2027 Leadership & Technical Development Program (LTDP) - Procurement

Caterpillar Inc.•Peoria, IL

2d•$81,370 - $133,810•Onsite

About The Position

Caterpillar's Procurement Leadership and Technical Development Program (LTDP) is a three-year rotational program designed to develop entry-level talent and provide a foundation for careers in the Procurement function of Supply Chain. The program offers broad exposure to Caterpillar, diverse project responsibilities, participation in a global team, cross-functional job experiences, and networking with Caterpillar leaders. The Procurement track develops technical capabilities in Supplier Relationship Management, Supply Chain Integration, and Procurement, with training focused on procurement, manufacturing, quality, supplier management, and operations supervision. After successful completion of the three-year program, participants are placed in permanent positions within Caterpillar's Procurement function. Participants complete three 12-month rotations defined by business needs. They must be willing to travel and relocate to participating facilities in North America upon hire and throughout the rotations. The position is onsite five days a week. Most openings are in the Peoria, Illinois area, with a few in other areas; applicants may be considered for positions throughout the United States. Relocation is available to those who qualify. Sponsorship is not available. The program is scheduled to start in June 2027. The salary range is $81,370 to $133,810. Compensation and benefits may vary based on individualized factors, including job level, location, relevant knowledge, skills, performance, and experience. An offer is conditioned on successfully completing a drug screen.

Requirements

Complete a degree from a university or college by the start of the program in Business, Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Operations, or another relevant supply chain degree.
Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8/4.0 at the current institution; GPA is not rounded.
Be willing to travel and relocate domestically based on business needs for each rotation and the post-program assignment.
Demonstrate analytical skills, initiative, troubleshooting, problem-solving, and critical-thinking capabilities.
Work constructively and collaboratively with people of diverse cultures, interpersonal styles, and abilities.
Have a fundamental understanding of business process design, engineering in a manufacturing environment, supplier relationship management concepts, and logistics and supply chain management.
Organize and manage multiple projects simultaneously and quickly gain and effectively apply new skills and knowledge.
Have strong written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

0–2 years of relevant manufacturing or supply chain/logistics experience, which may include internships or academic projects.
Project or team leadership experience.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Interest in building foundational procurement skills, including supplier relationship management, supply chain integration, and manufacturing operations, generally within the first 0–2 years of a career.

Responsibilities

Complete three 12-month rotations based on business needs.
As a Category Buyer, direct the development, communication, and implementation of site, regional, or worldwide sourcing strategies; manage policies, agreements, source catalogs, and special purchasing programs; and support product-line NPI programs.
As a Facility Procurement Professional, manage supply-network procurement activities for a facility and support procurement excellence and integration between the Procurement organization and teams supporting facility or divisional leaders.
As a Supplier Development Engineer, collaborate with and advise the assigned supply base, providing technical expertise and leadership in executing a robust supplier-network quality plan.
As a Procurement Professional, analyze and maintain assigned processes, build expertise in the assigned process area, contribute to continuous improvement, and lead project management for process improvement, development, and execution.
Travel and relocate domestically to participating facilities as required for rotations and post-program assignment.
Contribute to an inclusive, constructive, and productive work environment and recognize and value team members' contributions.