Supplier Development Engineer - Wire harness

Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation; Peterlee; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Up to 10% Annual Bonus

Defined Contribution Pension Scheme

Share Ownership Scheme

Personalised flexible benefits

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Caterpillar Peterlee seeks a Supplier Development Engineer to partner with wire harness suppliers, driving quality, performance and continuous improvement. You will assess manufacturing processes, implement robust quality controls, and identify opportunities to enhance operational performance.

The role focuses on reducing defects, improving process capability, conducting supplier assessments and audits to ensure compliance with requirements while fostering long-term supplier excellence.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience desired.
• Experience in supplier development and quality systems preferred.
• Exposure to PPAP processes and supplier audits is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Assess supplier processes and implement robust quality controls.
• Drive reductions in defects and improve process capability.
• Conduct supplier quality audits and support corrective actions.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to enhance supplier performance.

Skills

Effective Communications

Problem Solving

Process Improvement

Quality Orientation

PPAP

Manufacturing Standards

Supplier Management - MFG

Supplier Evaluations and Certification

Job description

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.

Job Title: Supplier Development Engineer - Wire Harness
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £57,737 - £72,171
Location: Peterlee, County Durham
Hours: Full-Time – 36.50 - 4.5 days on site
Travel: Up to 25%

The Opportunity

As a Supplier Development Engineer at Caterpillar Peterlee, you will partner with suppliers across the wire harness category to drive quality, performance, and continuous improvement. Working closely with suppliers and internal stakeholders, you will assess manufacturing processes, support the implementation of robust quality controls, and identify opportunities to enhance operational performance.

The role focuses on reducing defects, improving process capability, conducting supplier assessments and audits, and ensuring suppliers consistently meet business, regulatory, and customer requirements while fostering long-term supplier excellence.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Ensuring the quality of supplies by conducting tests and assessments on incoming supplies to identify any quality issues; Developing supplier inspection, testing, and evaluation mechanism.
• Generating reports on supplier quality, by monitoring their defect rates and areas that can lead to potential flaws; Guiding suppliers to reduce these defect rates.
• Researching the potential vendors, assessing their manufacturing environment, practices, and procedures; Conducting supplier quality control audits to ensure compliance with organizational and federal policies and standards.
• Supporting suppliers in improving their performance through process enhancements, implementing process controls, and developing quality assurance plans.

Degree Requirement

Degree or equivalent experience desired

What Skills You Will Have:

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.

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.

Process Improvement: Understanding and insight into evaluating current product quality and production methods and ability to maintains focus on the continuous improvement of processes, products and services.

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

Production Part Approval Process (PPAP): Knowledge of Production Part Approval Processes (PPAP) elements, submissions, and objectives; ability to determine whether a supplier can manufacture products that meet the quality requirements and standards of their customers consistently.

Manufacturing Standards, Procedures and Policies: Knowledge of organizational standards, procedures and policies in manufacturing activities; ability to plan, guide, and monitor manufacturing processes for compliance.

Supplier Management - MFG: Knowledge of processes and methods to effectively manage business relationships and transactions with suppliers of raw materials or product components; ability to apply related knowledge, experience and skills into real practice.

Supplier Evaluations and Certification: Knowledge of supplier evaluations and certification; ability to identify the methods, tools and documentation for evaluating, selecting and certifying vendors, suppliers and partners.

NB. 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.

We offer a wide range of employee benefits including:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays including additional service days awarded every 2 years up to a maximum of 5 days.
• Up to 10% Annual Bonus target
• Defined Contribution Pension Scheme (Contribution double by Company up to 10%),
• Share Ownership Scheme (50% company matched)
• Personalised flexible benefits
• Employee Assistance Programme

What You Will Get

We look forward to welcoming the successful candidate to our dynamic, diverse, and friendly team. We have a culture of openness, autonomy, support, and personal development as well as a continuous drive for improvement.

About Caterpillar

Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Posting Dates:

September 16, 2026 - September 22, 2026

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