Supplier Development Engineer

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.

Job Title:
Supplier Development Engineer

Salary starting from £57,737 (depending on level of experience)

Location
:
Peterborough, Stafford or Peterlee

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave,
• Up to 12% 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 health and dental care plans, EV car lease, holiday purchase.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Supplier Development Engineer to join our team, to provide on-site assistance & leadership to Caterpillar’s supply base in the execution of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), the implementation of process control and the deployment of a continuous quality improvement processes. You will ensure that suppliers can meet corporate and business unit requirements for certification and quality of purchased material.

What You Will Do

Working with suppliers to ensure that robust process controls are in place to prevent nonconformities, to continuously monitor supplier’s key manufacturing processes and quality management system for improvement opportunities and to assist suppliers with Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities to ensure production readiness for New Product Introduction (NPI).

The SDE is responsible for the supplier’s processes from design concept to the end of product life (cradle to grave), including the following activities:

• Assess and develop supplier quality management systems, process capability, and manufacturing readiness, including people, training, tooling, and equipment.
• Lead supplier quality activities for new product introduction, ensuring APQP and PPAP requirements are completed and approved.
• Review and approve quality documentation, including PFMEAs, Control Plans, MSA/Gage R&R, and corrective action plans.
• Conduct supplier audits, capability assessments, and evaluations to verify compliance, process control, and quality standards.
• Manage supplier process changes and ensure timely implementation of Process Change Notifications (PCNs).
• Support suppliers in resolving quality issues through robust root cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Drive supplier performance improvements through quality metrics, performance reviews, and targeted development plans.
• Partner with suppliers to implement Lean principles and build sustainable quality excellence across the supply base.
• Provide technical support during product launches and manufacturing start-up activities.

What You Will Have

Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.
Level Working Knowledge:

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 Extensive

Experience:

• Experience of applying 8D process or other structured problem-solving techniques in a manufacturing environment

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.
Level Extensive

Experience:

Knowledge of quality management methods, tools, and techniques; ability to create and support an environment that meets the quality goals of the…