Supply Chain Planning Engineer in Desford

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. Together, we are building a better world.

The Opportunity: As a Supply Chain Planning Engineer in Caterpillar’s Building Construction Products (BCP) Division, you’ll develop proactive, data-driven strategies to align supplier capacity with production demand. Working closely with Global Category Purchasing and a UK/EAME supplier base, you’ll lead capacity management, Network Planning & Execution (NPE) demand expertise, and support strategic sourcing. Your work helps anticipate risks early, ensuring stable operations, stronger supplier performance, and a more resilient end-to-end supply chain.

What you will do:

• Lead the identification and delivery of integrated supply chain solutions and performance improvements, building strong internal and external partnerships to drive stability and growth.
• Strengthen demand–capacity alignment through effective collaboration with Category Purchasing, suppliers, and internal functions, ensuring best-practice ways of working.
• Apply industry benchmarks and capacity scenario modelling to optimise supplier capability and inform strategic sourcing decisions.
• Analyse supply chain data to prioritise improvement opportunities, enhance inventory utilisation, and build cost-effective, resilient supply networks.
• Provide expert demand and capacity management support using NPE (Network Planning & Execution) Tool, Rough Cut Capacity Planning (RCCP), and capacity collaboration tools to stabilise supplier performance.
• Lead supplier performance routines including monthly reviews, structured problem solving, and Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) for capacity-related challenges.

What You Can Demonstrate:

• Business Process Improvement: Proven ability to identify inefficiencies and redesign processes to increase speed, stability, and transparency across the supply chain.
• Analytical Thinking: Strong capability to interpret complex demand, capacity, and performance data to generate actionable insights.
• Problem Solving: Expertise in structured problem solving and RCCA to quickly diagnose root causes, implement corrective actions, and prevent future disruption.
• Supply Chain Management – MFG: Deep understanding of supply chain and manufacturing principles to manage complexity and influence cross-functional and supplier outcomes.

What You May Have:

• Strong end-to-end supply chain and operations expertise, spanning planning, manufacturing, logistics and inventory management.
• Advanced capability in planning systems (NPE, MRC or similar) to interpret demand signals, model capacity, and strengthen supplier collaboration and performance.
• Proven leadership and project delivery experience, directing cross-functional improvement initiatives.
• Solid commercial and continuous-improvement grounding, including procurement awareness, Lean/Green Belt methods, and Value Stream Mapping.

Benefits: 27 days annual leave + bank holidays, opportunity to buy additional holiday, Private Medical, 12% Bonus, contributory pension scheme, contributory share scheme, Employee Support Networks, optional flexible benefits including access to private health and dental care plans.

Travel: Up to 50% travel to supplier locations and Caterpillar facilities—primarily EAME, with potential global travel.

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