demonstrate:
Level Extensive Experience:
Strategic Sourcing: Leads sourcing activities aligned to category strategy, selecting and contracting suppliers, negotiating commercial terms, and governing performance to deliver cost, quality, and supply continuity targets.
Supplier Management: Builds and manages supplier relationships by setting quality expectations, monitoring performance, resolving issues, and driving continuous improvement or exits where required.
Analytical Thinking: Analyses complex data and problems to identify root causes, assess risks and options, and recommend solutions that protect quality, cost, and delivery outcomes.
Effective Communication: Influences cross‑functional teams and suppliers through clear, credible communication, constructively managing conflict and sustaining strong working relationships.
Top candidates will also have:
Makes informed sourcing and supplier decisions by balancing cost, contractual terms, risk, and long‑term value to protect quality, delivery, and commercial outcomes.
Applies cost–benefit analysis to sourcing, part development, and VA/VE decisions, evaluating options to achieve optimal cost, quality, and delivery. Uses quantified outcomes to inform category decisions and align supplier strategies with program goals.
Anticipates and incorporates governmental, environmental, political, and geographic factors into sourcing decisions to strengthen supply resilience and mitigate risk.
Pending the number of applications, the criteria for the position may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting.
Just a quick heads-up: We start reviewing applications as soon as they come in, so if you’re interested, don’t wait too long! We may close the advert early if we feel we’ve got a strong pool of potentially suitable applicants.
Don’t miss out, get your application in soon!
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, 18% Bonus, Car Allowance £625pm, 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 0% travel to include UK/EAME/Global or Travel not required
This position requires working onsite five days a week.
Posting Dates:
April 16, 2026 - May 1, 2026
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply
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