Lifecycle Specialist

Career Area: Supply Chain and Logistics

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.

At Caterpillar, we're building a better world, and we are looking for an analytical, results-driven Lifecycle Specialist to join our Electric Rope Shovel team in Tucson, Arizona. In this role, you will help shape and support the aftermarket strategy for some of the largest and most complex mining machines in the world. As part of the lifecycle organization, you will be responsible for parts availability, inventory planning, service readiness, and product support throughout the life of the machine, helping customers maximize uptime and productivity.

This position plays a critical role in managing approximately 10,000 serviceable parts across the Electric Rope Shovel and Draglines portfolio , with a focused responsibility on roughly 150 critical components including gearboxes, electronics, wire ropes, undercarriage systems, and other major machine assemblies. You will develop inventory strategies that determine what parts should be stocked, where they should be located, and in what quantities to support regional customer demand. Working closely with dealers, engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, and product support teams, you'll provide strategic recommendations that improve serviceability, reduce downtime, and enhance the customer experience.

In addition to aftermarket planning, you will support Machine Centerline initiatives that introduce product improvements, major component upgrades, and design changes intended to enhance machine performance and reduce Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). You will help ensure documentation, service intervals, and dealer communications are aligned with evolving product service strategies. This role also contributes to warranty, Built In Quality (BIQ), and Continuous Product Improvement (CPI) initiatives by analyzing warranty claims, supporting field alerts, and helping develop solutions that improve product reliability and customer satisfaction.

Additional Information:

• Location: Tucson, AZ

• Travel requirement: Up to 10% (domestic and international).

• Domestic relocation assistance is not available .

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

• Candidate applications will be taken through Thursday, Sept. 3rd.

What You'll Do

• Lead lifecycle management and aftermarket support strategies for Caterpillar's Electric Rope Shovel and Dragline products, ensuring parts availability and customer uptime.

• Manage inventory planning and monitoring for serviceable parts, with a focus on 150 critical components essential to machine performance.

• Develop regional stocking strategies and recommendations that optimize inventory investment while ensuring critical parts are available when and where customers need them.

• Partner with Caterpillar dealers and cross-functional teams to drive service readiness, lifecycle planning, and aftermarket support initiatives.

• Support Machine Centerline updates by implementing product improvements, major component upgrades, service interval changes, and documentation changes that enhance reliability and reduce TCO.

• Analyze supply chain, inventory, and operational performance data to identify improvement opportunities, develop business cases, and support strategic decision-making.

• Drive quality and reliability improvements through warranty analysis, Built-In Quality (BIQ) initiatives, field alerts, and Continuous Product Improvement (CPI) projects.

• Collaborate across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, product support, and dealer organizations to execute lifecycle strategies that maximize machine availability and customer value.

What Makes This Role Exciting

• Own the aftermarket strategy for industry-leading mining equipment. Play a critical role in supporting Caterpillar's Electric Rope Shovel fleet throughout its lifecycle, helping customers maximize machine availability and performance.

• Drive critical parts and inventory decisions. Develop stocking strategies for thousands of serviceable parts, including approximately 150 mission-critical components that directly impact customer uptime and operational success.

• Influence product improvements and lifecycle planning. Partner with engineering teams on Machine Centerline initiatives, major component upgrades, and service interval strategies that improve reliability and reduce TCO.

• Make a global impact through dealer and customer support. Collaborate with Caterpillar dealers worldwide to ensure the right parts, service recommendations, and lifecycle solutions are available when and where they are needed.

• Solve complex business and quality challenges. Contribute to warranty investigations, field alerts, Built-In Quality (BIQ) initiatives, and Continuous Product Improvement (CPI) projects that enhance product performance and customer satisfaction.

• Work across the enterprise. Gain unique exposure to engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, product support, quality, and dealer operations while leading strategic initiatives that directly influence the future of Caterpillar's mining products.

What skills you will have:

• Effectiveness Measurement: Ability to use performance metrics and benchmarks to evaluate results, identify improvement opportunities, and develop action plans that drive operational effectiveness.

• Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Demonstrates a high level of precision by verifying information, minimizing errors, and consistently producing accurate, reliable work.

• Data Gathering & Analysis: Ability to collect, organize, and analyze data from multiple sources to support informed decisions and identify trends or issues.

• Inventory Management - MFG: Knowledge of inventory control processes used to track, reconcile, receive, and distribute materials while maintaining accurate inventory records.

• Problem Solving: Uses structured analysis, fact-finding, and stakeholder input to identify issues, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.

• Process Improvement: Identifies inefficiencies and implements changes that enhance workflow performance, quality, and operational efficiency through continuous improvement.

• Service Excellence: Delivers responsive, customer-focused support by addressing needs, resolving issues, and consistently exceeding service expectations.

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Applies and improves standard operating procedures to ensure compliance, consistency, efficiency, and continuous operational improvement.

Top Candidates Will Also Have:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

• Experience in inventory planning, supply chain operations, logistics, manufacturing, aftermarket product support, or lifecycle management.

• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex data sets and leverage ERP systems, SAP, reporting tools, or business intelligence platforms to drive decision-making.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with data visualization tools such as Power BI or Tableau.

• Knowledge of inventory optimization, forecasting, MRP/DRP planning processes, and critical parts management within a manufacturing or heavy equipment environment.

• Professional certifications or experience supporting continuous improvement initiatives, including Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, APICS/ASCM, project management, or supply chain analytics.

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Summary Pay Range:

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

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.

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