Distribution Research Consultant

Career Area:
Supply Chain and Logistics

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.

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you’re joining a global team who care not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers and future work 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.

Our Product Support and Logistics Division (PSLD) is one of the most innovative divisions within Caterpillar. In PSLD, as within all of Caterpillar, our priority is our customers and helping them build a better world. We touch nearly every element of the services value stream. PSLD is responsible for Aftermarket Parts Distribution of Cat Parts, Integrated Logistics and Global Services supporting Caterpillar dealers and customers. Our teams work together in critical areas that leverage digital capabilities, technology and operational excellence.

The Distribution Research Consultant serves as a business and subject matter expert supporting Caterpillar's Inventory Management systems and processes. This role is responsible for leading cross-functional projects, integration activities, and advanced ad hoc analysis across Demand Forecasting & Inventory Planning (DFIP), Distribution Requirements Planning (DRP), Deployment, and Service Analysis.

The position partners closely with business stakeholders, system architects, and IT teams to identify opportunities, evaluate complex business problems, develop integrated solutions, and support strategic Inventory Management initiatives. A strong analytical and systems background is required, with the ability to connect processes and data across multiple planning systems and translate analysis into actionable business recommendations.

Additional Information:

- Location: Morton, IL (United States)
- Required Travel: Less than 10% (Domestic & International)
- Relocation Assistance Offered: None
- US Work Sponsorship Offered: None

What You Will Do:

- Lead and support cross-functional projects across DFIP, DRP, Deployment, and Service Analysis.
- Serve as an integration architect across Inventory Management systems and processes.
- Perform advanced ad hoc analysis and develop data-driven recommendations to support business decisions.
- Analyze inventory, service, forecasting, replenishment, deployment, backorder, and operational performance.
- Identify process and system integration opportunities across Inventory Management platforms.
- Develop analytical solutions and tools to improve decision-making, process efficiency, and visibility.
- Lead testing, validation, and business readiness activities for system enhancements and process changes.
- Investigate complex process and system exceptions and develop integrated business solutions.
- Partner with DFIP, DRP, Deployment, Service, IT, Distribution, and other business teams to implement improvements.
- Support strategic system and process transformation initiatives.
- Maintain process documentation, controls, and governance for supported business processes.
- Translate complex analytical findings into clear recommendations for technical and non-technical audiences.

What Skills You Will Have (Basic Requirements):

- Business Markets: Knowledge of existing and planned markets and market-related initiatives from the perspectives of the competition, the suppliers, the customer base and the regulatory environment; ability to apply market knowledge appropriately to diverse situations.

- Cross-Team Integration: Understanding of the importance of inter-team collaboration in breaking down silos and achieving business results; ability to lead employees from various functions to communicate, coordinate work across divisions, and collaborate in solving problems as one team.

- Influencing: Knowledge of effective influencing tactics and strategies; ability to impact decisions within and outside own organization.

- Logistics Management: Knowledge of logistics and management; ability to follow proper processes and run operations for effective and efficient movement of materials and finished products.

- Planning and Organizing: Knowledge of the process of planning and arranging tasks and resources; ability to plan and organize both time and resources to get things completed while structuring and maintaining work in a systematic and highly methodical way.

- 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.

- Supply Chain Management - MFG: Knowledge of functions, principles and techniques used in supply chain management; ability to develop and use, strategies, practices and tools for controlling the logistical processes.

What Will Set You Apart (Top Candidates Will Have):

- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business Analytics, Information Systems, or related field, or equivalent experience.

- 5+ years of experience within supply chain field.

- Experience with inventory management, demand forecasting, replenishment, deployment, or service-parts operations.

- Experience supporting DFIP, DRP, Deployment, SAP SPP, or similar supply chain systems.

- Experience with SAS, SQL, Python, Power BI, Snowflake, or other analytical tools.

- Experience leading system integration, testing, enhancements, and business process improvement initiatives.

- Knowledge of aftermarket parts distribution and Caterpillar supply chain processes.

- Demonstrated ability to influence decisions through data-driven analysis and business recommendations.

- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

- Experience working with large datasets and complex business processes.

- Strong understanding of integrated supply chain systems and processes.

- Experience leading cross-functional projects and analytical studies.

- Ability to work effectively across business and technical teams.

What You Will Get:

You’ll have the opportunity to work with dealers and multiple teams across Caterpillar (Cat Trade COE, Cat Insurance Services, Cat Legal, Division Compliance, and Distribution Services Divisions) to mitigate risk and ensure all aspects of warranty claiming comply with applicable regulations.

Through it all, we are one team – creating and delivering world-class components and solutions superior to the competition. Learn more about the Caterpillar Experience.

About Caterpillar: