Job Purpose

 EPD Compatibility Engineers are accountable for collaborative creation and maintenance of SAP variant configuration and SAP variant super BOMs on multiple systems (EPD SAP, CBS SAP, EOMP, GSOL) with high impact on multiple brand and market segments (F.G. Wilson brand(s), Olympian brand, Caterpillar brand – Retail, Rental, Investor, and Solutions) and multiple facilities (U.S., N.I., China, India, Brazil). 

This role represents an entry level into this specialized and complex area of expertise and is meant to build on previous VC or PC&DM experience. 

 The key role is to learn and assist; to gain an understanding of the interactions of multiple systems and the impact of compatibility decisions on order flow through order and production systems; to learn and develop skills in VC, super BOM, and PSPS; to develop collaborative relationships with product groups and facilities; to work on projects of low to moderate complexity; and to provide assistance to project teams or others in the work group.     

Job Duties:

• With support the incumbent collaborates with product group engineers and product definition to interpret price books and available literature such as engineering drawings and product brochures to determine the optimum structure to configure a finished product to a high quality standard for the relevant market segment.

• In addition to variant configuration for standard and design-to-order product the role may also require the ability to create logic on SAP and PSPS to create Control Panel Build Orders and to enable operations to load control panels with accurate data as specified by the customer.

• Decisions made by the incumbent may impact an entire product, process or facility and may affect warranty, sales and customer perception and therefore at this level the role requires a high degree of coaching and time to develop skills and understanding. 

• The role will require active participation in NPI, engineering change and other projects to offer knowledge, expert advice and to commit to VC and BOM task durations; therefore, the incumbent will need to actively seek the input of other team members or coaches.

• The incumbent will adhere to the control standards set by the Master Data Support team.

• The role will include rapid resolution of production critical and dealer facing issues of low complexity and thorough root cause analysis to ensure permanent corrective action is in place.

• The position uses technical expertise and product knowledge to play the leadership role in the problem resolution process.  The incumbent will be required to communicate highly complex, technical information to non-technical personnel to ensure the successful identification of root cause and corrective action.

• Accurate analysis and translation of business and customer requirements into system requirements to enable successful implementation of product change reflective in both the dealer facing sales systems and the manufacturing execution systems.

• Ability to communicate risks associated with different approaches to product introduction and change

• The relationships are multi-functional, across divisions and on a global scale.  The incumbent will be responsible for managing their own development and learning.  The incumbent participates in one or more 6 Sigma projects.

• Travel may be required to support pilots in the build facility or to collaborate with engineers during the releasing process to ensure satisfactory communication of product change and data processes on the global facility level.

Background/Experience

• This position requires a bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Computer Science and 3-5 years previous technical experience in ERP systems or Caterpillar’s engineering-to-release methodologies. 
• Strong interpersonal, communication and conflict management skill.