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.
12 Month Placement Scheme
Discipline: Supply Chain Planning
Location: Desford, Leicester
Salary: £26,000, Share Scheme, Pension, and 27 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 2026, you must be in your penultimate year of study unless enrolled in an integrated master’s program.
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.
The Building Construction Products (BCP) Division is a global division of Caterpillar, Inc. BCP has facilities in North Carolina (Cary, Clayton, Sanford), Georgia (Athens), the UK, China, India, and Brazil. Products designed, manufactured, and distributed by BCP include skid steer loaders, backhoe loaders, compact track loaders, multi-terrain loaders, small wheel loaders, small track-type tractors, and mini-hydraulic excavators. BCP's mission statement is: Achieve profitable growth by providing customers with the highest quality, best value building construction products, work tools, and integrated solutions in the industry.
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. We are proud to be active partners with both the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) & Women's Engineering Society (WES). We also have numerous well supported employee resource groups. Caterpillar is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds.
What experiences can we offer you?
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.
Job duties and responsibilities may include but are not limited to:
Our industrial placement training scheme represents a 12-month deployment within the Desford Supply Chain Planning department. Successful candidates will gain deep knowledge and experiences gathered within a truly global supply chain. From day one you will be embedded within a team solving real world problems and delivering tangible results.
As a Placement Trainee you will assist in the development, execution and maintenance of processes designed to optimise safety, quality, and the efficiency of our business.
By joining our team, you can expect:
Safe and Respectful work environment – Caterpillar places it’s values at the core of everything we do.
Collaboration – The opportunity to work with multi-disciplinary teams across the globe.
Responsibility – You will be given projects that really matter to the business and be empowered to take the lead.
Development – To be supported by passionate, experienced colleagues, who care about your development.
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.
Applicants will be on target to achieve a minimum of 2:2 honours degree level in one of the following disciplines: Engineering, Business Management, Economics, Supply Chain/Logistics, Automation, Robotics, Mechatronics
Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate the following attributes:
- Self-motivated with a drive to succeed
- Be able to work collaboratively within a team and across the company
- Natural curiosity and a desire to learn new things
- Flexible and agile – we work in a very fast-moving industry
- A strong work ethic and personal pride
- Microsoft Office Skills (Outlook, MS Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Creativity and ambition to bring about new and better ways of doing things
- Excellent problem solvers and who have an ability to learn quickly
- Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals
- Prior knowledge is not required, just an enthusiasm for your development
Recruitment Process Guidelines:
Here is a brief overview of what you can expect when applying to our Early Career roles…
Online Application: The first stage of the process is to complete the online application and attach your CV, this must be done before the closing date of the role that you're applying for. Once we reach the close date, we will begin reviewing all our applications, this may take a little while and we will contact you as soon as possible to let you know if you have been successful in moving forward to the next stage.
Stage one – Video Interview: If selected, you will be invited to complete a user-friendly video interview which will then be reviewed by the Hiring Team. At this stage, if you are successful, you will be invited to attend an Assessment Centre which we anticipate will be held on either 24th, 25th or 26th February onsite at our Desford facility so please try to keep those dates free. We would also recommend that you check your spam emails and your Workday account for updates.
Stage two - Assessment Centre: The Assessment Centre Day will look at a range of behaviours such as teamwork, decision-making, communication, and problem-solving. We aim to make these days fun, inclusive and as relaxed as possible.
Stage three – Offer: After the Assessment Centre, the Caterpillar team will review the feedback and extend offers to our preferred candidates, we aim to do this as quickly as possible. Placement students will start on 6th July 2026. We look forward to receiving your application to join Caterpillar!
NOTE: Only one application is required, please do not apply for multiple roles. You may be given the opportunity of being considered for other roles/locations at a later stage.
The panel cannot make assumptions when shortlisting therefore please demonstrate your qualifications and experience on your CV relevant to the criteria outlined.
Pending the number of applications, the criteria for the position may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting.
Click the apply button today and one of our friendly recruiters will be in touch.
Please note that this position requires working onsite five days per week.
Posting Dates:
December 9, 2025 - January 7, 2026
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply
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