Inventory Planner - Remote

Career Area: Manufacturing 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. Schedules, plans and oversees material procurement, production and delivery processes. Responsibilities: Participates in scheduling production and delivery processes in accordance with current productivity and cost efficiency standards. Develops and executes material planning for a product line to ensure that all material requirements for assigned programs are met within the allocated time frame and specified service levels are met. Organizes the flow of materials within the manufacturing unit and the transferring of materials to and from the inventory or warehouse. Minimum Qualifications: Demonstrate a high level of knowledge in manufacturing Proficiency in basic computer knowledge (MS Office) Strong organizational skills Able to work with internal customers Preferred: CMMS software experience COUPA software experience Proficiency in Material Resource Planning (MRP) methodologies Purchasing or scheduling experience Skill Descriptors Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems. Level Basic Understanding: • Names specific tools or techniques that can be used to support the analytical thinking process. • Describes specific software applications or products used for business analytics. • Gives examples of how analytical thinking has been used to resolve problems. • Helps others research and learn more about business analytics tools and applications. Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment. Level Basic Understanding: • Explains characteristics and steps in an effective decision-making process. • Identifies issues and communicates with others when a decision needs to be made. • Names decision makers in own environment and cites examples of past decisions. • Describes types of decisions incumbent may and may not make in own job or function. 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. 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 Basic Understanding: • Explains the value of a disciplined approach to problem solving. • Describes problem reporting and escalation practices. • Utilizes accepted procedures for problem analysis and resolution. • Identifies key aspects of problem-solving techniques used in own area. Cross-Team Integration: Understanding of the importance of inter-team collaboration in breaking down silos and achieving business results; ability to lead employees from various functions to communicate, coordinate work across divisions, and collaborate in solving problems as one team. Level Basic Understanding: • Identifies the key teams or work groups whose work is closely related. • Applies the concept of collaboration to build relationships and coordinate with other teams. • Demonstrates the ability to coordinate work so that it can help more than one team. • Seeks help to secure support from another team when necessary. Distribution Requirements Planning (DRP): Knowledge of the process, issues and considerations for systematically managing distribution of inventory for multiple plants or warehouses; ability to apply related knowledge and experience in real practice. Level Working Knowledge: • Works with real-time inventory software, moving supplies to where needed, when needed. • Interprets the impact of bottlenecks and delays on operating costs. • Follows processes and applies technologies for items and inventory management. • Assists in solving issues related to distribution to meet orders or inventory replenishment requirements. • Works with basic distribution requirements planning (DRP) processes and operations. Manufacturing Requirements Planning (MRP): Knowledge of the processes, practices and systems used in manufacturing requirements planning (MRP); ability to optimize planning for manufacturing cycles and ensure capacity and materials availability. Level Working Knowledge: • Participates in developing materials requirements and costs for custom requests. • Uses job schedule, plant and machine schedule and inventory systems to initiate and oversee jobs. • Uses available tools to analyze order and develop quotes and realistic delivery dates. • Plans and schedules production runs for specific products and assures availability of materials. • Follows key criteria to collect information needed to make good production decisions for operation. This Job Description is intended as a general guide to the job duties for this position and is intended for the purpose of establishing the specific salary grade. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive summary of all responsibilities, duties and effort required of employees assigned to this job. At the discretion of management, this description may be changed at any time to address the evolving needs of the organization. It is expressly not intended to be a comprehensive list of “essential job functions” as that term is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Summary Pay Range: $77,264.00 - $115,896.00 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. Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. Posting Dates: May 20, 2026 - June 3, 2026 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. Powering the future through innovative, sustainable energy solutions. Solar Turbines Incorporated, headquartered in San Diego, California, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. Solar manufactures the world’s most widely used family of mid-sized industrial gas turbines, ranging from 1 to 39 megawatts. More than 16,000 Solar units are operating in more than 100 countries with more than 3 billion operating hours. Solar is a leading provider of energy solutions, featuring an extensive line of gas turbine-powered compressor sets, mechanical drive packages, and generator sets. Solar’s customers put the company’s products to work in many areas, including production, processing and pipeline transmission of natural gas and crude oil, and generation of electricity and thermal energy for processing applications, such as manufacturing chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and food products. Solar’s foundation is people and Solar’s culture is one where individual contributions are valued, diversity in the workplace is encouraged, and safety is emphasized in all aspects of the business. Solar Turbines is comprised of a dedicated and multi-talented workforce of more than 9,000 employees with decades of experience working as a global team.