Value Chain Designer

Caterpillar; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance available

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Decatur, IL is seeking a Value Chain Designer to shape an integrated, high-performing value chain for a key product group.

You will manage complex supply streams and connect supplier capacity with demand while supporting product development through NPI strategy. The role requires overseeing end-to-end value-chain improvements, collaborating across operations, procurement, and planning to optimize availability and cost.

Qualifications

• Experience in value-chain planning and S&OP in a manufacturing environment.
• NPI value chain or product engineering experience.
• Experience with ERP, MRP, analytics or BI tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, implementation, and ongoing management of complex supply streams for a defined product group, including global reach.
• Build end-to-end view of the value chain by connecting supplier capacity, value stream mapping, and inventory strategy.
• Drive NPI value chain strategy and cost strategies to meet product availability expectations.
• Manage supplier relationships and processes to ensure adequate product supply and alignment with inventory objectives.
• Support supplier evaluation by assessing capability, delivery, risk, and quality.
• Analyze supply-chain trends, forecasts, and delivery performance to identify improvement opportunities.
• Establish partnerships across functions to improve coordination and reduce silos.
• Lead major supply-chain improvement projects including planning, risk, and stakeholder communication.

Skills

Process Management

Analytical Thinking

Effective Communications

Problem Solving

Process Mapping/Flowcharting

Root Cause Analysis

Education

Degree or equivalent experience

Tools

ERP systems

MRP

Advanced planning software

BI 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.

As the Value Chain Designer , you will help shape an integrated, resilient, and high-performing value chain for a key product group. You will manage complex supply streams, connect supplier capabilities with inventory and customer requirements, support product development value stream strategy through New Product Introduction (NPI), and turn forecast, delivery, cost, and performance data into practical improvements. This role is ideal for a supply chain leader who can see beyond individual planning activities and understand how decisions across suppliers, operations, inventory, and customer demand affect total value-chain performance.

Additional Information:

Location: Decatur, Illinois

Travel: Up to 15% (domestic and international)

Relocation Assistance: Available

Visa Sponsorship: Not Available

Work Arrangement: On-site

What You'll Do:

• Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing management of complex supply streams serving a defined product group, including streams with global reach.
• Build an end-to-end view of the value chain by connecting supplier capacity, value stream mapping, material availability, inventory strategy, operational priorities, and customer requirements (demonstrated availability).
• NPI value chain strategy and value chain cost strategy to meet customer expectations for product availability.
• Manage supplier relationships and supporting processes to help ensure adequate product supply, reliable delivery, and alignment with inventory objectives.
• Support supplier evaluation and selection by assessing value-chain capability, delivery performance, risk, quality, and operational fit.
• Analyze supply-chain trends, sales information, forecasts, on-time delivery, inventory performance, and operational constraints to identify improvement opportunities.
• Establish effective partnerships across operations, procurement, logistics, planning, business partners, and other internal functions to improve coordination and reduce functional silos.
• Lead significant supply-chain and value-chain improvement projects, including project planning, resource coordination, risk identification, contingency development, performance monitoring, assurance of supply improvement, NPI Value Chain Product Improvement, Value Chain Cost and Total Cost of ownership, and stakeholder communication.

What skills you will have:

• Process Management: Champions continuous process improvement through governance, optimization, performance monitoring, and the adoption of best practices, tools, and methodologies.
• Analytical Thinking: Applies structured analytical techniques to identify root causes, evaluate risks and opportunities, and develop data-driven solutions to complex business challenges.
• Effective Communications: Effectively communicates complex information across all organizational levels, adapting messaging to the audience while influencing stakeholders and fostering collaboration.
• Problem Solving: Leads the resolution of complex, high-impact business issues by organizing stakeholders, evaluating alternatives, assessing risks, and implementing sustainable solutions.
• Process Mapping/Flowcharting: Utilizes advanced process mapping methodologies to document, analyze, and improve business processes while establishing organizational standards and best practices.
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA): Leads structured root cause analysis efforts to identify underlying issues, implement corrective actions, prevent recurrence, and promote a culture of continuous improvement.

Top Candidates will also have:

• Education or equivalent experience: A degree or equivalent relevant experience is desired.
• Experience leading value-chain planning, integrated business planning, supply planning, material planning, or sales and operations planning in a manufacturing environment.
• NPI team lead experience or equivalent experience.
• Product engineering experience or equivalent experience.
• Experience with enterprise resource planning, material requirements planning, advanced planning, supply-chain analytics, or business intelligence tools.
• Experience with value-stream mapping, scenario planning, constraint management, root-cause analysis, or continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of supplier risk, network resilience, capacity planning, and end-to-end value-chain tradeoffs.
• Relevant certification such as Certified Supply Chain Professional, Certified in Planning and Inventory Management, or a comparable supply-chain credential is desired.

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