12 Month Placement Scheme 

Discipline: Supply Chain Planning 

Location: Desford, Leicester 

Salary: £24,500, Share Scheme, Pension, Flexible working, and 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays). 

We currently have some exciting opportunities for industrial placement students to join Caterpillar across several of our sites. You will have the opportunity to work with others across our organisation and you will be directly involved, and at the heart of our business, participating on strategic projects. 

*Please note that in order to be eligible to complete a 12 Month Industrial Placement commencing July 2025, you must be in your penultimate year of study unless enrolled in an integrated master’s program. 

What do we do?  

Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives. Since 1925, we’ve been driving sustainable progress and helping customers build a better world through innovative products and services. Throughout the product life cycle, we offer services built on cutting-edge technology and decades of product expertise. These products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value to help our customers succeed.  

We have a clear vision to be the global leader in providing customer value in the markets in which we operate. Our core values (Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork, Commitment and Sustainability) are key to our success. 

The Building Construction Products (BCP) Division is a global division of Caterpillar, Inc. BCP has facilities in North Carolina (Cary, Clayton, Sanford), Georgia (Athens), the UK, China, India, and Brazil. Products designed, manufactured, and distributed by BCP include skid steer loaders, backhoe loaders, compact track loaders, multi-terrain loaders, small wheel loaders, small track-type tractors, and mini-hydraulic excavators. BCP's mission statement is: Achieve profitable growth by providing customers with the highest quality, best value building construction products, work tools, and integrated solutions in the industry. 

Diversity at Caterpillar 

When we leverage our people's experiences, backgrounds, and cultures in an inclusive environment, we enable every individual to achieve their full potential, which drives business success. We are proud to be active partners with both the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) & Women's Engineering Society (WES). We also have numerous well supported employee resource groups. Caterpillar is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds.   

What experiences can we offer you?  

As an equal opportunity employer, we value diversity at Caterpillar and believe the more experience you can gain early in your career the further you can go. That’s why during our yearlong scheme we place an emphasis on multiple diverse projects. You will have the opportunity to work and collaborate with people in Caterpillar facilities worldwide and we are looking for you to bring fresh, innovative ideas to solve complex technical problems. You will be a fully involved team member with responsibility and accountability for key project deliverables. That said, you will be given all the support you require to be successful. 

Our placement roles have the additional benefit of a workplace mentor; this could be your manager or a technical expert who will support you throughout your time at Caterpillar and help you gain the professional development and skills you need to be set up for success!  Our placement students can expect to return to university with further developed technical skills and experience of how University learning is applied to the workplace. 

We also operate a conditional offer process; our highest performing placement students are fast tracked to our graduate development scheme. This includes a financial incentive and the potential of a summer work placement. Offers will be made based on the condition that a graduate role is available at the time of your graduation and that you achieve a min of 2:2. 

Job duties and responsibilities may include but are not limited to: 

Our industrial placement training scheme represents a 12-month deployment within the Desford Supply Chain Planning department. Successful candidates will gain deep knowledge and experiences gathered within a truly global supply chain. From day one you will be embedded within a team solving real world problems and delivering tangible results. 

As a Placement Trainee you will assist in the development, execution and maintenance of processes designed to optimise safety, quality, and the efficiency of our business. 

By joining our team, you can expect: 

Safe and Respectful work environment – Caterpillar places it’s values at the core of everything we do. 

Collaboration – The opportunity to work with multi-disciplinary teams across the globe. 

Responsibility – You will be given projects that really matter to the business and be empowered to take the lead. 

Development – To be supported by passionate, experienced colleagues, who care about your development. 

We hold a Meet and Greet day for all new UK placement students to provide you with an opportunity to meet fellow new starters across the UK before you start your placement.  

Stage two - Assessment Centre: The Assessment Centre Day will look at a range of behaviours such as teamwork, decision-making, communication, and problem-solving. We aim to make these days fun, inclusive and as relaxed as possible. 

Stage three – Offer: After the Assessment Centre, the Caterpillar team will review the feedback and extend offers to our preferred candidates, we aim to do this as quickly as possible. Placement students will start on 7th July 2025. We look forward to receiving your application to join Caterpillar! 

Come join us! 

How do I apply?  

Go to catukgraduates.com for more information.  

NOTE: Only one application is required, please do not apply for multiple roles. You may be given the opportunity of being considered for other roles/locations at a later stage. 

The panel cannot make assumptions when shortlisting therefore please demonstrate your qualifications and experience on your CV relevant to the criteria outlined.   

Pending the number of applications, the criteria for the position may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting. 

Click the apply button today and one of our friendly recruiters will be in touch.