JOB PURPOSE: Leads efforts with material suppliers and facility Supply Chain personnel to increase supplier capability. Leads work with Caterpillar supply chain functional areas to deliver tools, processes and expertise to Cat’s suppliers to enable them to replenish material to Caterpillar pull trigger systems and develop the supplier plan for every part. This role is accountable for building supplier partnerships in the deployment of lean, high quality, high velocity supply chain practices.

JOB RELATED STATISTICS:

% suppliers on pull – performing to 100% of annual corporate target where appropriate

Inventory turns – performing to 100% of annual corporate target

Supplier Performance – performing to 100% of annual corporate metrics

# of suppliers: Up to 300

Annual facility supplier spend: up to $10M

Direct Reports: Up to 10 Mgmt. and Sal., up to 25 Hrly. and up to 15 Agency/Contract

JOB DUTIES:

Direct Reports include Supply Chain Performance Engineers

Leveraging Common Goals Agreements, this position works with suppliers to build lean supply chain capability in the areas of material replenishment to facilities, improved Sales and Operations Planning, high-velocity throughput, optimized logistics and capacity planning.

Incumbent leads efforts to verify and improve supplier capacity, quality and delivery performance for a facility. This position leads collaboration with suppliers and multiple facility functions to address and resolve supplier issues using root cause and corrective action (RCCA). This position integrates efforts with facility supply chain planning, site global purchasing, operations, receiving, Global Transportation, Demand and Orders, Material Requirements Planning and Logistics.

The incumbent leads efforts at suppliers to perform Supplier Value Stream Mapping, material flow improvements and preparation to respond to pull triggers. This position provides leadership (sponsorship and governance) for 6 Sigma Rapid Improvement Workshops with suppliers and Caterpillar personnel as required.

Incumbent leads projects to implement improved supplier collaboration with Caterpillar and third party service providers using common collaboration technologies.

The incumbent works closely with facility supply chain planning leaders to deploy the Supply Chain Planning Process, providing leadership (and strategic direction) to teams implementing pull material replenishment at suppliers and in the development of suppliers’ plan for every part.

This position supports supplier efforts to improve performance to the Supplier Quality Monitor, and designs processes and standard work for robust MRDR for supplier material.

Incumbent ensures supplier interaction with facility packaging and transportation resources to optimize packaging, containerization, point of use presentation, barcode labeling, ASN compliance, enhanced communications related to quality improvements, and improving carrier selection and transportation container optimization.

Incumbent ensures that suppliers have adequate resources, including people, training materials, tooling, fixtures, and equipment, and provides technical support during start-up activities and ongoing strategic support.

Incumbent provides leadership, coaching, focus, motivation and encouragement to direct reports. Responsible for coaching, developing and mentoring resources.

Incumbent is responsible for all personnel issues and performance evaluation of direct reports, including development, capability building and succession planning.

Significant Travel Required (50% - 75% working time)

POSITION IMPACTS: Incumbent is responsible to achieve PQVC targets across Inventory Level / Turns, point of use material availability, Supplier Delivery Performance and Supplier Quality (ie: APQP, PPM, PCA) for a facility.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

•Completion of Caterpillar Leadership training

•Knowledge and understanding of 6 Sigma project management principles

•CPS Functional Job Role Qualified

•APICS CPIM or CSPC National Certification highly desired.

•Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills.

•College or university degree related to Supply Chain, or equivalent experience, is required.

•Excellent interpersonal, communication and leadership skills

•Solid product knowledge

•Excellent teamwork and leadership skills

•Strong supplier relationship management skills

•The ability to develop and deploy creative / original solutions to complex problems

•Thorough understanding of company policies and procedures, especially supplier-focused Caterpillar initiatives

•Solid logistics and manufacturing knowledge

BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE:

•Minimum of five to 10-15 years of supply chain or related job experience

•Experience in Global Purchasing, Material Requirements, or Supply Chain / Logistics is highly desired.