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This position has closed. Caterpillar removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 5, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Value Chain Designer

Caterpillar · Decatur, IL · $147,760–$221,640 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 24, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 4, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you used forecast, delivery or cost data to make a practical improvement.

What they are checking: Proof they turn data into real changes, not just reports, as the role describes.

Tell me about a time a decision that looked good for one part of the supply chain hurt another part.

What they are checking: Whether they truly see cross-functional effects, the core skill the posting is looking for.

How do you influence purchasing, operations and engineering when you don't manage any of them?

What they are checking: Influence skills, since value chain design depends on many functions agreeing to change.

This role has up to 15 percent domestic and international travel. How have you used supplier visits to improve outcomes?

What they are checking: Whether they use travel purposefully to understand supplier capability rather than only for relationship building.

What would you do

A key supplier keeps missing delivery dates. How do you decide whether to work with them, dual source or redesign?

What they are checking: Judgment about supplier risk and the full cost of each option on resilience and performance.

How would you build resilience into a supply stream without simply adding cost?

What they are checking: Creative thinking about resilience, like flexible capacity or design choices, beyond buffer stock.

About the work

How do you see the difference between planning a supply stream and designing a whole value chain?

What they are checking: Whether they think beyond single planning tasks to total value-chain performance, which the posting asks for.

Walk me through how you'd connect supplier capability, inventory and customer demand for a key product group.

What they are checking: Their ability to link the three levers the posting names and see how a change in one affects the others.

How do you support New Product Introduction from a supply chain point of view, before the product is in production?

What they are checking: Experience shaping NPI decisions like sourcing and lead times early, when changes are cheap.

How do you decide how much inventory to hold when demand is volatile and holding cost is high?

What they are checking: Understanding of the tradeoff between service level and inventory investment.

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The full job description

As published by Caterpillar.

Career Area: Engineering 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. As the Value Chain Designer , you will help shape an integrated, resilient, and high-performing value chain for a key product group. You will manage complex supply streams, connect supplier capabilities with inventory and customer requirements, support product development value stream strategy through New Product Introduction (NPI), and turn forecast, delivery, cost, and performance data into practical improvements. This role is ideal for a supply chain leader who can see beyond individual planning activities and understand how decisions across suppliers, operations, inventory, and customer demand affect total value-chain performance. Additional Information: • Location: Decatur, Illinois • Travel: Up to 15% (domestic and international) • Relocation Assistance: Available • Visa Sponsorship: Not Available • Work Arrangement: On-site • Applications accepted: through Sunday, Oct 4, 2026 What You'll Do: • Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing management of complex supply streams serving a defined product group, including streams with global reach. • Build an end-to-end view of the value chain by connecting supplier capacity, value stream mapping, material availability, inventory strategy, operational priorities, and customer requirements (demonstrated availability). • NPI value chain strategy and value chain cost strategy to meet customer expectations for product availability. • Manage supplier relationships and supporting processes to help ensure adequate product supply, reliable delivery, and alignment with inventory objectives. • Support supplier evaluation and selection by assessing value-chain capability, delivery performance, risk, quality, and operational fit. • Analyze supply-chain trends, sales information, forecasts, on-time delivery, inventory performance, and operational constraints to identify improvement opportunities. • Establish effective partnerships across operations, procurement, logistics, planning, business partners, and other internal functions to improve coordination and reduce functional silos. • Lead significant supply-chain and value-chain improvement projects, including project planning, resource coordination, risk identification, contingency development, performance monitoring, assurance of supply improvement, NPI Value Chain Product Improvement, Value Chain Cost and Total Cost of ownership, and stakeholder communication. What skills you will have: Process Management: Champions continuous process improvement through governance, optimization, performance monitoring, and the adoption of best practices, tools, and methodologies. Analytical Thinking: Applies structured analytical techniques to identify root causes, evaluate risks and opportunities, and develop data-driven solutions to complex business challenges. Effective Communications: Effectively communicates complex information across all organizational levels, adapting messaging to the audience while influencing stakeholders and fostering collaboration. Problem Solving: Leads the resolution of complex, high-impact business issues by organizing stakeholders, evaluating alternatives, assessing risks, and implementing sustainable solutions. Process Mapping/Flowcharting: Utilizes advanced process mapping methodologies to document, analyze, and improve business processes while establishing organizational standards and best practices. Root Cause Analysis (RCA): Leads structured root cause analysis efforts to identify underlying issues, implement corrective actions, prevent recurrence, and promote a culture of continuous improvement. Top Candidates will also have: • Education or equivalent experience: A degree or equivalent relevant experience is desired. • Experience leading value-chain planning, integrated business planning, supply planning, material planning, or sales and operations planning in a manufacturing environment. • NPI team lead experience or equivalent experience. • Product engineering experience or equivalent experience. • Experience with enterprise resource planning, material requirements planning, advanced planning, supply-chain analytics, or business intelligence tools. • Experience with value-stream mapping, scenario planning, constraint management, root-cause analysis, or continuous improvement. • Knowledge of supplier risk, network resilience, capacity planning, and end-to-end value-chain tradeoffs. • Relevant certification such as Certified Supply Chain Professional, Certified in Planning and Inventory Management, or a comparable supply-chain credential is desired. #LI Summary Pay Range: $147,760.00 - $221,640.00 Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar. Benefits: Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits. • Medical, dental, and vision benefits* • Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)* • 401(k) savings plans* • Health Savings Account (HSA)* • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)* • Health Lifestyle Programs* • Employee Assistance Program* • Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts* • Career Development* • Incentive bonus* • Disability benefits • Life Insurance • Parental leave • Adoption benefits • Tuition Reimbursement * These benefits also apply to part-time employees This position requires working onsite five days a week. Relocation is available for this position. Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. Posting Dates: Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen. Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply. Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community .