Operations Management - 12 Month Placement Student

Caterpillar Inc.; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Share Scheme

Pension

25 days annual leave

Employee Discount Scheme

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Peterborough invites applications for a 12 Month Industrial Placement Scheme in Operations Management.

You will work alongside Production Managers, contributing to daily targets and cross-functional projects in an onsite manufacturing environment. The programme offers mentoring, exposure to diverse projects, and a pathway to develop technical and leadership skills, with a starting salary of £26,000 and benefits including a pension, share scheme, and generous leave.

Qualifications

• Currently enro​lled in the penultimate year of study or enrolled in an integrated master’s program.
• Minimum 2:2 honours degree in a relevant discipline (Manufacturing Engineering, Lean Manufacturing, Business Management, or Operations Management).
• Placement is a 12-month scheme starting July 2027 and requires onsite work five days a week.

Responsibilities

• Support daily management functions within an assembly, test, or finishing area to meet output targets and safety, quality, velocity, and cost metrics.
• Provide coaching and leadership to a team from Operators to Team Leaders, promoting Caterpillar values and a safe working environment.
• Seek continuous improvement ideas to help the area and business grow.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineers, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Quality and Product Engineering to develop problem‑solving skills.
• Lead changes and contribute to strategic projects and cost-saving initiatives.

Skills

Problem solving

Teamwork

Adaptability

Communication

Education

Manufacturing Engineering

Lean Manufacturing

Business Management

Operations Management

Job description

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.

12 Month Industrial Placement Scheme

Discipline: Operations Management

Location: Peterborough

Salary: £26,000, Share Scheme, Pension and 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), Employee Discount Scheme & Employee Assistance Program.

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 to be eligible to complete a 12-Month Industrial Placement commencing July 2027, you must be in your penultimate year of study unless enrolled in an integrated master’s program.

Career Area

Students and Graduates

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.

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.

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

• You will have the opportunity to work within a team of established Production Managers, supporting the daily management functions within an assembly, test or finishing area to ensure that all daily output targets are met and all other Safety, Quality, Velocity and Cost metrics are achieved.
• You will have a direct influence in the ongoing Management, support and development of a dedicated team of individuals ranging from Operators through to Team Leaders- providing coaching, guidance, motivation and feedback whilst demonstrating our core business values and behaviours also providing, promoting and maintaining a safe working environment and all relevant practices.
• You will have the opportunity to experience different aspects of the operations environment and provide valuable input into the day-to-day running of the area and seek to provide continuous improvement ideas to help both the area and the business grow.
• You will interact and gain exposure to a wide range of skilled engineers and support groups, such as Manufacturing Engineers, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Quality and Product Engineering which will enable you to develop valuable problem-solving skills and the ability to prioritise and overcome challenges by utilising this support network.
• Being in a role at the heart of our business, you'll have the opportunity to get involved in strategic projects and showcase your ability to lead changes, improvements, roll out new initiatives and demonstrate key business acumen such as cost saving that drive positive business results.

Who are we looking for?

As the type of roles within our business are becoming more diverse, we are looking for people who are open minded, excellent problem solvers and who have an ability to learn quickly. You will be motivated, hard-working, and will embrace change. In return for your dedication and hard work, you will be provided with excellent career opportunities and strong support for your personal and career development to pursue a career within Caterpillar.

Applicants will be on target to achieve a minimum of 2:2 honours degree level in a relevant discipline:

• Manufacturing Engineering
• Lean Manufacturing
• Business Management
• Operations Management

Following the Assessment Centre, the Caterpillar team will review all feedback and make hiring decisions. We aim to communicate outcomes and extend offers to successful candidates as quickly as possible.

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Please note, this role may require working shifts.

Posting Dates

September 11, 2026 - October 11, 2026

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