The Distribution Logistics Analyst is responsible for planning Aftermarket parts for New Product Introductions (NPI). This includes analyzing existing processes, implementing enhancements and quality gates to ensure Aftermarket readiness for successful NPI launches, and maintaining parts availability throughout the NPI lifecycle.
What You Will Do:
- The role involves close collaboration with Parts Product Specialists (PPS), Parts Product Analysts (PPA), and cross-functional teams to drive proactive actions that improve parts availability.
- In addition to strategic planning, the incumbent will perform tactical tasks such as managing work allocation, coordinating with cross-functional teams for issue resolution, and handling escalations related to NPI parts planning.
- The role also includes leading initiatives to build lean supply chain capabilities by applying lean methodologies.
- The Distribution Logistics Analyst will participate in global projects as a Subject Matter Expert (SME), working collaboratively with internal and external business partners to enhance the overall value chain.
- The incumbent will communicate effectively across stakeholders to resolve complex issues impacting parts availability and customer satisfaction. Key internal and external partners include Product Groups, Procurement, Inventory Management, Aftermarket Parts Supply, and Operations ensuring a smooth transition and alignment across functions.
Additional Information:
- Bachelor s degree in engineering with 8 10 years of relevant industry experience in Service Parts, Supply Chain, Inventory Management, and Procurement.
- Proven ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with global process partners; excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills are essential.
- Strong technical proficiency in SAS and Microsoft Office tools, including Power BI and PowerApps.
- Demonstrated customer focus and ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment; capable of leading cross-functional projects.
- Solid understanding of statistical and problem-solving tools; hands-on experience with Six Sigma methodologies and Lean principles.
- Experience in managing complex supply chain challenges with a deep understanding of Caterpillar Parts business and systems.
- Willingness to work in US/UK shift timings to ensure adequate overlap with global stakeholders.
DESIRED SKILLS:
- Certified in APICS CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management) or CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional).
- Six Sigma Green Belt certified, with practical experience in applying continuous improvement methodologies.
- Strong working knowledge of Caterpillar Engineering processes and Aftermarket Parts distribution practices.
What You Have:
Business Process Improvement: Knowledge of business process improvement best practices and ability to use methods for identifying, evaluating, introducing and implementing more efficient approaches to performing business related activities.
Level Working Knowledge: Gathers data for use in the analysis of business processes. Illustrates problems, opportunities and methods for improving existing business processes. Suggests ways to reduce variation and/or waste in processes. Helps evaluate what factors should be addressed in the change program. Participates in requirements analysis for process changes. Effective Communications : 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: Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors without offending the recipient. Listens to feedback without defensiveness and uses it for own communication effectiveness. Makes oral presentations and writes reports needed for own work. Avoids technical jargon when inappropriate. Looks for and considers non-verbal cues from individuals and groups. Influencing : Knowledge of effective influencing tactics and strategies; ability to impact decisions within and outside own organization.
Level Working Knowledge: Develops basic persuasive arguments. Discusses organizational culture around providing input on decisions. Uses active listening skills and probing techniques to surface opportunities to influence. Identifies who the decision makers are and how they receive information. Regularly presents ideas or suggestions to associates in persuasive terms. Partnering for Clients Success : Knowledge of and insight into clients key objectives and ability to work and think alongside clients to achieve clients current and future aspirations and successes.
Level Basic Understanding: Explains the importance of ones own high quality work for clients success; discusses quality standards that are established to obtain deliverables. Describes channels and techniques that used to understand clients expressed and unstated needs. Identifies a certain clients market shares, customer bases and business objectives. Cites examples of how to effectively build deep relationships with clients. 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. Technical Excellence : Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.
Level Working Knowledge: Provides effective technical solutions to routine functional challenges via sound technical competence, effectively examining implications of events and issues. Effectively performs the technical job aspects, continuously building knowledge and keeping up-to-date on technical and procedural job components. Applies technical operating and project standards based on achieving excellence in delivered products, technologies and services. Applies current procedures and technologies to help resolve technical issues in ones general area of technical competence. Helps others solve technical or procedural problems or issues. 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.
Level Working Knowledge: Raises awareness of potential bottlenecks and disruptions to the schedule. Breaks tasks into manageable steps that can be incorporated into a personal work plan. Escalates concerns over competing or conflicting priorities. Monitors progress continuously and adjusts tactics for handling situations on a case by case basis. Creates action plans that ensure the accomplishment of responsibilities. 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.
Level Working Knowledge: Discusses considerations for integrating partner and supplier transactions. Recognizes software systems or components used to manage supply chain. Summarizes supply chain considerations for different types of products or components. Participates in supply chain analysis and uses it to spot trends and improvement opportunities. Works with a specific part of supply chain management process.
