Material Availability Analyst

Career Area:

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.

Role Definition
Maximizes external supplier performance through understanding our supply network.

Responsibilities

•    Serving as focal point for suppliers, following up on requirements to minimize past due schedules.

•    Focusing on inventory management to prevent excess material within the network.

•    Reviewing and acting on schedule releases and follow up for on-time shipments.

•    Working with global purchasing buyers and purchasing analyst on problem parts.

Degree Requirement
Degree or equivalent experience desired

Skill Descriptors
Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision.
 Level Extensive Experience: 

•    Evaluates and makes contributions to best practices.

•    Processes large quantities of detailed information with high levels of accuracy.

•    Productively balances speed and accuracy.

•    Implements a variety of cross-checking approaches and mechanisms.

•    Demonstrates expertise in quality assurance tools, techniques, and standards.

•    Employs techniques for motivating employees to meet or exceed accuracy goals.

Collaborating: Knowledge of collaborative techniques; ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner.
 Level Extensive Experience: 

•    Demonstrates experience engendering collaborative processes that lead to problem solving and the achievement of business goals.

•    Establishes shared goals to foster collaboration.

•    Ensures that everyone can access the same data and provide input into how business is conducted.

•    Redesigns physical areas to allow for collaboration and private time.

•    Deemphasizes divides; focuses on collaboration across generations, functions, regions, and levels.

•    Implements methods for people to come together on the fly to make decisions, solve problems, and develop products/services.

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.
 Level Working Knowledge: 

•    Identifies and documents specific problems and resolution alternatives.

•    Examines a specific problem and understands the perspective of each involved stakeholder.

•    Develops alternative techniques for assessing accuracy and relevance of information.

•    Helps to analyze risks and benefits of alternative approaches and obtain decision on resolution.

•    Uses fact-finding techniques and diagnostic tools to identify problems.

Distribution Requirements Planning (DRP): Knowledge of the process, issues and considerations for systematically managing distribution of inventory for multiple plants or warehouses; ability to apply related knowledge and experience in real practice.
 Level Working Knowledge: 

•    Works with real-time inventory software, moving supplies to where needed, when needed.

•    Interprets the impact of bottlenecks and delays on operating costs.

•    Follows processes and applies technologies for items and inventory management.

•    Assists in solving issues related to distribution to meet orders or inventory replenishment requirements.

•    Works with basic distribution requirements planning (DRP) processes and operations.

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.
 Level Basic Understanding: 

•    Explains how improvements in logistics contribute to competitive advantage in the marketplace.

•    Identifies issues and considerations for inbound and outbound logistics.

•    Documents internal and external informative sources or proprietary materials about logistics management.

•    Describes basic logistical processes and sub-processes.

Manufacturing Application Systems: Knowledge of company and industry databases and applications used in a manufacturing environment; ability to operate, maintain and update these systems.
 Level Basic Understanding: 

•    Explains general flow of information throughout the manufacturing process and the supply chain.

•    Identifies major types of applications and information systems used in manufacturing.

•    Identifies core company, proprietary and public information sources.

•    Describes the type of information maintained in manufacturing application systems and identifies its primary uses and users.

Materials Handling and Management: Knowledge of material handling and management in plants; ability to perform, monitor and improve processes related to storage, transportation and handling of raw and hazardous materials.
 Level Basic Understanding: 

•    Identifies key issues involved with different types of manufacturing materials.

•    Discusses considerations for physical management of major types of materials.

•    Identifies types of materials used in manufacturing flagship products or components.

•    Describes packaging regulations and locates those specific to the requirements of the situation.

Posting Dates:

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply

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