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: Product Procurement Engineer
Salary: £57,700 - £72,000 depending on experience
Contract: Full time & permanent
Location: Desford, Leicestershire
The Opportunity:
As a Product Procurement Engineer, you’ll play a pivotal role within Caterpillar, representing the Electrical, Electronics and Drivetrain categories managing part sourcing, development, and quality feedback loops across New Product Introduction (NPI), Continuous Product Improvement (CPI), and New Source Introduction (NSI).
You’ll work closely with Engineering, Procurement and Supply Chain teams, while also engaging directly with suppliers to ensure alignment. The role ensures category strategy is clearly defined and executed, delivering parts with the right quality, total cost and timing to meet business and customer requirements.
As a Product Procurement Engineer, you will be responsible for, but not limited to:
Develop, implement and maintain category-specific KPIs, providing clear reporting and insights to Category and Programme Leadership.
Collaborate with Design Control Engineering, Value Chain Engineering, Procurement, Quality and Supply Chain to define and execute global product supply strategies aligned to category objectives.
Drive Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VA/VE) through cost modelling, Design for Manufacturability (DFM), and effective utilisation of supplier capability.
Contribute within a global team to develop and implement standardised processes across sourcing, quality improvement, cost management and capacity planning.
Manage quality feedback loops, ensuring lessons learned are captured, shared and consistently applied to improve supplier performance.
Represent category performance at NPI and APQP gateways, working with suppliers and cross-functional teams to resolve quality, cost and delivery issues and drive continuous improvement.
Interview Process: Telephone interviews xx and on-site face-to-face interviews w/c xx.
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:
Effective Communications: Communicates clearly and confidently with suppliers and cross-functional stakeholders, influencing technical and commercial decisions to achieve alignment on quality, cost and delivery outcomes.
Strategic Sourcing: Develops and executes category and sourcing strategies, managing supplier agreements, sourcing pipelines and procurement programmes to deliver competitive and sustainable outcomes.
Cost Benefit Analysis: Identifies and delivers cost, quality and efficiency improvements through structured analysis, supporting DFM/DFA and maximising the use of supplier capability.
Data Driven Decision Making: Evaluates business proposals using data, cost analysis and risk assessment, ensuring decisions are robust and escalating risks appropriately to Category Leadership.
Top candidates will also have:
Works directly with suppliers to support part development, resolve quality and delivery issues, and ensure products meet specification, escalating higher-risk concerns where required.
Makes informed sourcing decisions by balancing cost, contractual terms, risk exposure and long-term value to protect quality, delivery and commercial outcomes.
Applies quality standards, governance and continuous improvement methods to drive consistent product quality and supplier performance.
Anticipates and incorporates external factors (regulatory, environmental, geopolitical) into sourcing decisions to enhance resilience and mitigate supply risk.
Pending the number of applications, the criteria for the position may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting.
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, 12% Bonus, 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 25% Globally
This position requires working onsite five days a week.
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply
Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.
