Value Chain Synchronization Manager

Caterpillar Caterpillar · Industrial · East Peoria, IL

Manage and optimize the global supply chain for Caterpillar's Tracked Products division, focusing on synchronizing dealer inventory, demand planning, and production to improve value chain performance. This role involves advanced analytics, supply chain engineering, and cross-functional leadership to enhance agility, reduce costs, and improve customer availability.

What you'd actually do

  1. Collaborate with Resource Industries sales and economics teams each month to forecast customer demand for Tracked Products.
  2. Implement Root Cause and Corrective Action plan methodology for variance of actual results versus the forecast for Sales to Users (STU), dealer orders received, and dealer inventory.
  3. Utilize internal tools to monitor the conformance of Tracked Products global dealer inventory compared to target levels, identify gaps and developing action plans to close them.
  4. Work directly with dealers to establish and adjust their machine stocking strategies.
  5. Establish and manage strategic partnerships with dealers and internal stakeholders to promote alignment and conformance.

Skills

Required

  • Supply Chain Management - Manufacturing
  • Decision Making and Critical Thinking
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Lead cross-functional teams to implement supply chain improvements.
  • Identify and mitigate supply chain risks to maintain continuity.
  • Collaborate with product group value chain, dealers, and manufacturing teams to align supply chain design and conformance expectations.
  • Utilize various systems to assess dealer inventory, dealer sales, and dealer orders.
  • Manage the supply chain after factory shipment until customer delivery.
  • Utilize conformance targets at various points in the supply chain to determine actions.
  • Analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
  • Identify, obtain, and organize relevant data and ideas.
  • Recognize, clarify, and prioritize concerns.
  • Assist in assessing risks, benefits and consideration of alternatives.
  • Contribute to Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) meetings to align demand forecasts with supply capabilities.
  • Seek discrepancies and inconsistencies in available information; explain variances.
  • Organize and prioritize the sequence of steps to be taken to remedy the situation.
  • Identifies many possible causes for a problem based on prior experience and current research.
  • Quantify the costs, benefits, risks, and chances for success before recommending a course of action.

Nice to have

  • Extensive experience of progressively responsible supply chain, engineering, or operations
  • Bachelor’s degree (Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field preferred)
  • Experience working with dealer networks and S&OP processes
  • Knowledge of Tracked Products or heavy equipment manufacturing environments

What the JD emphasized

  • Root Cause and Corrective Action plan methodology
  • dealer inventory
  • demand forecasting accuracy
  • operational alignment