Sales & Operations Planning Manager

Caterpillar•Peoria, IL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sales & Operations Planning Manager leads Caterpillar’s global monthly S&OP process for the Tracked Product Group portfolio, including Large Dozers, Electric Rope Shovels, Hydraulics Mining Shovels, and Surface Rock Drills. The role aligns commercial demand, manufacturing capacity, supply chain capability, inventory strategy, and financial objectives into an integrated operating plan. It is an enterprise leadership position requiring cross-functional alignment among commercial, manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, procurement, finance, and executive teams. The manager translates market opportunities into executable production and delivery strategies while balancing customer commitments, operational constraints, and business objectives. The role leads a global team and influences stakeholders across functions and regions to support product availability, profitable growth, and operational excellence. The role is based in Peoria, Illinois, or Tucson, Arizona, and requires onsite work five days per week. Moderate travel of 5%–15% of working time is required. Domestic relocation is offered; visa sponsorship is not available. Applications are accepted through November 5, 2026.

Requirements

A college or university degree or equivalent job-related experience.
Significant experience in S&OP, demand planning, supply chain planning, operations planning, or manufacturing planning within a large, complex manufacturing environment.
Demonstrated experience leading an integrated S&OP process that aligns customer demand, supply, manufacturing capacity, inventory, production requirements, and financial objectives into executable business plans.
Experience developing demand forecasts, scenario-based plans, and long-range capacity strategies, and identifying constraints, supply risks, investment requirements, and growth opportunities.
Strong analytical and strategic decision-making capabilities, including establishing meaningful KPIs and translating complex data, market intelligence, and operational performance into actionable recommendations for senior and executive leadership.
Ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams across commercial, manufacturing, engineering, procurement, supply chain, finance, and other functions in a complex matrixed environment.
People leadership and executive communication skills, including developing high-performing teams, driving accountability, managing competing priorities, and leading through ambiguity and changing business conditions.
Strong understanding of manufacturing and supply chain execution, including MRP, production scheduling, capacity management, material availability, inventory, order fulfillment, and continuous improvement.
Extensive experience in customer focus, effective communications, negotiating, problem solving, and relationship management.
Advanced decision-making and critical-thinking skills, including analyzing complex business challenges, assessing risks and opportunities, using informed judgment and data, and driving sustainable results.
Advanced project management skills, including leading complex cross-functional initiatives and integrating MRP, production scheduling, and capacity planning.
Basic understanding of value selling, forecasting, demand planning, and market analysis.
Ability to travel moderately, approximately 5%–15% of working time, and work onsite five days per week.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Tracked Products, mining applications, customers, competitive dynamics, and global markets is highly valued.

Responsibilities

Own and lead the global monthly S&OP process for the Tracked Product portfolio.
Develop demand forecasts and scenario-based planning strategies that align market opportunities with operational capabilities.
Drive executive consensus on demand, supply, capacity, inventory, and financial plans.
Lead long-range capacity planning and identify strategic investments needed to support growth.
Govern inventory strategies, model mix optimization, and order fulfillment priorities across the portfolio.
Provide executive-level communication and recommendations regarding risks, opportunities, and business performance.
Partner with regional sales teams to understand market dynamics, competitive positioning, and customer demand signals.
Collaborate with manufacturing, engineering, procurement, and supply chain teams to align production and material strategies.
Establish and monitor key performance metrics to align forecast, production, inventory, and customer delivery performance.
Lead cross-functional efforts to identify, mitigate, and escalate supply chain constraints and operational risks.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance planning accuracy, decision quality, responsiveness, and business outcomes.
Develop and coach a high-performing team while fostering collaboration, accountability, and operational discipline.