Career Area:
Procurement
Job Description:
**Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc. **
When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.
**Job Title: **Supplier Development Engineer
Salary: £47,000 to £60,000 based on skills demonstrated
Contract: Full time & permanent
Location: Desford, Leicestershire
The Opportunity:
We’re looking for a proactive and quality-focused Supplier Development Engineer to join our team. You will own supplier quality and performance across the full product lifecycle, from New Product Introduction (NPI) through to warranty. Working closely with suppliers and internal stakeholders, you will drive compliance to standards, resolve issues, and deliver continuous improvements that support quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
What you will do:
As a **Supplier Development Engineer, **you are accountable for, but not limited to:
Own the introduction of purchased hydraulic components, ensuring quality, capacity, and readiness for production
Investigate and resolve supplier and production issues using structured problem-solving methods
Lead supplier quality planning and approval activities (APQP, PPAP) to ensure robust processes
Conduct supplier audits and assessments to develop capability and ensure compliance
Monitor supplier performance and drive improvement actions to close gaps against targets
Support supplier selection and sourcing decisions, ensuring alignment to business requirements
Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver quality, cost, and delivery outcomes across the supply base
**NB. The panel cannot make assumptions when shortlisting therefore please demonstrate your qualifications and experience on your CV relevant to the criteria outlined. **
What You Can Demonstrate:
Level: Working Knowledge:
**Problem Solving: **Apply structured techniques to identify, analyse, and resolve supplier quality issues. You use fact-based approaches to assess options, understand stakeholder impact, and implement effective solutions.
**Process Improvement: **Identify process gaps and implement improvements that enhance performance, consistency, and efficiency. You focus on critical workflows, apply controls, and contribute to sustained continuous improvement.
Quality Orientation: Apply quality tools and standards (e.g. APQP, PPAP) to ensure supplier processes are controlled, compliant, and capable. You support validation and approval of components and processes, monitor quality outcomes, and address root causes to deliver consistent performance.
Effective Communications: Communicate clearly across teams and with suppliers, adapting your approach to the audience. You share technical information effectively, support collaboration, and build alignment to achieve business objectives.
What You May Have:
Support the introduction of new equipment and manufacturing technologies, ensuring smooth implementation into production
Use virtual build or simulation tools to test and improve processes before release to the shopfloor
Apply knowledge of production systems and industrial engineering principles to improve workflow and efficiency
Use structured quality tools (e.g. 8D, 5 Why, fishbone) to support issue resolution and continuous improvement
Pending the number of applications, the criteria for the position may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting.
Just a quick heads-up: We start reviewing applications as soon as they come in, so if you’re interested, don’t wait too long! We may close the advert early if we feel we’ve got a strong pool of potentially suitable applicants.
Don’t miss out, get your application in soon!
What You Will Get One Company, Limitless Opportunities
Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. We do business on every continent, principally operating through three primary segments – Construction Industries, Resource Industries, and Energy & Transportation – and providing financing and related services through our Financial Products segment.
Careers at Caterpillar are limitless, we have opportunities in Engineering, Human Resources, Manufacturing, Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain and so much more. You can create the career you want. It’s your time and talent, make it count.
Our Sustainability Commitment
Caterpillar has a long-standing commitment to sustainability, one of our five Values in Action. It is part of who we are and what we do. We actively lead sustainable green initiatives to preserve the environment, help reduce poverty with the Caterpillar Foundation and stay involved in the communities we help build.
Benefits: 27 days annual leave + bank holidays, opportunity to buy additional holiday, 10% Bonus, contributory pension scheme - Caterpillar will double the employee's contribution up to 10%, contributory share scheme - Caterpillar will **match 50% **of the employee's contribution, Employee Support Networks – join groups that offer support, connection, and a sense of community, optional flexible benefits including access to private health and dental care plans, EV car lease etc
Travel: up to 50% global travel
This position requires working onsite five days a week.
Posting Dates:
June 11, 2026 - June 26, 2026
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply
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