Supplier Development Engineer Category Buyer

Caterpillar


Job Location:

Akashi - Japan

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed
Posted on: 30 days ago
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Career Area:

Procurement

Job Description:

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar yourejoining 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 dontjust 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.

Role Definition

  • This role is to assess the supplier quality and ensure that all the products are free from defects and are in compliance with manufacturing specifications and legal standards as a Supplier Development Engineer (SDE) and to provide supply network solutions expertise using Quality Cost Logistics Development and Management (QCLDM) to deliver maximum value as a Category Buyer.

Responsibilities as SDE

  • Ensuring the quality of supplies by conducting tests and assessments on incoming supplies to identify any quality issues; Developing supplier inspection testing and evaluation mechanism.
  • Generating reports on supplier quality by monitoring their defect rates and areas that can lead to potential flaws; Guiding suppliers to reduce these defect rates.
  • Researching the potential vendors assessing their manufacturing environment practices and procedures; Conducting supplier quality control audits to ensure compliance with organizational and federal policies and standards.
  • Supporting suppliers in improving their performance through process enhancements implementing process controls and developing quality assurance plans.

Responsibilities as Category Buyer

  • Developing managing and executing the category strategy managing policies agreements source catalogs and special procurement programs.
  • Recognizing the potential for cost decreases inventory reductions and quality improvement as well as responsibility for soundness of business proposals and risk assessment.
  • Acting as the liaison between the organization and the supplier to communicate information explicitly while considering production demands and suppliers conditions.
  • Documenting the suppliers performance on time sensitiveness and production; maintains a strong relationship with suppliers.

Key Tasks

  • Supplier Development & Capability enhancement
  • Supplier Relationship & QCLDM management
  • Supplier SER (Supplier Excellence Recognition) Certification Management
  • NPI (New Product Introduction) APQP Collaboration
  • AoS (Assurance of Supply) including Capacity Planning & Risk Management
  • End-to-end Cost management throughout parts lifecycle (both NPI & Current)
  • SVC (Sustainable Value Creation) & Supplier VAVE lead
  • Responsible suppliers: 510 suppliers as SDE and 15 suppliers as Category Buyer

Required Skills & Experiences

  • Bachelors degree or equivalent practical experience
  • Interpersonal Skills & Effective communication
    • Attentively listen to others and understand the real intention even if not explicitly mentioned
    • Fluent in Japanese and English and can Influence others through effective written & oral communication
    • Seek agreeable points to every party even in difficult and conflicting situations
  • Analytical Thinking & Problem Solving Skills
    • Identify collect and evaluate necessary data & information for effective analysis
    • Perform effective analysis to reach convincing conclusions and to support timely and appropriate decision-making based on fact & data
  • Leadership Skills
    • Project leading skills to deliver expected outcomes in expected timelines
    • Lead and develop suppliers to get alignment with CAT and category strategies
  • Capability to read and understand drawings & technical specifications is required
  • Intellectual Curiosities and Self-Learning capabilities are required

Preferred Skills & Experiences

  • Experience in Purchasing Supply Chain Logistics Manufacturing Engineering Quality is preferred
  • Capability to lead process improvement & development both internally and externally and to support suppliers on RCCA development is preferred
  • Capability to review and evaluate PPAP documents is preferred
  • Knowledge in Accounting and Legal (contractual matters trade regulations) is desired

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates:

June 10 2026 - June 24 2026

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

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Required Experience:

IC

Career Area:ProcurementJob Description:Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc. When you join Caterpillar yourejoining 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 su...

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Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial turbines and diesel-electric locomotives.

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