{"id":3709585,"url":"https://alion.io/job/caterpillar-distribution-research-consultant","title":"Distribution Research Consultant","company":{"id":176554,"name":"Caterpillar","domain":"caterpillar.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/caterpillar","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":96,"open_postings":156,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.135,"repost_share":0.026,"time_to_fill_p50_days":31,"computed_at":"2026-11-10T06:52:35Z"}},"role":"Operations","role_family":"Operations","seniority":"senior","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"explicit","locations":["Morton, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":147760,"max":221640,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":221640},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":5,"visa_sponsorship":true,"relocation_package":true,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Power BI","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"SAS","optional":false},{"name":"Snowflake","optional":false},{"name":"SQL","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-11-03T22:22:28Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-11-03","last_verified_at":"2026-11-10T10:38:41Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":6,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":6},"description":"Career Area:\nSupply Chain and LogisticsJob Description:\nYour Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.\nWhen 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.\nYour Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.\nWhen you join Caterpillar, you’re joining a global team who care not just about the work we do - but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers and future work 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.\nOur Product Support and Logistics Division (PSLD) is one of the most innovative divisions within Caterpillar. In PSLD, as within all of Caterpillar, our priority is our customers and helping them build a better world. We touch nearly every element of the services value stream. PSLD is responsible for Aftermarket Parts Distribution of Cat Parts, Integrated Logistics and Global Services supporting Caterpillar dealers and customers. Our teams work together in critical areas that leverage digital capabilities, technology and operational excellence.\nThe Distribution Research Consultant serves as a business and subject matter expert supporting Caterpillar's Inventory Management systems and processes. This role is responsible for leading cross-functional projects, integration activities, and advanced ad hoc analysis across Demand Forecasting & Inventory Planning (DFIP), Distribution Requirements Planning (DRP), Deployment, and Service Analysis.\nThe position partners closely with business stakeholders, system architects, and IT teams to identify opportunities, evaluate complex business problems, develop integrated solutions, and support strategic Inventory Management initiatives. A strong analytical and systems background is required, with the ability to connect processes and data across multiple planning systems and translate analysis into actionable business recommendations.\n\nAdditional Information:\n Location: Morton, IL (United States)\n Required Travel: Less than 10% (Domestic & International)\nRelocation Assistance Offered: None\nUS Work Sponsorship Offered: None\nWhat You Will Do:\nLead and support cross-functional projects across DFIP, DRP, Deployment, and Service Analysis. \nServe as an integration architect across Inventory Management systems and processes. \nPerform advanced ad hoc analysis and develop data-driven recommendations to support business decisions. \nAnalyze inventory, service, forecasting, replenishment, deployment, backorder, and operational performance. \nIdentify process and system integration opportunities across Inventory Management platforms. \nDevelop analytical solutions and tools to improve decision-making, process efficiency, and visibility. \nLead testing, validation, and business readiness activities for system enhancements and process changes. \nInvestigate complex process and system exceptions and develop integrated business solutions. \nPartner with DFIP, DRP, Deployment, Service, IT, Distribution, and other business teams to implement improvements. \nSupport strategic system and process transformation initiatives. \nMaintain process documentation, controls, and governance for supported business processes. \nTranslate complex analytical findings into clear recommendations for technical and non-technical audiences. \n\nWhat Skills You Will Have (Basic Requirements):\nBusiness Markets: Knowledge of existing and planned markets and market-related initiatives from the perspectives of the competition, the suppliers, the customer base and the regulatory environment; ability to apply market knowledge appropriately to diverse situations.\nCross-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.\nInfluencing: Knowledge of effective influencing tactics and strategies; ability to impact decisions within and outside own organization.\nLogistics Management: Knowledge of logistics and management; ability to follow proper processes and run operations for effective and efficient movement of materials and finished products.\nPlanning 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.\nProblem 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.\nProcess Improvement: 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.\nSupply 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.\nWhat Will Set You Apart (Top Candidates Will Have):\nBachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business Analytics, Information Systems, or related field, or equivalent experience. \n5+ years of experience within supply chain field.\nExperience with inventory management, demand forecasting, replenishment, deployment, or service-parts operations. \nExperience supporting DFIP, DRP, Deployment, SAP SPP, or similar supply chain systems. \nExperience with SAS, SQL, Python, Power BI, Snowflake, or other analytical tools. \nExperience leading system integration, testing, enhancements, and business process improvement initiatives. \nKnowledge of aftermarket parts distribution and Caterpillar supply chain processes.\nDemonstrated ability to influence decisions through data-driven analysis and business recommendations.\nStrong analytical and problem-solving skills. \nExperience working with large datasets and complex business processes. \nStrong understanding of integrated supply chain systems and processes. \nExperience leading cross-functional projects and analytical studies. \nAbility to work effectively across business and technical teams. \n\nWhat You Will Get:\nYou’ll have the opportunity to work with dealers and multiple teams across Caterpillar (Cat Trade COE, Cat Insurance Services, Cat Legal, Division Compliance, and Distribution Services Divisions) to mitigate risk and ensure all aspects of warranty claiming comply with applicable regulations.\nThrough it all, we are one team - creating and delivering world-class components and solutions superior to the competition. Learn more about the Caterpillar Experience.\nAbout Caterpillar:\nCaterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For nearly 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.\n#BI\nSummary Pay Range:\n$147,760.00 - $221,640.00Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-relatedknowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.\nBenefits:\nSubject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.\nMedical, dental, and vision benefits*\n\nPaid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*\n\n401(k) savings plans*\n\nHealth Savings Account (HSA)*\n\nFlexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*\n\nHealth Lifestyle Programs*\n\nEmployee Assistance Program*\n\nVoluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*\n\nCareer Development*\n\nIncentive bonus*\n\nDisability benefits\n\nLife Insurance\n\nParental leave\n\nAdoption benefits\n\nTuition Reimbursement\n\n* These benefits also apply to part-time employees\nThis position requires working onsite five days a week.Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.Posting Dates:\nNovember 3, 2026 - November 17, 2026Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.\nCaterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.\nNot ready to apply? 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