Supply Chain Planning Analyst (Early Talent) 2 Openings

Caterpillar Inc.•Lafayette, IN

1d•$81,370 - $122,060•Onsite

About The Position

The Supply Chain Analyst is an entry-level role responsible for supporting supply chain, sourcing, cost, price analyses, contract/purchase order generation, along with supporting facility performance targets related to inventory optimization, inventory turns, warehouse capacity utilization, and order-to-delivery performance. This position develops foundational supply chain, inventory management, and data analysis skills while partnering with cross-functional teams to identify and implement process improvements. Analysts support inventory reduction initiatives, replenishment strategies, material flow optimization, and lead time alignment efforts that drive operational efficiency. The role provides exposure to surplus and obsolete inventory management, inventory disposition strategies, and material replenishment collaboration processes. This position serves as a development pipeline for future MRC Coordinator and RSSM Coordinator roles, with opportunities to progress into these positions within 1-3 years.

Requirements

Must have graduated from an accredited university with a 4 year degree or higher within the last TWO years or with a Future graduation date by May 2027.
Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
Manufacturing Requirements Planning (MRP): Knowledge of the processes, practices and systems used in manufacturing requirements planning (MRP); ability to optimize planning for manufacturing cycles and ensure capacity and materials availability.
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.
Process Improvement: Understanding and insight into evaluating current product quality and production methods and ability to maintains focus on the continuous improvement of processes, products and services.

Nice To Haves

Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
A background in Supply Chain, Manufacturing / Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Inventory Management, Material Requirements Planning, Demand Management and/or Logistics is highly desired.
Bachelor's degree related to Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, or related degree with a graduation date of May 2027 or graduated in last two years.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment of supply chain activities with business objectives and customer requirements.
Support the development and execution of supply chain strategies that improve operational performance, service levels, and overall business outcomes.
Lead inventory and warehouse optimization initiatives in support of strategic business objectives, identifying opportunities to improve capacity, inventory health, and facility performance.
Identifying and recommending improvement solutions for the supply-chain process.
Supports lead time rationalization projects focused on alignment of system parameters to supplier lead time and demand requirements.
Lead teams tasked with designing and implementing pull replenishment strategies in support of Lean initiatives.
Analyze inventory trends and collaborate with Logistics Planning Analysts (LPAs) and suppliers to reduce excess material, improve inventory health, and support warehouse space optimization.
Support inventory optimization efforts through the identification and disposition of excess and obsolete material while collaborating with stakeholders to prevent future inventory accumulation.