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Supplier Development Engineer I

Caterpillar

Caterpillar

mossville, il, usa · Decatur, IL, USA
USD 95,640-143,520 / year
Posted on Aug 28, 2025

Career Area:

Procurement

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.

Responsible for improving supplier performance by identifying capability gaps and implementing corrective actions to ensure quality, cost, and delivery standards are met.

What You Will Do:
• Ensuring the quality of supplies by conducting tests and assessments on incoming supplies to identify any quality issues; Developing supplier inspection, testing, and evaluation mechanism.
• Generating reports on supplier quality, by monitoring their defect rates and areas that can lead to potential flaws; Guiding suppliers to reduce these defect rates.
• Researching the potential vendors, assessing their manufacturing environment, practices, and procedures; Conducting supplier quality control audits to ensure compliance with organizational and federal policies and standards.
• Supporting suppliers in improving their performance through process enhancements, implementing process controls, and developing quality assurance plans.

Education Requirement:
Bachelor’s Degree Required

What You Will Have:
Effective Communications
Understanding of communication concepts, tools, and techniques to effectively transmit, receive, and interpret information.

  • Delivers constructive feedback and listens without defensiveness.
  • Communicates clearly in presentations and written reports, avoiding unnecessary jargon.
  • Interprets non-verbal cues to enhance understanding.

Problem Solving
Ability to recognize, anticipate, and resolve operational or process issues using appropriate tools and techniques.

  • Identifies problems and evaluates resolution options.
  • Considers stakeholder perspectives and analyzes risks and benefits.
  • Applies fact-finding and diagnostic tools effectively.

Process Improvement
Focus on evaluating product quality and production methods to drive continuous improvement.

  • Identifies and addresses process inefficiencies.
  • Implements controls and prioritizes high-impact improvements.
  • Escalates systemic issues for organizational resolution.

Quality Orientation
Commitment to quality management practices that support organizational goals.

  • Uses objective data to drive decisions and eliminate non-value-added activities.
  • Documents learnings for continuous improvement.
  • Addresses root causes, even beyond immediate team scope.

Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)
Expertise in PPAP elements and submissions to ensure supplier compliance with quality standards.

  • Develops and monitors validation procedures and PPAP execution.
  • Resolves implementation issues and builds stakeholder trust.
  • Reviews documentation and trains others on PPAP levels.

Manufacturing Standards, Procedures and Policies
Knowledge of manufacturing standards and ability to ensure process compliance.

  • Participates in implementing and improving procedures.
  • Explains rationale and investigates exceptions.
  • Supports development of functional manufacturing policies.

Supplier Management – MFG
Ability to manage supplier relationships and ensure quality and performance.

  • Monitors supplier performance and resolves discrepancies.
  • Develops standards and maintains strategic partnerships.
  • Manages reporting and record-keeping requirements.

Supplier Evaluations and Certification
Skills in evaluating and certifying suppliers using defined methods and criteria.

  • Assesses supplier reputation and product quality.
  • Participates in certification processes and documentation.
  • Applies evaluation criteria to support selection decisions.

Top Candidates Will Also Have:

  • Experience with Steel Castings and familiarity with Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP).
  • Exposure to manufacturing environments involving complex engineered components.
  • Ability to navigate supplier relationships and quality systems with confidence.

Additional Details:

  • Relocation: Domestic relocation assistance is available.
  • Sponsorship: Employment sponsorship is not offered for this role.
  • Travel: Up to 50% travel may be required.
  • Location: This role is based in Mossville and Decatur, IL

Summary Pay Range:

$95,640.00 - $143,520.00

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

Posting Dates:

August 27, 2025 - September 10, 2025

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.

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