Vendor Management Specialist - IT Negotiator

Career Area:

Technology, Digital and Data

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.

What does it mean to live the Caterpillar Experience?

It means you play a part in building a better world. You contribute to a winning culture—a spirit of accountability—that has driven change on every continent for more than 90 years. To work with us is a commitment to improve sustainability, invent for the digital age and innovate in order to bring solutions to millions of people.  Sure, you work for Caterpillar. But more importantly, you work for the good of your career, your family, your community, and your world.

Job Summary:

Vendor Management Specialist - IT Negotiator working with Caterpillar’s Information Technology (IT) leaders and teams on their third-party IT business and technical requirements (Professional Services, SaaS, Software, Cloud, Hardware and Telecommunications).  Leads deals with varying complexity seeking support from manager as necessary.  Negotiate directly with Caterpillar’s technology suppliers to minimize risk and maximize value for the acquisition of SaaS, software, hardware, telecommunications, cloud, and related professional services.  Provide thought leadership and sourcing subject matter expertise to internal IT/Business customers and matrix partners.

What You Will Do:

• Create detailed negotiation strategies, including points of leverage, identification of all deal variables, and development of appropriate counteroffers.

• Working with 3rd party advisory firms to enhance Caterpillar’s market intelligence and negotiation strategies.

• Advise internal customers on the negotiation plan and gain alignment on strategy, timing, and process steps.

• Negotiators work with the IT teams on supplier RFx requirements, participate on teams working with or evaluating supplier technologies, and partner with IT category procurement (and supporting orgs).

• Act as a category subject matter expert to the organization across multiple functions, divisions, and geographic locations.

• Engage with internal customers and suppliers to support resolution of varying complexity disputes, and other matters requiring a balance of assertiveness, tact, business acumen, and diplomacy.

• Partner with finance to analyze deal financials and impact to annual budget processes.

• Achieve annual savings targets and other performance metrics as assigned.

• Partner with internal matrix partners such as finance, procurement, legal, etc. on negotiations and continuous process improvement.

• Establish a forward-looking demand for contract renewals and net new initiatives. Develop and administer frequent communications and discussions to maintain awareness and monitor progress for such demand. 

• Direct negotiations and interaction with the supplier representatives. 

• Development and administration of supplier playbook. 

• Deliver presentations and communications to IT service owners, Vice Presidents, and Senior Vice President. Draft talking points for executive level supplier discussions. 

• Support, participate in, or lead liaison roles with IT service owners and teams helping collaborate with procurement requests and contract completion targets as part of the service owner business needs. 

• Conduct Supplier spend analysis on a regular basis to identify opportunities across our suppliers and organization. 

• Work within the identified Contract lifecycle management tool to ensure our forecast is accurately reflected and that our contract document safe source is regularly reviewed and updated.

What You Have:

• Ability to simultaneously lead multiple initiatives while consistently meeting timelines and milestones.

• Ability to accurately interpret complex contract language and summarize historical contracts.

• Knowledge of business principles such as, demand management, project management, commercial contracting, technology licensing, and negotiation principles.

• Understanding of cost and price analysis techniques

• Understanding of the unique aspects of technology sourcing as compared to other categories.

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