Transportation Analyst

Caterpillar•Lafayette, IN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Transportation Analyst manages and analyzes transportation activities to support the efficient movement of freight for Caterpillar’s Product Support and Logistics Division facilities. The role leads freight forecasting and transportation budget analysis, monitors monthly financial performance and variances, and conducts cost, transit-time, capacity, service-performance, and shipment-velocity studies to identify opportunities and inform business decisions. It manages dedicated fleet providers and assigned transportation lanes, monitors key performance indicators, and plans for capacity to meet business needs. The position serves as a liaison among transportation, operations, financial services, logistics providers, and other stakeholders. It combines strategic financial analysis with tactical transportation support, including resolving shipment execution challenges, customs-related needs, and time-sensitive freight requirements. The role supports both the Lafayette and Lebanon, Indiana facilities and requires regular onsite work at each location, approximately 2–3 days per week at the alternate facility based on business needs. This is a first-shift, Monday–Friday position, performed onsite five days a week with no hybrid or remote schedule. It may require up to 10% domestic travel outside the Lafayette area. Relocation and visa sponsorship are not offered.

Requirements

Knowledge of analytical techniques and tools, including determining root causes and developing alternative solutions.
Knowledge of data gathering and analysis tools, techniques, and processes, and ability to synthesize data from varied sources and stakeholders.
Knowledge of decision-making processes and critical-thinking tools and techniques; ability to analyze situations and make informed decisions.
Knowledge of planning and organizing tasks and resources systematically.
Knowledge of problem-solving approaches, tools, and techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational, or process problems.
Knowledge of supply chain management functions, principles, and techniques, including controlling logistical processes.
Knowledge of transportation and the movement of materials and goods among suppliers, distribution centers, manufacturing facilities, and customers.
Ability to work onsite five days per week at facilities in Lafayette and Lebanon, Indiana.
Ability to travel domestically up to 10% outside the Lafayette area.

Nice To Haves

Experience in transportation, accounting, finance, or supply chain.
Strong analytical skills, including the ability to work with large datasets and identify trends.
Experience with budgeting, forecasting, cost analysis, or financial reporting.
Transportation experience and an interest in developing financial and accounting knowledge, or financial experience and an interest in learning transportation.
Ability to balance strategic analysis with tactical problem-solving.

Responsibilities

Develop and manage freight forecasts and transportation plans for facility transportation requirements and business needs.
Monitor transportation spending against budget, conduct monthly financial variance analysis, and communicate results and key drivers to Financial Services and business leadership.
Analyze transportation costs, transit times, capacity, service performance, and shipment velocity through studies and data analysis.
Manage relationships and performance with dedicated fleet providers.
Own assigned transportation lanes and plan capacity, identifying constraints and coordinating solutions to maintain reliable freight movement.
Establish, monitor, and analyze transportation KPIs for cost, service, capacity, and operational performance.
Coordinate across transportation, operations, financial teams, logistics providers, and other business partners to develop solutions.
Provide tactical support for time-sensitive and ad hoc freight needs, including resolving shipment execution challenges.
Balance long-term transportation strategy with day-to-day requirements to support efficient, reliable, cost-effective freight execution.
Identify transportation trends, risks, and improvement opportunities and recommend actions supporting business and financial objectives.
Partner across the Lafayette and Lebanon, Indiana facilities, maintaining regular onsite presence at both locations based on business needs.