Manager Material Requirements Planning

Caterpillar Inc.; Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 98,000 - 146,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) savings plans

Career Development

Incentive bonus

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Lafayette, IN is seeking a Manager of Materials Requirements Planning to lead a procurement team and ensure material availability for manufacturing.

This role partners with suppliers, operations, and engineering to maintain on-time delivery and drive continuous improvement. Qualified candidates have supervisory experience, a strong background in MRP/SAP, and a track record in manufacturing material planning and analytics.

Qualifications

• Experience in purchasing, procurement or material planning in manufacturing.
• Supervisory experience in manufacturing or materials management.
• Knowledge of MRP, SAP and material tracking systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Interpersonal and communication skills with a customer focus.

Responsibilities

• Direct reports include Material/Logistics Planning Analysts and Support Analysts.
• Lead team to ensure material availability meets customer needs and site objectives.
• Drive on-time shipping performance and root-cause analysis for underperforming suppliers.
• Monitor shortages, inventory discrepancies, and production reports; develop metrics.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across the value chain daily.
• Utilize systems like MRP, SAP, Power BI for planning and tracking.

Skills

Purchasing experience

Procurement experience

Material planning

Supervisory experience

MRP/SAP knowledge

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Problem solving

Data analysis (BI)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain or related

Tools

MRP

SAP

Job description

Job Description

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.

Career Area

Supply Chain and Logistics

About LPSD

The Large Power Systems Division (LPSD) is part of Caterpillar’s Power & Energy segment. Through this global organization, Caterpillar designs and manufactures large (greater than 18 liters) diesel and natural gas engines, powertrains and key engine systems. LPSD products and solutions support customers across power generation, industrial, marine, oil & gas, rail, services and Cat® machine applications worldwide.

LPSD teams work across regions and function to deliver safe, reliable and compliant solutions that help solve our customers’ toughest challenges.

About LEC (Lafayette Engine Center)

The Lafayette Engine Center (LEC) manufactures the Cat 3500, Cat 3600 and C175 engines helping Caterpillar become the world’s leading manufacturer of off-highway diesel and natural gas engines.

The units built at LEC power mining trucks carrying ore to be processed, tugboats guiding ships to harbor, drill rigs tapping oil and gas reserves and generators bringing electricity to communities, hospitals and data centers.

Job Summary

The Lafayette Engine Center in IN, has a 1st shift Manager Material Requirements Planning role which maintains agreed-upon inventory levels to provide a flow of raw materials and components from the supply chain to the manufacturing facility.

What You Will Do

• Direct Reports will include Material/Logistics Planning Analysts and Support Analysts within the Procurement team which consists of full time and agency employees.
• Leads team to ensure material availability meets customer needs and facility objectives through timely delivery of material from internal and external suppliers.
• Ensure team drives supply base to meet and maintain on time shipping performance and assist in driving Root Cause and Corrective action for suppliers not meeting expectations.
• This position will monitor shortage/surplus exceptions, inventory discrepancy reports, negative on hand report, missed shipment reports and inactive Purchase Order reports among others and ensure these are reconciled as well as develop a metric tracking system to measure team performance in these areas.
• This role will utilize strong communication skills as it will build relationships and interface daily with the entire Value Chain including supplier representatives, Purchasing, Operations management in both Assembly and the Machine Shop, Engineers and Engineering managers, Business Resources, Releasing Analysts, Warehousing personnel (internal and external) and other Supply Chain functions.
• Incumbent will utilize various systems that drive material planning, supplier management and material tracking functions including MRP, LOGNET, MRC, Power BI, MTS. Use of internal and external freight tracking systems may also be required.
• Execute supply chain functions related to the Lafayette Clean to Build process including data collection and analysis and leading daily meetings with Supply Chain, Operations, Quality and Engineering leadership.
• Responsible to lead direct reports through Career Development planning including Career Path mapping, training and opportunities for professional and personal development.
• This position will be expected to monitor team performance on a monthly basis using a scorecard review process measuring current metrics and integrating metrics yet to be determined.
• Formally evaluate performance of direct reports through mid-year and year end evaluation process and address all personnel issues.
• Incumbent will lead the selection process of both full time and agency employees as required

Degree Requirement

• Bachelors’ degree in Supply Chain or similar discipline preferred

What Will Put You Ahead

• Experience in a Purchasing, Procurement, or other Material Planning in a manufacturing environment.
• Prior supervisory experience in manufacturing or materials management.
• APICS, CPIM (Certified in Planning and Inventory Management)) or CSPC (Certified Supply Chain Professional) National Certification.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Solid supply chain planning, demand and orders, logistics and manufacturing knowledge.
• Practical knowledge/experience with Material Planning (MRP, SAP) and Material Tracking systems.
• Supply Chain experience and/or supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a customer service focus.
• Knowledge/understanding of 6 Sigma project management principles.
• Ability to work independently with minimal direction.

What You Will Have

• Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
• 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.
• Inventory Management - MFG: Knowledge of processes and methods of inventory management; ability to effectively manage local or distributed inventories of raw materials, work-in-progress and finished goods.
• Logistics Management: Knowledge of logistics and management; ability to follow proper processes and run operations for effective and efficient movement of materials and finished products.
• Performance Management: Knowledge of successful performance management techniques; ability to apply organization's performance management system, practices, and tools to developing and improving individual, team, and organizational performance.
• Planning and Organizing: Knowledge of the process of planning and arranging tasks and resources; ability to plan and organize both time and resources to get things completed while structuring and maintaining work in a systematic and highly methodical way.
• 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.

Additional Information

• Location of this position is in Lafayette, IN.
• Relocation assistance is available for this position.
• This position may require up to 10% travel.
• Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

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.

Summary Pay Range

$97,530.00 - $146,290.00

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits*
• Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*
• 401(k) savings plans*
• Health Savings Account (HSA)*
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*
• Health Lifestyle Programs*
• Employee Assistance Program*
• Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*
• Career Development*
• Incentive bonus*
• Disability benefits
• Life Insurance
• Parental leave
• Adoption benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement
• These benefits also apply to part‑time employees

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Relocation is available for this position.

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.

Posting Dates

August 27, 2026 - September 10, 2026