Transportation Analyst

Caterpillar Inc.•Lafayette, IN

2d•$97,530 - $146,290•Onsite

About The Position

The Transportation Analyst manages and analyzes transportation activities supporting 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 studies of transportation cost, transit time, capacity, service performance, and shipment velocity to identify opportunities and inform business decisions. It manages dedicated fleet providers and assigned transportation lanes, monitors key performance indicators, and ensures adequate transportation capacity for business needs. The analyst serves as a liaison among transportation, operations, financial services, logistics providers, and other stakeholders, balancing strategic financial analysis with tactical support for shipment execution, customs-related needs, and time-sensitive freight requirements. The position may be based in Lafayette or Lebanon, Indiana, and requires regular onsite support at both facilities, typically about 2–3 days per week at the alternate facility based on business needs. It is 100% onsite, Monday through Friday on first shift, with up to 10% domestic travel outside the Lafayette area. Relocation and visa sponsorship are not available.

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, with the ability to collect and synthesize information from varied sources and stakeholders objectively.
Knowledge of decision-making processes and tools, with the ability to analyze situations and make informed, productive decisions.
Knowledge of planning and organizing tasks and resources systematically and methodically.
Knowledge of problem-solving approaches and tools for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational, or process problems.
Knowledge of supply chain management functions, principles, and techniques, including logistical process control.
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, with regular presence at both locations.
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 interest in developing financial and accounting knowledge, or financial experience and interest in learning transportation.
Ability to balance strategic analysis with tactical problem solving.

Responsibilities

Develop and manage freight forecasts and transportation plans for facility requirements and business needs.
Monitor transportation spending against budget, perform monthly financial variance analysis, and communicate results and key drivers to Financial Services and business leadership.
Conduct transportation cost studies and analyze freight costs, transit times, capacity, service performance, and shipment velocity.
Manage relationships and performance with dedicated fleet providers.
Own assigned transportation lanes and capacity planning, identify potential constraints, and coordinate solutions to maintain reliable freight movement.
Establish, monitor, and analyze transportation KPIs related to cost, service, capacity, and operational performance.
Coordinate with 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, and cost-effective freight execution.
Use data analysis to 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 as business needs require.