Manager Transportation (Senior Finance Analyst)

Career Area: Supply Chain and Logistics 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. Your Impact 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. Job Description: We are seeking an experienced Manager Transportation (Senior Finance Analyst) to join our GLBL BusSvcs – Freight Payable Mgt – ITP - -Global Finance Services Division. The preference for this role is to be based out of Whitefield, Bangalore-KA, India What you will do: The Freight Payables Center of Excellence (COE) is responsible for leading freight invoice-to-pay operations, process governance, controls compliance, transformation initiatives, stakeholder management, and service delivery across APAC and India operations. The role drives operational excellence, standardization, automation, quality improvement, productivity enhancement, and compliance within the Freight Payables organization. Key Responsibilities Operational Leadership •Lead end-to-end Freight Payables operations across multiple regions and business units. •Ensure timely processing, validation, approval, and payment of freight invoices. •Drive service level achievement, backlog reduction, aging management, and productivity targets. •Manage daily operational reviews and governance routines. Process Ownership & Governance •Act as process owner for Freight Payables processes. •Establish and maintain SOPs, control frameworks, process maps, and governance standards. •Drive standardization across regions and operating units. •Ensure compliance with Caterpillar financial policies and procedures. Team Leadership •Lead a team of Freight Payables professionals and outsourced service providers. •Develop employee capability, succession plans, and cross-skilling programs. •Conduct performance coaching and career development discussions. •Foster accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement culture. Stakeholder Management •Partner with regional finance teams, transportation teams, carriers, procurement, logistics, and business partners. •Represent Freight Payables in leadership reviews and governance forums. •Manage escalations impacting supplier payments, transportation providers, and business operations. Controls & Compliance •Ensure compliance with SOX requirements, approval matrix controls, audit requirements, and policy governance. •Drive remediation plans, root cause analysis, and corrective actions. •Partner with Internal Audit, Controllers, and Compliance organizations. Continuous Improvement & Transformation •Lead transformation initiatives including: •Blue Yonder implementation •Freight process automation •OCR and smart invoice processing •Workflow optimization •Reporting and analytics enhancement •Identify opportunities for cost reduction and process simplification. Quality Management •Establish quality-control framework and operational scorecards. •Monitor processing accuracy and service quality. •Implement preventive and corrective actions for recurring defects. Reporting & Analytics •Own operational KPI dashboards and management reporting. •Analyze volume trends, backlog performance, aging, productivity, quality, and compliance metrics. •Present business insights and recommendations to leadership. Vendor & Carrier Relationship Management •Manage carrier payment escalations and supplier concerns. •Ensure timely resolution of payment disputes and invoice exceptions. •Partner with transportation teams to drive carrier satisfaction. Project & Change Management •Lead transitions, migrations, stabilization activities, and organizational change initiatives. •Coordinate training, knowledge transfer, UAT, and process rollout activities. What you will have: Education •Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Supply Chain, Business, or related field. •MBA or professional certification preferred. Experience •10+ years of Accounts Payable / Freight Payables / ITP experience. •5+ years managing global operational teams. •Experience leading shared services or COE organizations. •Experience working with freight, logistics, transportation, or supply chain processes. Technical Skills •ERP Systems (SAP preferred) •Blue Yonder / TMS exposure •Power BI •Microsoft Excel Advanced •Workflow & Automation tools •Financial controls and audit processes This position requires candidate to work a 5-day -a -week schedule in the office. Skills desired: Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision. Level Working Knowledge: • Accurately gauges the impact and cost of errors, omissions, and oversights. • Utilizes specific approaches and tools for checking and cross-checking outputs. • Processes limited amounts of detailed information with good accuracy. • Learns from mistakes and applies lessons learned. • Develops and uses checklists to ensure that information goes out error-free. Continuous Transformation : Knowledge of evolving the business to remain competitive; ability to understand, adapt oneself to, respond to and proactively seek changes and innovation in the business environment to improve the competitive advantage of an organization. Level Basic Understanding: • Describes the rationale, concepts used and importance for the individual and organization to continuously transform. • Identifies the changes and ambiguity existing in the business environment. • Asks questions and accepts feedback non-defensively. • Gathers necessary information, learning resources and best practices used to resolve ambiguous situations. Data Gathering & Analysis: Knowledge of data gathering and analysis tools, techniques, and processes; ability to collect and synthesize data from a variety of stakeholders and sources in an objective manner to reach a conclusion, goal, or judgment. Level Working Knowledge: • Participates in gathering and analyzing an organization's data based on requirements. • Follows proper data gathering and analysis processes and policies. • Utilizes basic data collection and evaluation tools and techniques. • Reports problems that arise in the data collection process. • Documents data from various sources and in various formats. Import/Export - MFG: Knowledge of issues, procedures, tools and practices of importing and exporting; ability to import and export goods to and from international locations. Level Basic Understanding: • Explains commonly used import and export regulations of U.S. Customs. • Identifies basic documentation required for importing or exporting goods. • Describes typical letter of credit procedures and insurance requirements. • Displays an overall understanding of the import and export process. Planning and Organizing: Knowledge of the process of planning and arranging tasks and resources; ability to plan and organize both time and resources to get things completed while structuring and maintaining work in a systematic and highly methodical way. Level Working Knowledge: • Raises awareness of potential bottlenecks and disruptions to the schedule. • Breaks tasks into manageable steps t