Value Chain Engineer

Caterpillar Inc.; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 89,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off plan

401(k) savings plans

Tuition Reimbursement

Career Development

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Decatur, IL is seeking a Value Chain Engineer to optimize end-to-end value chain processes for Large Wheel Loader products.

You will analyze inbound, value-added, and outbound activities, develop business cases, and lead cross-functional improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, quality, cost, and customer value. You will collaborate across functions to map current and future states, implement new processes and tools, and drive sustainable improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or related field.
• Experience analyzing and improving end-to-end value chain or supply chain processes.
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong analytical and data-driven problem-solving skills.
• Experience implementing process improvements across cross-functional teams.
• RCA and process optimization experience.

Responsibilities

• Analyze inbound, value-added, and outbound value chain processes to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Develop business cases, capability studies, and value chain assessments to support optimization.
• Create and maintain value stream models showing current and future state networks.
• Implement new processes, tools, and workflow improvements to enhance end-to-end value chain performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to govern process changes and ensure alignment.
• Identify and eliminate inefficiencies related to time, cost, materials, and energy.
• Evaluate process performance metrics and recommend actions to drive operational excellence.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, velocity, cost reduction, and customer satisfaction.
• Lead process mapping activities and document workflows to identify gaps and opportunities.
• Lead problem-solving and root-cause analysis to address challenges and improve outcomes.

Skills

Value chain analysis

Process mapping

Lean Six Sigma

Cross-functional collaboration

Root Cause Analysis

Data-driven problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

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.

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.

Caterpillar's Large Wheel Loader Product Group is seeking a Value Chain Engineer to support Large Wheel Loaders, Wheel Dozers, and Compactors by driving improvements across the end-to-end value chain. In this role, you will analyze inbound, value-added, and outbound value chain processes, identify opportunities to improve performance, and implement solutions that enhance efficiency, quality, cost, and customer value. You will collaborate across multiple functions to develop business cases, optimize processes, eliminate waste, and support the delivery of sustainable business results.

What You'll Do

• Analyze inbound, value-added, and outbound value chain processes to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Develop business cases, capability studies, and value chain assessments to support process optimization initiatives.
• Create and maintain value stream models that depict current-state and future-state network configurations.
• Implement new processes, tools, and workflow improvements that enhance end-to-end value chain performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to govern process changes and ensure alignment across workstreams.
• Identify and eliminate inefficiencies related to time, cost, materials, and energy consumption.
• Evaluate process performance metrics and recommend actions that drive operational excellence.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, velocity, cost reduction, and customer satisfaction.
• Facilitate process mapping activities and document workflows to identify gaps, redundancies, and improvement opportunities.
• Lead problem-solving and root cause analysis efforts to address process challenges and improve business outcomes.

What Skills Will You Have

Business Process Design: Apply business process design principles to evaluate and optimize key value chain processes. Utilize process design tools and methodologies to assess workflows, identify improvement opportunities, and recommend solutions that enhance organizational performance and operational effectiveness.

Business Process Improvement: Support continuous improvement initiatives by gathering and analyzing process data, identifying waste and variation, and recommending solutions that improve efficiency, quality, and overall business performance. Collaborate with stakeholders to successfully implement process improvements.

Process Management: Utilize process management tools and techniques to monitor, analyze, and improve business processes. Develop process flows, identify bottlenecks, document decision points, and implement sustainable improvements that support operational goals.

Analytical Thinking: Apply structured problem-solving methods and analytical tools to evaluate complex business challenges. Interpret data, identify trends, assess alternatives, and develop recommendations that drive informed decision-making and value chain improvements.

Effective Communications: Communicate process improvement opportunities, analysis results, and project updates clearly and effectively to stakeholders at all levels of the organization. Develop presentations, reports, and recommendations that influence decisions and drive alignment across teams.

Root Cause Analysis (RCA): Apply RCA techniques and structured investigation methods to identify underlying causes of process inefficiencies and operational issues. Lead analysis efforts that drive corrective actions, prevent recurrence, and improve organizational performance.

Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, Operations Management, or a related field.

Top Candidates Will Have

• Experience analyzing and improving end-to-end value chain or supply chain processes.
• Process mapping and value stream mapping experience.
• Experience developing business cases and capability studies.
• Continuous improvement experience utilizing Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.
• Strong analytical and data-driven problem-solving skills.
• Experience implementing process improvements across cross-functional teams.
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and process optimization experience.
• Experience supporting manufacturing, product development, or heavy equipment operations.

Additional Information

The primary work location for this role is Decatur, IL, with a requirement to work on-site full-time at a Caterpillar facility.

Up to 10% travel may be required.

Domestic relocation assistance not available.

Visa sponsorship, international assignments, or payroll transfers are not available for this role.

Posting Dates

09/16/2026 - 09/30/2026

Summary Pay Range

$89,210.00 - $133,810.00

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

Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of 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.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates

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.