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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 Industrial Placement Scheme   

Discipline: Marketing (Sales Support Specialist) 

Location: Desford, UK  

Salary: £24,500, Share Scheme, Pension, Flexible working, 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 2025, you must be in your penultimate year of study unless enrolled in an integrated master’s program. 

What do we do?  

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. 

Caterpillar’s Desford facility is part of the Building Construction Products (BCP) division, manufacturing a range of world class Backhoe Loaders and Compact Wheel Loaders, as part of the wider BCP range of products. Desford is more than just a production facility – it is home to a range of functions with global scope, including HR, Finance, Engineering, Purchasing, Manufacturing and Marketing.  

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. 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/responsibilities may include, but are not limited to: 

Provide Sales support to the global field sales rep teams and dealers to support prime product and work tool sales execution. Will also provide significant sales support to the CWL Product Group and New Product Introduction Managers during various NPI phases in terms of voice of the customer collection/communication, and documentation to obtain critical customer requirements. Competitor analysis is a key segment of sales support. As such, the role will encompass competitive analysis, followed up by sales support material creation being uploaded to catdealer.cat.com. In doing so, the candidate will work with the marketing communications team. The role by its very nature is extremely varied, which is part of its appeal. 

Support Sales Execution: Support the Product & Application Specialists with industry queries and application expertise to the global field sales rep teams and dealers to support prime product and work tool sales execution, price realization and improved value proposition 

Increase product application knowledge base for the family of CWL models and will be considered as a product group resource by the sales team. This will be achieved by familiarisation of the 90X and 91X product line i.e. In the iron 

Support product and application training to field reps, dealers & customers 

Identify, manage and provide reports on competitive performance studies, feature/benefit comparisons and maintenance and repair cost analysis 

Assist in defining and placing value on new product features, functional and technical specifications, and general product requirements 

Will deliver presentations to Cat and dealer personnel as well as assist with CWL related factory tours for customers 

Be heavily involved in the sales support material creation for social media platforms and go to market activities, especially within the aftermarket framework 

Film, create, edit and produce sales support videos to assist the global dealer and dealer sales force 

Support customer field follow visits and trade shows, some travel both national and international maybe required 

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.   

Who are we looking for?  

As the type of roles within our business are becoming more diverse, we are looking for people who are open minded, excellent problem solvers and who have an ability to learn quickly. You will be motivated, hard-working, and will embrace change. In return for your dedication and hard work, you will be provided with excellent career opportunities and strong support for your personal and career development to pursue a career within Caterpillar.   

Applicants will be on target to achieve a minimum of 2:2 honours degree level in one of the following disciplines: Marketing, Business Management, Product Design, Engineering 

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 interview which may be held face to face or virtually. We would also recommend that you check your spam emails and your Workday account for updates. 

Stage two - Interview: The interview process will look at a range of behaviours such as teamwork, decision-making, communication, and problem-solving.  

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 7th July 2025. We look forward to receiving your application to join Caterpillar! 

We look forward to receiving your application to join Caterpillar!  

How do I apply?   

Go to catukgraduates.com for more information.   

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.  

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Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO).

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