Manufacturing Engineer Systems Lead Planner

** 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.
*
* Job Title:

** Manufacturing Systems Lead Planner
** Salary:** £49,519 - £61,899  
*
* Contract:

** Permanent
*
* Location:

** Peterlee, County Durham  
*
* Hours:

** Full Time - 36.50  
** Job Reference:
** R  
** Hiring Manager:
** Nathan Machon
** Closing Date:
** 09/03/2026
** Benefits:
*** 25 days annual leave
* Up to 10% Bonus
* Contributory pension scheme - Caterpillar will double the employee's contribution Up to 10%
* Contributory share scheme - Caterpillar will match 50% of the employee's contribution.
* Optional flexible benefits including access to health and dental care plans, EV car lease, holiday purchase.
** The Opportunity
** As the Manufacturing Systems Lead Planner, you will provide technical leadership and subject matter expertise necessary to design, develop, and implement World Class Manufacturing Systems and Processes, specifically supporting managing Manufacturing Bills of Material and leading the Process Planning within Global Team Centre Manufacturing (PLM) System & SAP.Effective collaboration is a key characteristic of the team to enable accelerated and concurrent New Product and Process Development utilising the latest Virtual Development, Simulation and Validation Tools and Techniques.
** Job Duties/Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
*** Provide expertise on engineering, manufacturing, quality standards, and Caterpillar systems.
* Create Sales Models in our PLM System and SAP, including process plans, process flows, and sub‑process structures.
* Support daily End‑to‑End Manufacturing Engineering Planning and Change Processes for current production and NPI.
* Maintain best practices, controls, and metrics for Manufacturing Engineering Planning and Execution Systems.
* Create and maintain Collaboration Context (CC) objects and Visio process flow diagrams; build sub‑process structures and routings in the PLM System and interface them with SAP.
* Mentor Process Planners on best practices and process updates in the PLM System, track change masters and coordinate with BoM Analysts on engineering packages, manufacturing changes, and NPI pilot/ramp‑up activity.
* Lead/support projects developing Manufacturing Engineering and Systems MGPP plans for current and future strategy.
* Bring broad value‑stream and business process knowledge and strong understanding of engineering release and manufacturing planning processes; maintain strong customer focus.
* Be a key link between Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering.
** Degree Requirement
** Degree or equivalent experience desired.
** Skills, Experience & Qualifications You Will Have
** ERP/SAP (ME) experience in manufacturing engineering environments.*
* • Decision Making & Critical Thinking:
** Ability to analyze situations and make sound, informed decisions.*
* • Manufacturing Engineering:
** Strong understanding of engineering processes, methods, and systems used in manufacturing environments.*
* • Lean Manufacturing:
** Ability to apply lean philosophy, tools, and continuous‑improvement methods to production and management processes.*
* • Manufacturing Processes:
** Knowledge of manufacturing methods, technologies, and process execution from planning to delivery.*
* • Problem Solving:
** Ability to recognize, anticipate, and resolve operational and process issues using structured problem‑solving tools.*
* • Project Management**:
Ability to plan, organize, monitor, and deliver projects effectively, using appropriate resources and methods.
** Top Candidates Will Have
*** Practical experience across the Manufacturing Engineering value stream, systems, and modern planning methods.
* Strong NPI/NPI‑APQP experience,…