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.
About the role
We currently have some exciting opportunities for industrial placement students to join Caterpillar across several of our sites. You will have the opportunity to work with others across our organisation and you will be directly involved, and at the heart of our business, participating on strategic projects.
*Please note that in order to be eligible to complete a 12 Month Industrial Placement commencing July 2025, you must be in your penultimate year of study unless enrolled in an integrated master’s program.
What do we do?
Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives. Since 1925, we’ve been driving sustainable progress and helping customers build a better world through innovative products and services. Throughout the product life cycle, we offer services built on cutting-edge technology and decades of product expertise. These products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value to help our customers succeed.
Caterpillar Peterlee is the worldwide source of Cat® Articulated Trucks, currently producing an 8-model range used in many industries including mining, construction and aggregates. The facility’s manufacturing activities use the latest computer analysis techniques, robotic technology and a state-of-the-art paint plant. Machines from the site are shipped to customers around the world.
Diversity at Caterpillar
When we leverage our people's experiences, backgrounds, and cultures in an inclusive environment, we enable every individual to achieve their full potential, which drives business success. We are proud to be active partners with both the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) & Women's Engineering Society (WES). We also have numerous well supported employee resource groups. Caterpillar is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds.
What experiences can we offer you?
As an equal opportunity employer, we value diversity at Caterpillar and believe the more experience you can gain early in your career the further you can go. That’s why during our yearlong scheme we place an emphasis on multiple diverse projects. You will have the opportunity to work and collaborate with people in Caterpillar facilities worldwide and we are looking for you to bring fresh, innovative ideas to solve complex technical problems. You will be a fully involved team member with responsibility and accountability for key project deliverables. That said, you will be given all the support you require to be successful.
Our placement roles have the additional benefit of a workplace mentor; this could be your manager or a technical expert who will support you throughout your time at Caterpillar and help you gain the professional development and skills you need to be set up for success! Our placement students can expect to return to university with further developed technical skills and experience of how University learning is applied to the workplace.
We also operate a conditional offer process; our highest performing placement students are fast tracked to our graduate development scheme. This includes a financial incentive and the potential of a summer work placement. Offers will be made based on the condition that a graduate role is available at the time of your graduation and that you achieve a min of 2:2.
Job Duties/Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
In this Supply Chain placement scheme, you will be based within either the Inventory Control department or the Material Planning department...
Inventory Control
- Driving continuous improvement activities within the inventory control department
- Developing Supply Chain metrics dashboards
- Communicating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure process discipline
- Generating presentations to support continuous improvement initiatives across the Supply Chain
- Investigating and Implementing root cause corrective actions (RCCA)
- Supporting compliance processes and performing Supply Chain audits
- Leading purchasing improvement processes across the site
- Learning and contributing to other Supply Chain disciplines
Material Planning
- Uses Material Requirements Planning and supplier collaboration technologies to collaborate with suppliers and operations to plan delivery of material for production and regulate inventory levels.
- Ensures the timely delivery of materials to the facility, collaborating with suppliers to coordinate delivery and shipping schedules to meet facility production plans.
- Actively collaborates with suppliers to resolve supplier delivery issues and improve point of use availability, identifying and applying root cause corrections actions where necessary.
- Supports supply chain performance efforts by monitoring and tracking supplier performance metrics.
- Delivers improvements in point of use material availability.
- Provides clear accurate communication, both verbal and written as appropriate, with all partners both internally and externally.
- Manages material transportation systems into the facility.
- Provides data analysis regarding transport utilisation to drive process efficiency increases.
Who are we looking for?
As the type of roles within our business are becoming more diverse, we are looking for people who are open minded, excellent problem solvers and who have an ability to learn quickly. You will be motivated, hard-working, and will embrace change. In return for your dedication and hard work, you will be provided with excellent career opportunities and strong support for your personal and career development to pursue a career within Caterpillar.
Applicants will be on target to achieve a minimum of 2:2 honours degree level in a relevant discipline: Supply Chain, Transportation, Logistics, Business Management (with Supply Chain modules).
Requirements of the role
- An understanding of Lean Manufacturing
- Self-motivated and able to operate within a team environment
- Strong communication skills
- Good numerical skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Good attention to detail
- Computer literate (particularly Excel)
We are looking for talented, ambitious people from various backgrounds who are interested in setting out on the road to success and in return, we will provide you the training and support you need to be successful at Caterpillar.
Recruitment process guidelines
Here is a brief overview of what you can expect when applying to our Early Career roles…
- Online Application: The first stage of the process is to complete the online application and attach your CV, this must be done before the closing date of the role that you're applying for. Once we reach the close date, we will begin reviewing all our applications, this may take a little while and we will contact you as soon as possible to let you know if you have been successful in moving forward to the next stage.
- Stage one – Video Interview: If selected, you will be invited to complete a user-friendly video interview which will then be reviewed by the Hiring Team. At this stage, if you are successful, you will be invited to attend an interview which may be held virtually or in person. We would also recommend that you check your spam emails and your Workday account for updates.
- Stage two - Interview: The interview session will look at a range of behaviours such as teamwork, decision-making, communication, and problem-solving.
- Stage three – Offer: After the interview stage, the Caterpillar team will review the feedback and extend offers to our preferred candidates, we aim to do this as quickly as possible. Placement students will start on 7th July 2025. We look forward to receiving your application to join Caterpillar!