We currently have some exciting opportunities for industrial placement students to join Caterpillar across several of our sites. You will have the opportunity to work with others across our organisation and you will be directly involved, and at the heart of our business, participating on strategic projects.
Please note that to be eligible to complete a 12-Month Industrial Placement commencing July 2027, you must be in your penultimate year of study unless enrolled in an integrated Master’s programme.
Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives. Since 1925, we’ve been driving sustainable progress and helping customers build a better world through innovative products and services. Throughout the product life cycle, we offer services built on cutting-edge technology and decades of product expertise. These products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value to help our customers succeed.
We have a clear vision to be the global leader in providing customer value in the markets in which we operate. Our core values (Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork, Commitment and Sustainability) are key to our success.
Resource Industries Supply Management (RISM) is Caterpillar’s procurement organisation, supporting the business through end-to-end procurement lifecycle solutions. RISM works collaboratively with internal stakeholders and suppliers to build a resilient supply base, create sustainable value, improve quality and support customer success, while maintaining high standards of safety, compliance and integrity.
During this 12-month placement, you will have the opportunity to experience a variety of procurement activities within Resource Industries Supply Management (RISM), giving you valuable insight into working as part of a professional procurement team.
The Desford Procurement Team supports the facility through site purchasing activities, supplier relationship management, risk mitigation, process excellence and continuous improvement. The team provides exposure to a broad range of procurement activities and cross-functional projects, offering the opportunity to understand how effective procurement supports Caterpillar’s wider business objectives.
We hold a Meet and Greet day for all new UK placement students to provide you with an opportunity to meet fellow new starters across the UK before you start your placement.
As an equal opportunity employer, we value diversity at Caterpillar and believe the more experience you can gain early in your career the further you can go. That’s why during our yearlong scheme we place an emphasis on multiple diverse projects.
You will have the opportunity to work and collaborate with people in Caterpillar facilities worldwide and we are looking for you to bring fresh, innovative ideas to solve complex technical problems. You will be a fully involved team member with responsibility and accountability for key project deliverables. That said, you will be given all the support you require to be successful.
Our placement roles have the additional benefit of a workplace mentor; this could be your manager or a technical expert who will support you throughout your time at Caterpillar and help you gain the professional development and skills you need to be set up for success! Our placement students can expect to return to university with further developed technical skills and experience of how University learning is applied to the workplace.
We also operate a conditional offer process; our highest performing placement students are fast tracked to our graduate development scheme. This includes a financial incentive and the potential of a summer work placement. Offers will be made based on the condition that a graduate role is available at the time of your graduation and that you achieve a min of 2:2.
Applicants will be on target to achieve a minimum of 2:2 honours degree level in one of the following disciplines: Business Management, Economics, Supply Chain/Logistics, Data Analytics.
Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate the following attributes:
We’re excited that you’re considering a career with Caterpillar. Below is an overview of our Early Careers recruitment process and what you can expect at each stage.
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