Desford, United Kingdom
1 day ago
Supply Development Engineer - Heavy fabrication

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.

Caterpillar is looking for a Supplier Development Engineer – Heavy fabrication. If you want to be part of a diverse team where everyone has a voice – do not hesitate to apply!  

Focusing on the UK region, acting as a liaison between the company and our external partners, you will make sure they are performing according to Caterpillar’s standards and values.  

Location: Desford  

What Will You Do:  

Leading Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) for welding structures 

Assess supplier quality and ensure that all products are defect-free and comply with manufacturing specifications and legal standards. Review and approve PPAPs.  

Conducting supplier quality control audits to ensure compliance with organizational and federal policies and standards  

Supporting suppliers in improving their performance through process enhancements, implementing process controls, and developing quality assurance plans.  

Lead the resolution of quality issues at the supplier level  

Ensuring the quality of supplies by conducting tests and assessments on incoming supplies to identify any quality issues. Developing supplier inspection, testing, and evaluation mechanisms.   

Supporting CPPD work during the design development phase between Engineering and the supplier 

What You Will Have:  

Completed Engineering studies or equivalent experience  

Experiencing in leading Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)  

Extensive knowledge of GD&T (Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing) 

Experience to review / approve or create PFMEAs on complex fabrications  

Experience to review / approve or create Control Plans on complex fabrications  

Experience to review / approve or create process capability studies on complex fabrications 

Knowledge in welding processes and specifications  

Knowledge on manufacturing processes (machining, laser cutting and bending)  

Great and effective communication skills including expertise in negotiation techniques, communicating internally to stakeholders and externally at different levels within the organization 

Ability to plan, guide, and monitor manufacturing processes for improvement and compliance  

Knowledge of Supplier Management and Evaluation processes; ability to apply related knowledge, experience, and skills into real practice  

Willingness and ability to travel up to 50 % of the overall work in general and to spend approximately 6 months improving a specific supplier upon your employment  

This position requires the candidate to work a 5-day-a-week schedule in the office when not visiting suppliers  

  

Best Candidates Will Also Have:  

Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering degree  

Experience in procurement 

Six sigma blackbelt, knowledge on DMAIC methodology  

Proven track record of working with suppliers on developing complex heavy fabrications 

Experience to review / approve or create Measurement System Analysis Studies   

Advanced knowledge in welding processes and specifications  

  

What We Offer:   

Annual salary of gross 55 000 to 70 000 GBP based on the level of experience  

27 days annual leave plus Bank holidays  

Up to 12 % annual 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,   

Optional flexible benefits including access to private health and dental care plans, EV car lease etc.  

Private medical care  

The Power of Everyone   

At Caterpillar, we believe each person is unique and valued and are committed to ensuring that our workplace is diverse and representative of the many customers we serve around the globe. Different perspectives help us achieve our best work and come together to form a high-performing Caterpillar team that makes positive changes in the communities where we live and work. 

Posting Dates:

June 24, 2025 - July 15, 2025

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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