Career Area:

Procurement

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.

Hear about the Caterpillar Experience for yourself

Role Definition

Caterpillar’s U.S. Drivetrain Operations is seeking an experienced problem solver who can lead teams and pursue excellence across the extended value chain for quality improvements. This role is fundamentally managing supply network related activities centered on incoming supplier quality. This includes responding to the daily quality issues found in the manufacturing facility and leading proactive quality improvements impacting U.S. Drivetrain. A sense of urgency is vital. The objective is to ensure manufacturing operations can continue without a detrimental impact caused by a supplier quality issue and serve as a Quality lead for the facility. This lead will be our change agent that has passion for continuous improvement and develops solutions that drive increased customer value.

What you will do

• Accountable to monitor the Quality Performance of 200+ suppliers and drive improvement activities for top pain suppliers, partnering with Operations, Engineering, and Purchasing counterparts.

• Develop, implement, and maintain standardized metrics and scorecard that guide actions and promote continuous improvement (e.g. supplier performance metric SQPI, PPM, CoPQ, etc.)

• Provide sound quality input to supplier qualifications (existing / new suppliers, supplier transition, etc.)

• Partner with SDE (Supplier Development Engineeer) with Supplier On-Site Assessment and Supplier Qualification

• Drive product and process improvements through investigations and effective root cause analysis

• Drive risk mitigation and effective process controls. Ensure supplier corrective actions are robust and sustained

• Assist suppliers in quality assurance processes and procedures to facilitate continuous improvement of supplier and product performance

• Perform and/or participate in source qualification by performing quality and manufacturing system surveys and special process surveys

• Take first action to protect the plant from non-conforming parts from suppliers

• Coordinate containment activities, initiate controls and safeguard replacement deliveries when needed (PDI, IQA, IPVs, etc.)

• Initiate, verify, evaluate, and ensure timely closure of supplier issues as necessary to improve quality and reduce manufacturing disruptions

• Perform other duties as assigned

Degree Requirement

• Bachelors degree or in lieu of a degree, 8+ years of professional experience desired.

Skills you must have

• Quality Management: Knowledge of quality management methods, tools, and techniques and ability to create and support an environment that meets the quality goals of the organization.

• Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision.

• Collaborating: Knowledge of collaborative techniques; ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner.

• Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.

• Managing Multiple Priorities: Knowledge of effective self-management practices; ability to manage multiple
  concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments as to prioritizing and time
  allocation.

• Problem Solving: Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving
  organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to
  diverse situations.

• Procurement Function: Knowledge of responsibilities, accountabilities, and organization of procurement function;
  ability to perform tasks and activities of the procurement functions or department.

• Purchasing Tasks and Activities: Knowledge of policies, regulations and processes of purchasing; ability to use
  practices and procedures for procurement of materials, components, equipment and services.

Top Candidates will also have

• Advanced Microsoft Office/Data analysis skills

• Ability to read and interpret documents, such as: 1E Specs, standard work, and part prints

• Good project management skills, ability to communicate based on the audience required, and respond quickly to issues occurring due to supplier performance

• Knowledge of the tools and techniques of 6 Sigma and Lean methodologies is highly desired

• Previous Supplier Quality Engineering experience is highly desirable.

• Quality Engineering, Supply Chain or Purchasing certification is highly desirable.

• A background with manufacturing processes used to produce components and assemblies for Caterpillar Products (cutting, forming, welding, machining, paint, packaging)

• Robust understanding of Metrology and Inspection techniques

• Knowledge of shop operations and supportive functions

• Solid ability to use and demonstrate statistical and problem-solving tools is required

Additional Information

• This position posting closes on 1/21/2026 at 11:59 p.m.

• The location for this position is East Peoria, IL (Building KK) and requires the employee to work a 5-day-a-week schedule onsite.

• Relocation assistance is NOT available for this position.

• Sponsorship is NOT available.

• This position may require the ability to travel up to 30% (domestic and international)

Summary Pay Range:

$95,640.00 - $143,520.00

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.

Benefits:

Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits*

• Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*

• 401(k) savings plans*

• Health Savings Account (HSA)*

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*

• Health Lifestyle Programs*

• Employee Assistance Program*

• Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*

• Career Development*

• Incentive bonus*

• Disability benefits

• Life Insurance

• Parental leave

• Adoption benefits

• Tuition Reimbursement

* These benefits also apply to part-time employees

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. This employer is not currently hiring foreign national applicants that require or will require sponsorship tied to a specific employer, such as, H, L, TN, F, J, E, O. As a global company, Caterpillar offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S which can be found through our employment website at www.caterpillar.com/careers.

Posting Dates:

January 14, 2026 - January 21, 2026

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.

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