What are the responsibilities and job description for the VP, Supply Chain - Locomotive position at Progress Rail?
Job Purpose
The Vice President of Supply Chain – Locomotive Division is a senior leader responsible for defining and leading the end-to-end supply chain strategy for Progress Rail’s global locomotive business. This role ensures safe, reliable, cost-competitive, and resilient supply chain execution to support new locomotive production, modernization programs, aftermarket services, and emerging technologies including hybrid and alternative propulsion platforms.
As a member of the Locomotive Operations leadership team, the VP of Supply Chain partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and Commercial leaders to deliver on customer commitments while advancing Caterpillar’s enterprise priorities for operational excellence, safety, sustainability, and profitable growth.
As a member of the Locomotive Operations leadership team, the VP of Supply Chain partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and Commercial leaders to deliver on customer commitments while advancing Caterpillar’s enterprise priorities for operational excellence, safety, sustainability, and profitable growth.
Req ID
11717BR
Work Location Options
Muncie, IN is a possible location
City
La Grange
State:
Illinois
Company Description
Progress Rail stands at the intersection of legacy and innovation—driving the future of rail with a pioneering spirit. Since its founding in 1983, the company has grown to become one of the world’s largest and most trusted providers of railroad products, services, and technologies. Today, Progress Rail delivers a comprehensive portfolio of cost-effective solutions to railway customers around the globe. From the rails themselves to the EMD® locomotives that ride them, the company’s products are in operation across more than 100 countries—powering progress and connecting communities. In 2006, Progress Rail joined Caterpillar Inc., further strengthening its ability to lead the rail industry with cutting-edge technology, unmatched expertise, and a commitment to excellence. At Progress Rail, the team is not just building the future of rail—they are making history every day.
Key Job Elements
Enterprise Supply Chain Leadership
Operational Excellence & Results
Supplier & Commercial Strategy
Quality, Safety & Compliance
Transformation & Capability Building
Collaboration & Leadership
People, Culture & Talent
Sustainability & Long-Term Value
- Lead the end-to-end supply chain organization, including strategic sourcing, procurement, planning, logistics, inventory management, and risk mitigation.
- Translate business and operations strategies into executable supply chain plans that support production readiness, delivery performance, and cost objectives.
- Serve as the primary supply chain advisor to the SVP of Operations and Locomotive Division leadership.
Operational Excellence & Results
- Ensure material availability and flow across all locomotive programs, minimizing disruption to production and customer deliveries.
- Drive disciplined operating rhythms (S&OP / IBP), inventory optimization, and working capital performance.
- Establish clear KPIs and accountability for safety, delivery, quality, cost, and cash.
Supplier & Commercial Strategy
- Develop and execute long-term sourcing and supplier strategies aligned with locomotive product roadmaps and volume outlooks.
- Lead strategic negotiations and supplier partnerships focused on total cost of ownership, capacity assurance, and technology enablement.
- Proactively manage supply risk through dual sourcing, localization, and continuity planning.
Quality, Safety & Compliance
- Champion a safety-first culture across the supply chain and extended supplier network.
- Partner with Quality and EHS leaders to ensure suppliers meet Progress Rail, Caterpillar, regulatory, and customer requirements.
- Drive strong supplier quality systems, corrective action discipline, and compliance with global trade and ethics standards.
Transformation & Capability Building
- Lead supply chain transformation initiatives, including digital enablement, analytics, and process standardization.
- Improve visibility and decision-making through enhanced planning tools, data governance, and performance management.
- Drive continuous improvement using Lean, structured problem solving, and best-practice deployment.
Collaboration & Leadership
- Work cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Product Management, Finance, and Commercial teams to enable business outcomes.
- Build strong alignment between supply chain execution and shop-floor operations.
- Represent Supply Chain as a collaborative partner, not a functional silo.
People, Culture & Talent
- Build, develop, and retain a high-performing supply chain leadership team.
- Establish succession plans and leadership pipelines for critical roles.
- Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, inclusion, and continuous development.
Sustainability & Long-Term Value
- Advance responsible sourcing, supplier sustainability, and risk-aware procurement practices.
- Support Progress Rail and Caterpillar sustainability goals through supply chain decisions and partnerships.
- Balance near-term execution with long-term value creation for customers and the enterprise.
Education / Training
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or a related discipline (required).
- MBA or advanced degree (preferred).
Qualifications and Experience
Experience
Leadership Competencies
Travel
Approximately 30–40%, domestic and international
Essential and Physical Activities Functions
outside employees are subject to all weather elements. Employees will work with oils and other lubricants;
The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required.
- 15 years of progressive leadership experience in supply chain, operations, or procurement within complex manufacturing or heavy industrial environments.
- Proven experience leading global, multi-site supply chain organizations.
- Demonstrated success supporting engineered-to-order or highly regulated products.
- Track record of leading transformation and driving measurable operational results.
Leadership Competencies
- Integrity: Acts with transparency, ethics, and accountability in all decisions.
- Excellence: Relentless focus on results, quality, and continuous improvement.
- Teamwork: Builds trust, collaboration, and alignment across functions and regions.
- Commitment: Develops people, leads through change, and delivers on promises.
- Sustainability: Makes decisions that create long-term value for customers, employees, and communities.
Travel
Approximately 30–40%, domestic and international
Essential and Physical Activities Functions
- Strength – Position requires lifting of 50lbs. Requires stamina and strength to work in tight and confined
- Motion –Position requires standing the majority of the day. Frequent walking, squatting, kneeling, and
- Vision/Hearing Requirements – Exposed to high levels of noise and vibration from using tools. Position is
- Work Environment – Position can be located inside or outside, dependent on situation. When inside, the
outside employees are subject to all weather elements. Employees will work with oils and other lubricants;
- Emotional Demands – Expected to work and cooperate as part of team in order to meet production
- Safety – Position is safety sensitive, as it requires working in and around live tracks and operation and
The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required.
Benefits
Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance, and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Progress Rail.**
**Subject to position, eligibility, and plan guidelines.
- Competitive Salary
- 401(k) plan with up to 6% company match (no waiting period with immediate vesting)
- Medical/Dental/Vision/Life/Disability Insurance
- Supplemental Accident, Critical Care, and Hospital Insurance available along with an HDHP and HSA with seed money
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Time-Off (PTO)
- Employee Assistance Plan
- Education Assistance Program
- Employee Recognition Programs
- Site specific Production and Incentive Plans
- Site specific Step and Skill Level Wage Adjustment Plans
- Site Specific Relocation and Sign-on Bonus Programs
- Benefits eligibility varies by job position, full-time/part-time and regular/temporary status. The provisions of the plan documents control such benefits.
**Subject to position, eligibility, and plan guidelines.
EEO
Progress Rail is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.
Job Category
Executive
PRS Facility Location
EMD HQ LaGrange, IL - 400
Summary Pay Range
$150,000 - $265,000
Salary : $150,000 - $265,000