NPI Team Leader

Caterpillar Brazil; Chennai District; On-site; INR 2,500,000 - 4,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking an experienced leader to head a Business Unit–wide NSI program for component sourcing. You will coordinate with Engineering, Purchasing, Operations, Quality, and suppliers to manage critical sourcing projects for primary engine components.

The role requires strong leadership, robust project management, and a deep understanding of APQP processes. You will drive continuous improvement and deliver gateways on schedule within a large global organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field required.
• 10+ years of cross-functional or technical leadership experience.
• Strong problem-solving and communications skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multi-functional team across NSI for component-sourcing projects.
• Own NSI workstreams, governance, and gateway deliverables.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Purchasing, Operations, Quality, and suppliers.
• Maintain NSI portfolio, scorecards, and project lists.
• Drive continuous improvement and APQP discipline across projects.
• Plan timelines, align with deliverables, and present updates.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

APQP

NSI Process

Quality Tools

Job description

Career Area: Engineering 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 Purpose: To lead a Business Unit wide multi-functional team which manages all phases of the NSI (New Source Introduction) process for component-sourcing projects.

Job Duties: This position works with Engine Components & Thermal Systems (ECTS) Engineering team, Platform Engineering, Customer Service, Purchasing, Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Business Services, PMO, PSLD, Reman, and Suppliers to plan and execute critical sourcing projects for 3500, C175, 3600 & Med Vee ECTS components.

Key responsibilities

• Process Ownership of LPSD’s New Source Introduction (NSI) Workstream
• Possess expertise in all NSI disciplines; lead continuous improvement efforts
• Provide teaching and coaching for project leaders
• Maintain process guidance documentation (checklists, process flow map, templates, etc…)
• Provide and discuss Key Gateway Deliverables list
• Align project timelines with deliverables to determine gateway dates
• Provide and discuss gateway agenda template
• Provide and discuss DR/PR and Gateway examples
• Manage NSI Portfolio for ECTS Components
• Maintain NSI Project List of project ideas and active projects
• Meet weekly w/ Engineering Managers to update NSI Project List
• Track project performance by maintaining NSI Scorecard
• Present NSI Project List and NSI Scorecards to Product Manager in Monthly NSI Portfolio meeting
• Maintain NSI OBEYA charts and present to Product Manager in Monthly PM OBEYA meeting
• Lead NSI projects aligned with Large Engine Growth, Supplier resiliency and Assurance of supply initiatives
• Run Sourcing Council-approved projects from GW L-1 through GW 7
• Adhere to APQP discipline as the foundational process for executing all sourcing projects
• Utilize NSI Process Flow Map and Planning Template
• Schedule and lead weekly team meetings
• Meet key deliverables for each gateway
• Document and archive Applied Learning at GW 6 or GW 7

Typical major internal customers include employees from two or more work groups in a Division. External contacts include suppliers from whom Caterpillar procure material to produce engines. The incumbent sets priorities and establishes a work plan in order to complete broadly defined assignments and achieve desired results.

Impacts key quality goals including Customer Satisfaction, Continuous Improvement, Timeliness, Accuracy, Efficiency, Cost Savings, Process Quality, etc.

The position monitors adherence to quality standards and develops action plans for addressing below-standard performance.

Basic Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field with 10+ years of relevant experience engaged with cross-functional or technical teams Excellent problem-solving skills Strong leadership and team management capabilities Strong written and verbal communications skills with demonstrated ability to tailor communications to multiple levels of the organization.

Top candidates will also have: Master’s degree in engineering or the sciences strongly preferred Strong understanding & experience of the multiple functional disciplines that support component-sourcing work, or direct work experience in at least one of these areas: Supply Chain, Procurement (Strategic and Tactical), Engineering, Product Management, Manufacturing, Quality, and Business Services roles.

Skill Descriptors

Planning

Tactical, Strategic: Knowledge of effective planning techniques and ability to contribute to operational (short term), tactical (3-5 years) and strategic (5-7 years) planning in support of the overall business plan.

Level Basic Understanding

• Explains tactical plan for own area.
• Defines concepts of short-term and long-term planning.
• Describes the planning process and planning cycle used in own area.
• Compares tactical to strategic planning.
• Strong manufacturing process knowledge in key categories like Casting, Non metallics, Fabrications and on engine cooling components.

Products and Services

Knowledge of major products and services and product and service groups; ability to apply knowledge of product and service appropriately to diverse situations.

• Describes how own unit's products and services fit within the organization's as a whole.
• Cites examples of how clients are using the organization's products and services.
• Collects research product information, service information and marketing literature.
• Identifies organization's flagship products and services.

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.

• Explains the purpose and limitations of quality management.
• Accesses organizational resources that enable quality management.
• Defines quality management concepts.
• Cites examples of organizational quality management initiatives.

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 behaviours.

• Describes non-verbal behaviours that influence the interpretation of the message.
• Cites examples of effective and ineffective communications.
• Explains the importance of effective business communication.
• Speaks/writes using correct language, mechanics, and gestures.

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.

• Explains the value of a disciplined approach to problem solving.
• Describes problem reporting and escalation practices.
• Utilizes accepted procedures for problem analysis and resolution.
• Identifies key aspects of problem-solving techniques used in own area.

Customer Service Management

Knowledge of customer service priorities and ability to utilize tools and techniques for maintaining an environment where all understand, and are committed to providing excellent service to internal and external customers, process partners.

• Demonstrates an understanding of the underlying concepts and values of a service organization.
• Seeks help, as needed, in satisfying customers.
• Identifies key characteristics of effective customer service.
• Cites examples of keeping the customer as the focal point of all team activity.

Program / Project Management

Knowledge of the policies and techniques to manage a set of related projects within a program; ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control the set of projects, ensuring efficient utilization of technical and administrative resources to achieve program objectives.

• Assists in detailed project plans including cost, schedule, and resource requirements.
• Participates in planning, estimating, and executing a set of projects.
• Follows standard criteria to track project progress and status to ensure they are in line with program objectives.
• Monitors standard project status reports.
• Coordinating the necessary resources for managing efficient and effective projects within the program.

Design for Manufacturability (DFM)

Knowledge of design for manufacturability guidelines, methodologies, and use cases; ability to use this knowledge to optimize product designs and manufacturing operations.

• Discusses the use cases, benefits, and importance of DFM.
• Explains the key DFM design principles.
• Lists the major tools and technologies used for implementing DFM methodologies.
• Locates the DFM guidelines for various types of manufacturing processes within the organization.

Additional information: This job requires 5 working days from office

This Job Description is intended as a general guide to the job duties for this position and is intended for the purpose of establishing the specific salary grade. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive summary of all responsibilities, duties and effort required of employees assigned to this job. At the discretion of management, this description may be changed at any time to address the evolving needs of the organization. It is expressly not intended to be a comprehensive list of “essential job functions” as that term is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.

There’s more to work at Caterpillar than just the work itself. We hire smart, friendly people and it shows in our culture. We hold ourselves to high standards and make sure our values of integrity, excellence, teamwork, commitment and sustainability come to life in the way we work. We make sure our employees feel continuously challenged while also supported. We provide professional growth opportunities, including leadership programs. We celebrate the diversity of our team, while also working together as one Caterpillar. Our culture, like everything at our company, is made possible by each employee’s contribution. Person by person, we create the environment we work in, and we are proud of the Caterpillar we’ve built.