Supplier Development Engineer

Procurement Role at Caterpillar Inc.

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.

This role focuses on end-to-end part development and quality management for large weldments, ensuring that manufacturing standards at the supplier level meet Caterpillar's specifications and end-customer requirements. The position plays a critical role in supporting New Product Introduction (NPI), Continuous Product Improvement (CPI), and New Source Introduction (NSI) initiatives through close collaboration with suppliers, design control engineers, value chain engineering, and procurement category teams.

You will be responsible for driving supplier performance improvements by identifying capability gaps and implementing corrective actions to meet quality, cost, and delivery expectations. This includes assessing supplier quality systems and ensuring all products are defect-free and compliant with manufacturing specifications and regulatory standards.

What You Will Do:

• Lead Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and quality management activities from concept through Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), ensuring parts are delivered at the right quality, total cost, and timeline to meet end-customer requirements. Collaborate cross-functionally with packaging, transportation, business resources, and supply chain teams to drive quality outcomes.
• Improve supplier performance by identifying capability gaps and implementing corrective actions to meet quality, cost, and delivery standards.
• Assess supplier quality to ensure products are defect-free and compliant with manufacturing specifications and legal standards.
• Serve as a trusted quality expert, translating Caterpillar drawing requirements and technical specifications into actionable shopfloor processes.
• Train and monitor suppliers to achieve desired in-process and final product quality.
• Implement product supply strategies aligned with category management goals to build a competitive, world-class supply network.
• Manage quality feedback loops to ensure lessons learned from defects are applied across the supply base.
• Act as the single point of contact for supplier quality management, improvement, and governance through close collaboration, training, and execution.
• Drive Value Analysis and Value Engineering (VAVE) initiatives through cost modeling, design for manufacturability, and leveraging supplier capabilities.
• Identify, audit, train, and develop suppliers by instilling Caterpillar's quality standards throughout the supply base.
• Ensure incoming supplies meet quality standards through testing and assessments; develop robust inspection and evaluation mechanisms.
• Monitor supplier defect rates, generate quality reports, and guide suppliers in reducing flaws and improving performance.
• Research and assess potential vendors, conduct quality control audits, and ensure compliance with organizational and regulatory standards.
• Support suppliers in performance improvement through process enhancements, control implementation, and quality assurance planning. Education Requirement: Degree or equivalent experience desired.

What Skills You Will Have:

Effective Communication

• Delivers constructive feedback focused on behavior and improvement.
• Listens actively and adapts based on verbal and non-verbal cues.
• Communicates clearly in presentations and written reports.
• Avoids unnecessary jargon to ensure clarity across audiences.

Problem Solving

• Identifies and documents problems with practical resolution options.
• Considers stakeholder perspectives and analyzes risks and benefits.
• Applies fact-finding techniques and diagnostic tools effectively.
• Develops alternative approaches to assess information accuracy.

Process Improvement

• Defines and improves critical workflows to enhance performance.
• Identifies and addresses process inefficiencies.
• Implements controls and methods for sustainable improvements.
• Escalates systemic issues for broader organizational resolution.

Quality Orientation

• Uses objective data to drive quality decisions and improvements.
• Eliminates non-value-added activities and unnecessary work.
• Documents learnings to support continuous improvement.
• Identifies root causes of quality issues beyond team boundaries.

Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)

• Develops and monitors PPAP procedures to meet customer standards.
• Resolves issues in PPAP submissions and ensures compliance.
• Reviews documentation and trains others on PPAP execution.
• Builds trust across stakeholders during approval processes.

Manufacturing Standards & Procedures

• Supports implementation of manufacturing policies and standards.
• Explains rationale behind procedures and identifies exceptions.
• Provides feedback to improve operational guidelines.
• Ensures compliance within own functional area.

Supplier Management – Manufacturing

• Builds and maintains partnerships with key suppliers.
• Monitors performance and resolves discrepancies.
• Develops supplier quality standards and controls.
• Manages risk and legal considerations in supplier relationships.

Supplier Evaluation & Certification

• Assists in supplier selection and certification processes.
• Gathers and assesses supplier reputation and references.
• Applies evaluation criteria to products and services.
• Supports documentation and procedural steps for certification.

Top Candidates Will Also Have:

• Welding certifications such as AWS CWI or equivalent.

Additional Details:

Location Options: Tucson, AZ; South Milwaukee, WI; or Mossville, IL

Relocation Assistance: Not available

Work Authorization: Sponsorship is not available for this position

Travel Requirements: Up to 50% travel may be required.

Work Arrangement: On-site, 5 days per week

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:

• 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