Career Area:

Supply Chain and Logistics

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.

Job Title: Director of Supply Chain

Salary: £110,160 –  £137,693 (depending on experience)

Contract: Permanent

Location: Desford, UK

Relocation: Relocation is offered for this role.

Job Summary:

The Director of Supply Chain role is part of Caterpillar’s Construction Industries segment with a focused responsibility within our Building Construction Products division (BCP).  The Building Construction Products division team is comprised of more than 7,000 employees—from assemblers and accountants to marketing professionals and engineers— working in factories, warehouses, and offices all over the world.

BCP is responsible for the design, manufacturing, marketing and support of Caterpillar’s line of small, versatile construction machines and attachments for the commercial construction, residential construction, specialty trades, landscaping and agriculture industries. Products include small wheel loaders, compact wheel loaders, backhoe loaders, compact track loaders, mini hydraulic excavators, skid steer loaders, telehandlers and small track-type tractors. 

Role Definition:
The Director of Supply Chain for BCP will manage a team that oversees the order to delivery supply chain to ensure availability of necessary commodities to support manufacturing or distribution. This role will provide strategic leadership for supply chain planning, supply chain performance and capability, packaging strategy, and inventory management for the division.    
 

Responsibilities:
• Maintaining communications with operations, procurement, logistics, and distribution. Creating integrated processes to streamline supply chains.
• Interacting with sales, engineering, and facilities management on production schedules and expected deliverables.

•Managing and providing strategic direction for the following teams: supply chain planning and performance, packaging strategy and inventory management.   
• Establishing key performance metrics and benchmarks to guide supply chain planning and forecasting; monitoring planned vs. actual performance and presents results to senior management.

•Demonstrated experience leading large teams.

Degree Requirement
Degree or equivalent experience desired.

Skill Descriptors
 

Analytical Thinking:

Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.

• Seeks discrepancies and inconsistencies in available information; explains variances.
• Organizes and prioritizes the sequence of steps to be taken to remedy the situation.
• Identifies many possible causes for a problem based on prior experience and current research.
• Quantifies the costs, benefits, risks and chances for success before recommending a course of action.
• Approaches a complex problem by breaking it down into its component parts.
• Chooses among a diverse set of analytical tools according to the nature of the situation.

Decision Making and Critical Thinking:

Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.

• Differentiates assumptions, perspectives, and historical frameworks.
• Evaluates past decisions for insights to improve decision-making process.
• Assesses and validates decision options and points and predicts their potential impact.
• Advises others in analyzing and synthesizing relevant data and assessing alternatives.
• Uses effective decision-making approaches such as consultative, command, or consensus.
• Ensures that assumptions and received wisdom are objectively analyzed in decisions.

Strategic Thinking:

Knowledge of the importance of "big picture" thinking and planning; ability to apply organizational acumen and competitiveness to identify and maintain focus on key success factors for the organization.

• Directs strategic alliances and partnerships for mutual benefit.
• Makes sound business decisions on behalf of the group when faced with complex and contradictory alternatives.
• Builds the strategic thinking capability of the group.
• Interprets available data and analyses when creating business plans.
• Recommends ways to position the organization for long-term competitiveness.
• Prepares the group's response to key marketplace trends, opportunities, and vulnerabilities.

Forecasting:

Knowledge of forecasting tools, approaches and practices; ability to determine product demand and estimate production requirements and loads.

• Leads in discussing the validity and reliability of current and planned forecasting methods and tools.
• Establishes policies, procedures and best practices for effective forecasting in complex situations.
• Designs effective forecasting approaches and methods; makes adjustments accordingly.
• Champions the use of alternative approaches and tools for forecasting.
• Consults on the issues, considerations and benefits of collaborative forecasting.
• Oversees all activities related to forecasting demand and production across multiple regions and plants.
 

Manufacturing Requirements Planning (MRP):

Knowledge of the processes, practices and systems used in manufacturing requirements planning (MRP); ability to optimize planning for manufacturing cycles and ensure capacity and materials availability.

• Promotes the coordination of communications between multiple sites, e.g. flow of materials and backup.
• Oversees requirements planning for multiple sites and manufacturing facilities.
• Consults on demand forecasting and relating to production capacity and materials requirements.
• Creates mechanisms for flow of information between customers, suppliers and operations.
• Monitors MRP analytics; creates mechanisms to manage and improve the process.
• Leads decision making on what to build, how much to build and when it will be available.

Inventory Management:

Knowledge of processes and methods of inventory management; ability to effectively manage organization's materials, commodities, merchandises, or products.

• Develops inventory management metrics to evaluate the inventory level and the management effectiveness.
• Consults on managing large or multiple-site inventory considerations, methods and processes.
• Creates processes on the flow of inputs and outputs of inventory for multiple large supply networks.
• Creates training programs on the use of systems and tools to track, manage inventory and control costs.
• Makes inventory forecasting for the organization and predicts industrial inventory management trends.
• Translates sales projections into inventory and site requirements; designs strategic inventory management plans for the organization.

Logistics Management:

Knowledge of the processes, tools and operational considerations for effective and efficient movement of goods and materials; ability to understand, predict and control the movement of goods, materials and supplies.

• Develops and analyzes logistics plans that affect production, distribution, and inventory.
• Manages logistics processes through process improvement, prioritization, and project planning.
• Implements and maintains monitoring systems to provide information on shipment status, shipped date, in transit location, estimated arrival date, and actual delivery date.
• Works with historical, legislative and practical issues associated with domestic freight.
• Participates in contract negotiations and interfaces with selected carriers necessary to maintain expected levels of service.
• Consults on all major logistics processes, their interactions and operational requirements.

What Will Set You Apart (Preferred Qualifications):

• Bachelor’s degree related to Supply Chain, or equivalent experience.
• Previous experience in Inventory Management and Control, Procurement, and/or Supply Chain.
• Knowledge and experience with Lean Manufacturing.
• APICS CPM or CSCP National Certification.
• Ability to develop and deploy creative/original solutions to complex problems.
• Ability to establish and monitor policies and guidelines.

Relocation is available for this position.

Posting Dates:

September 3, 2024 - September 15, 2024

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO).

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