Procurement 12 Month Industrial Placement Scheme

Location: Stafford, United Kingdom

Career Area

Students and Graduates

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.

Discipline: Procurement 12 Month Industrial Placement Scheme

Location: Stafford

Salary: £26,0000 Share Scheme, Pension and 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays).

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 in order 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 program.

At Caterpillar, you build what matters — whether it’s the career you want, crucial work skills, strong relationships, or new technologies. – Our work is powered by our people.

Who is Caterpillar?

We are the world's leading manufacturer of Construction and Mining Equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. Operating from 50 countries around the globe, the Caterpillar brand has developed into a symbol of strength, respect, and integrity. The organisation has a clear vision to be the global leader in providing customer value in the markets in which it operates. Our core values (Safety, Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork and Commitment) are key to our success.

What do we do?

The Stafford facility is part of Caterpillar’s Large Power Systems Division. Within our state-of-the-art facilities we are able to design & manufacture engines tailored to meet the precise requirements of our customers, for use anywhere in the world from the Arctic Circle to the Deserts of Chile, providing power solutions exactly when and where required. Our engines are reliable in a crisis keeping hospitals online, sporting fixtures playing or powering the grid when power stations fail.

Diversity at Caterpillar

When we leverage our people's experiences, backgrounds, and cultures in an inclusive environment, we enable every individual to achieve their full potential, which drives business success. Caterpillar is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds.

What experiences can we offer you?

You will be given the opportunity to experience different aspects of procurement, designed to provide you with an excellent foundation in the function.

These aspects may include

• Facility Supply – supporting supply chain and quality departments to improve supplier performance
• Product Supply – supporting New Product Introduction programmes
• Category Purchasing – supplier relationship and performance management of engine component suppliers covering multiple Caterpillar facilities
• Cost Centre of Excellence – development of data analytics to support optimised product cost

You will face a wide variety of challenges and have responsibility for either NPI (new product introduction) programs or managing supplier accounts as you will work closely with the extended global procurement teams, engage and visit UK suppliers and directly contribute to Caterpillar’s success.

Who are we looking for?

We’re looking for people who can show us a highly participative working style, and who thrive in a team of committed professionals. Great analytical, presentation skills and an ability to communicate at all levels. You should be on track to achieve a 2:2 in a Business, Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Economics or Engineering (Manufacturing, Automotive, Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical) degree.

We are looking for talented, ambitious people from various backgrounds who are interested in setting out on the road to success.

Recruitment Process Guide

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.

Step 1: Online Application

To apply, simply complete our online application form and upload your CV before the advertised closing date.

Our team will review all submissions & we'll keep you updated and let you know as soon as possible if you've been selected to progress to the next stage.

Step 2: Online Assessments & Video Interview

If you are selected to move forward in the process, you'll be invited to complete some online assessments, followed by a user-friendly video interview. Your responses will be reviewed by the hiring team, and successful candidates will then be invited to attend an in-person Assessment Centre / Interview, which we anticipate will take place on Wednesday 9th December 2026 at our Stafford facility. If possible, we recommend keeping this date available.

To ensure you don't miss any communications from us, please regularly check your text, email inbox (including your spam/junk folder) and your Workday account for updates.

Step 3: In Person Assessment Centre

Our Assessment Centre is designed to help you showcase your potential through a range of interactive activities focused on competencies such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making.

We aim to make the experience engaging, inclusive, and relaxed, giving you the best opportunity to demonstrate your strengths and learn more about Caterpillar.

Step 4: Offer

Following the Assessment Centre, the Caterpillar team will review all feedback and make hiring