Product Availability Lead

Caterpillar; Peoria (IL); On-site; USD 113,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) savings plans

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Career development

Incentive bonus

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Peoria, IL is seeking a Product Availability Lead to develop and execute an end-to-end availability strategy for the product line.

You will drive world-class availability by aligning supply assurance, data-driven decisions, and cross-functional coordination across manufacturing and distribution centers. The role emphasizes proactive planning, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement to remove barriers in the order-to-delivery journey, with 20% travel and a

Qualifications

• Degree in engineering, supply chain, operations, manufacturing or related field.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to convey complex concepts clearly.
• Experience with RCA and root-cause analysis in a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of process mapping and workflow documentation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the availability strategy for the product line.
• Drive end-to-end machine availability to meet customer needs.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives with sales, logistics, and manufacturing teams.
• Coordinate with global facilities and distribution centers to optimize inventory and flow.

Skills

Degree requirements

Analytical thinking

Effective communication

Problem solving

Root cause analysis (RCA)

Process mapping/flowcharting

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analytics proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, supply chain, operations, manufacturing or related field

Tools

Data analytics 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.

Role Summary:

The Product Availability Lead is responsible for developing and executing the end‑to‑end availability strategy for the product line. This role ensures world‑class product availability by aligning supply assurance, data‑driven decision‑making, and cross‑functional coordination across manufacturing facilities and product distribution centers. The lead will champion a breakthrough customer order‑to‑delivery experience by driving a tactical execution plan to deliver the strategy.

What You’ll Do (Job Duties):

• Availability Strategy & Execution: Develop and deliver the availability strategy for the product line. Deliver end‑to‑end machine availability to meet customer needs. Drive world‑class availability performance through proactive planning, problem‑solving, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Data Analytics & Tactical Management: Proactively leverage advanced data analytics to identify risks, opportunities, and emerging trends influencing product availability. Execute tactical plans that improve order fulfillment, lead times, and overall delivery performance. Monitor real‑time supply chain signals and take decisive action to resolve availability constraints.
• Customer Order‑to‑Delivery Excellence: Lead initiatives aimed at transforming the customer experience from order placement through delivery. Partner with sales, logistics, and distribution teams to remove friction across the order‑to‑delivery journey. Ensure transparency, accuracy, and predictability in product availability communications.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Work closely with global manufacturing facilities to align production plans with market and customer requirements. Collaborate with Product Distribution Centers to optimize inventory positioning and material flow. Serve as the key availability liaison across product groups, supply chain, operations, and commercial organizations.

What You Have (Core Skills):

• Degree Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, supply chain, operations, manufacturing or related field.
• 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.
• Effective Communication: 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.
• GO SEE ACT. Root Cause Analysis (RCA): Knowledge of the concepts, principles and techniques of root cause analysis (RCA); ability to use a structured approach to identify the causes of undesirable consequences in a manufacturing environment and the changes needed to prevent recurrences.
• Process Mapping/Flowcharting: Knowledge of the concepts of process mapping; ability to carry out the documentation of current and proposed manufacturing processes to identify and make improvements.
• Top Candidates Will Also Have Experience with Dealers (Tech/Sales Rep), supply chain, operations, or manufacturing.
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in data tools and performance metrics.
• Ability to influence cross‑functional teams and drive execution in a fast‑paced environment.
• Excellent communication and problem‑solving abilities.

Additional Details:

• Work location: Peoria, IL
• Domestic relocation assistance is available for this role
• Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this role.
• Travel: 20%
• This position requires 5 days per week in the office (M-F)

Summary Pay Range:

$112,710.00 - $169,060.00 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

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.

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.