Material Planner

Career Area:

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.

Job Title: Material Planner

Salary: £ 31,414 + (depending on experience)

Location: Peterborough

Benefits: 

• 25 days annual leave + 8 Bank Holidays

• Up to 9% Bonus

• Contributory pension scheme - Caterpillar will double the employee's contribution Up to 10%

• Contributory share scheme - Caterpillar will match 50% of the employee's contribution.

• Optional flexible benefits including access to health and dental care plans, EV car lease, holiday purchase.

About IPSD

Caterpillar’s Industrial Power Systems Division (IPSD) designs, tests and manufactures 0.5 to 18L Cat® and Perkins engines that power over 5000 applications including Marine, Petroleum, Industrial Applications, Electric Generators, and Locomotives. Caterpillar’s company strategy includes sustainability as one of four focus areas and IPSD is engaged and actively preparing green energy solutions for the future. 

Job Summary

Responsible for scheduling, planning, and oversight of material procurement, production, and delivery.

The Inbound Supply Excellence team is responsible for ensuring externally sourced material is ordered and available on time, to support engine assembly and component machining operations, whilst utilising Plan For Every Part (PFEP) data to optimise component inventory levels, aligned to the business strategy, driving right part, right place, right packaging, right time best practice  

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Material Planner to join our team and gain valuable experience of the supply Chain function with our business.

What You Will Do:

• Coordinating flow of materials within the manufacturing facility. Coordinating transfer of materials (premium freight) to and from inventory or warehouse.

• Developing and executing material planning for a product line. Ensuring that all material requirements for assigned programs are satisfied within the allocated time frame.

• Scheduling and controlling the release of materials. Monitoring material inventory in the plant, in the warehouse, and by critical suppliers.

• Building up and following up procurement plan realization to ensure they align with business objectives.

• Tracking and analysing supplier performance metrics. Collaborating and negotiating with supplier to deliver materials per requirements.

What You Have: 

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.

Level Working Knowledge: 
• Identifies and documents specific problems and resolution alternatives  
• Examines a specific problem and understands the perspective of each involved stakeholder (internal and external customers/ suppliers)
• Develops alternative techniques for assessing accuracy and relevance of information.
• Helps to analyse risks and benefits of alternative approaches and obtain decision on resolution.
• Uses facts and data to identify problems.

Supplier Management - MFG: Knowledge of processes and methods to effectively manage business relationships and transactions with suppliers of raw materials or product components; ability to apply related knowledge, experience and skills into real practice.
Level Working Knowledge: 
• Follows procedures in carrying out routine supplier management tasks.
• Uses electronic systems or tools to record/retrieve supplier information and carry out transactions with suppliers
• Resolves routine supplier issues; escalates non-routine issues up chain of command.
• Works with suppliers to ensure that purchases meet  the ship/ delivery date expectations

Participates in developing materials requirements working with cross functional teams (NPI, purchasing, MPS, Track Planning) supporting CI activity, cutting in new pns, while focused on obsolete and surplus inventory management 
• Uses available tools to analyse orders and delivery dates.
• Manage firmed orders in line with agreed parameters, while focusing on planned orders, ensuring forward planning working with global suppliers

• Maintain system alignment as a primary function (routine task)

Inventory Management - MFG: Knowledge of processes and methods of inventory management; ability to effectively manage local or distributed inventories of raw materials, work-in-progress and finished goods.
Level Experience: 
• Ensures that the inventory is at an appropriate level and meets both internal and external requirements.
• Drive process improvement
• Provides guidance on inventory management for a specific product group or location related to supplier capacity.
• Applies systems and processes to identify and coordinate inventory requirements; resolves conflicts.
• Coordinates daily work of inventory management for different locations within a facility or a supply network (global material distribution).
• Reviews reports used for inventory management to find out related problems.

Logistics Management: Knowledge of logistics and management; ability to follow proper processes and run operations for effective and efficient movement of materials and finished products
Level Working Knowledge

Participates in integrating logistics processes and developing effective networks working with multiple carriers and warehouses.

• Works closely with goods inwards teams. Ensuring correct paperwork and supporting escalation timely

• Maintains records of all shipments and invoices using an established system, ensuring invoice grief is managed timely, working with support functions.

• Organise/ manage expedited freight using approved platforms

About Caterpillar

Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For nearly 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.

NB. The panel cannot make assumptions when shortlisting therefore please demonstrate your qualifications and experience on your CV relevant to the criteria outlined.

Pending the number of applications, the criteria for the position may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting. #LI

Posting Dates:

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply

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