Aftermarket Inventory Strategy Analyst

Caterpillar Inc.; Morton (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking an Aftermarket Inventory Strategy Analyst in Morton, IL (on-site).

You will partner with Caterpillar dealers to optimize service parts availability and inventory performance, translating data into practical recommendations that reduce backorders and improve service levels. The role emphasizes analytics, problem solving, and stakeholder management, with up to 10% travel and no relocation provided.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of problem solving approaches and tools to resolve organizational issues.
• Ability to gather, synthesize, and analyze data from multiple stakeholders to reach conclusions.
• Experience communicating analyses and recommendations to varied audiences.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data interpretation.
• Experience with dashboards and reporting to drive decisions.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted inventory management advisor to Caterpillar dealers, building relationships and delivering data-driven recommendations.
• Analyze inventory, performance data to improve availability, reduce backorders, and optimize investments.
• Partner with dealers to align inventory strategies with business goals and service targets.
• Conduct simulations to evaluate stocking decisions and outcomes.
• Lead reviews with dealers and internal stakeholders, presenting metrics and actionable insights.
• Identify root causes of gaps and collaborate on solutions to boost productivity.
• Translate analyses into clear business recommendations for diverse audiences.
• Provide training and ongoing support on inventory optimization tools and reporting.
• Troubleshoot planning and system issues affecting dealer operations.
• Influence decisions with data-driven recommendations and measurable results.
• Support process improvements, dashboards, and reporting across the dealer network.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive optimization initiatives.

Skills

Problem Solving

Effective Communications

Accuracy & Detail

Analytical Thinking

Data Gathering & Analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Engineering, or related field

Tools

SQL

Snowflake

SAS

Power BI

Excel

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.

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who care not just about the work we do - but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers and future work 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.

Our Product Support and Logistics Division (PSLD)

Our Product Support and Logistics Division (PSLD) is one of the most innovative divisions within Caterpillar. In PSLD, as within all of Caterpillar, our priority is our customers and helping them build a better world. We touch nearly every element of the services value stream. PSLD is responsible for Aftermarket Parts Distribution of Cat Parts, Integrated Logistics and Global Services supporting Caterpillar dealers and customers. Our teams work together in critical areas that leverage digital capabilities, technology and operational excellence.

Aftermarket Inventory Strategy Analyst

As an Aftermarket Inventory Strategy Analyst, you will be responsible for partnering with Caterpillar dealers to improve service parts availability, inventory performance, and customer satisfaction. Serving as a trusted inventory management advisor, you will analyze data, identify opportunities for improvement, and provide recommendations that help dealers optimize inventory investments, reduce backorders and excess inventory, and achieve key business objectives. This role combines analytics, problem-solving, and relationship management, requiring the ability to translate complex data and system insights into practical solutions for dealers and internal stakeholders.

Additional Information

• This role is located in Morton, IL or Dallas, TX and does not offer relocation.
• This role is 1st shift, Monday - Friday.
• This role is 100% on-site with no opportunity for hybrid or remote schedules
• This role requires up to 10% domestic travel

What You Will Do

• Serve as a trusted inventory management advisor to assigned Caterpillar dealers, building strong relationships and providing data-driven recommendations that improve inventory performance and customer satisfaction.
• Analyze inventory, operational, and business performance data to identify opportunities to improve product availability, reduce backorders, optimize inventory investment, and increase service levels.
• Partner with dealers to develop inventory strategies that align with business objectives, customer demand, and service performance targets.
• Conduct inventory simulations and scenario analyses to help dealers evaluate stocking decisions, inventory investments, and potential business outcomes.
• Lead performance reviews with dealers and internal stakeholders, presenting key metrics, trends, and actionable recommendations to drive continuous improvement.
• Identify root causes of inventory performance gaps and collaborate with dealers to implement solutions that enhance inventory productivity and customer availability.
• Translate complex analytical findings and technical concepts into clear business recommendations that can be understood by stakeholders at all levels.
• Provide training, consultation, and ongoing support to help dealers adopt inventory optimization tools, reporting solutions, and industry best practices.
• Troubleshoot inventory planning and system-related issues impacting dealer operations and work collaboratively to resolve challenges.
• Influence business decisions through facts, data analysis, and strategic recommendations while partnering with dealers to achieve shared service and inventory performance goals.
• Support process improvement initiatives, reporting enhancements, dashboard development, and other projects that strengthen inventory management capabilities across the dealer network.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive inventory optimization initiatives and deliver measurable business results for dealers and Caterpillar.

What You Have (Basic Requirements)

• 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.
• 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.
• Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision.
• 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.
• Data Gathering & Analysis: Knowledge of data gathering and analysis tools, techniques, and processes; ability to collect and synthesize data from a variety of stakeholders and sources in an objective manner to reach a conclusion, goal, or judgment.

What Will Set You Apart (Top Candidates Will Have)

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience in inventory management, supply chain analytics, demand planning, forecasting, logistics, or inventory optimization.
• Proven ability to analyze large datasets, uncover trends and root causes, and translate insights into actionable business recommendations.
• Strong analytical skills with experience using tools such as SQL, Snowflake, SAS, Power BI, and advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Understanding of how analytical models, calculations, and business metrics are developed, with the ability to validate results and identify data issues.
• Experience influencing customers, stakeholders, or business partners through data-driven recommendations and consultative problem-solving.
• Ability to communicate complex analytical concepts in a clear, practical manner to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience conducting business reviews, presenting findings, and building trusted relationships with customers, dealers, suppliers, or operational teams.
• Knowledge of inventory planning, service level management, backorder reduction, inventory investment strategies, and operational performance metrics.
• Experience supporting operational improvements through stakeholder engagement, training, process improvement initiatives, or change management efforts.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build credibility, navigate diverse personalities, and confidently engage with customers and leaders at all levels.
• Experience creating dashboards, reports, visualizations, or decision-support tools that drive business performance.
• Self-motivated approach with the ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and follow through on commitments in a fast-paced environment.

What You Will Get

This is Caterpillar - creating and delivering world