Senior Communications Specialist - Strategic Procurement & Planning Division

Career Area:

Communications

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.

This is Caterpillar

Caterpillar has an exciting opportunity for an experienced communications professional to join the Strategic Procurement & Planning Division (SPPD) as a Senior Communications Specialist.

This position will report to the manager of SPPD Division Communications and plays a key role in supporting strategic communications across the enterprise. SPPD is part of Caterpillar’s Resource Industries segment and includes global teams who are working to connect the physical and digital worlds of the supply value chain to maximize competitive advantage and deliver top-quality products and services. The Senior Communications Specialist will partner with senior leaders and cross-functional enterprise teams to shape messaging, drive alignment and develop processes that help further the organization's business objectives. In this role, you’ll lead and execute strategic communications initiatives that support division and enterprise priorities, enhance the Caterpillar supplier experience and improve overall procurement processes.

What You Will Do:

• Work across a large, matrixed organization to develop, own and execute comprehensive communications plans that drive business objectives of key procurement leadership and segment partners.
• Lead strategic communications initiatives that elevate awareness of key compliance efforts that impact supplier and procurement professionals' experiences.
• Lead end-to-end communications support for executive-level events that showcase supplier performance and recognition, ensuring alignment with strategic messaging and stakeholder engagement goals.
• Manage supplier communication compliance by overseeing review processes to ensure suppliers adhere to established communication guidelines and enterprise procedures.
• Collaborate across teams: Work closely with procurement subject matter experts, business leaders, and communications and media relations colleagues to develop content for a variety of audiences, internal and external. Deliverables include customer stories, announcements and events; presentations; speeches; communications plans and articles. 
• Deliver lean and process excellence to enhance quality and accelerate delivery, ensuring streamlined, high-impact communications that make it easy for stakeholders to do business with SPPD.
• Uphold brand consistency: Maintain a consistent tone and style across all content, adhering to brand guidelines and voice.
• Analyze performance: Monitor communications metrics to refine strategies and continuously improve engagement.

What You Will Have:

• Education/experience: College or university degree in communications, marketing, or a related field and/or considerable job-related experience in corporate communications with proficiency in digital communication tools such as the Microsoft Office Suite
• Planning & organizing: Strong organizational skills with the ability to plan, prioritize and execute multiple projects independently and with urgency; skilled at simplifying complex ideas, anticipating stakeholder needs and adjusting messaging to drive clarity and alignment  
• Outcomes focus: Big picture thinking and planning; ability to apply organizational acumen and align messaging and deliverables to key customer objectives and strategies 
• Communicating for impact: Excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills; develops a clear and complete understanding of needs through careful listening, probing, reflecting, and summarizing
• Copywriting and editing: Strong content creation skills and the ability to edit for various audience consumption 
• Interpersonal relationships: Outstanding relationship management; skilled at establishing and maintaining trust with customers, clients, peers and vendors
• Risk management: The skill to identify, assess and mitigate communication-related risks, such as reputational damage or internal misunderstandings.

Additional info:

• This position is located in Peoria, IL, or Irv