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Senior Program Specialist Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Caterpillar

Senior Program Specialist

Lafayette, IN · On-site

Job Summary As a Senior Program Specialist , you will play a key role in advancing strategic business initiatives that support global capacity growth and operational excellence. This highly visible ...

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Senior Program Specialist information

See Indiana salary details

$30K

$56.9K

$76.4K

How much do senior program specialist jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior program specialist in Indiana is $56,878.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46,871.00 and $71,245.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Senior Program Specialist do?

A Senior Program Specialist is responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing specific programs or projects within an organization. They often manage program activities, evaluate effectiveness, and ensure alignment with organizational goals. Senior Program Specialists also provide guidance to junior staff, collaborate with stakeholders, and prepare reports on program progress. Their role is crucial in ensuring that programs run smoothly and achieve desired outcomes.

How does a Senior Program Specialist typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve program goals?

Senior Program Specialists often serve as a central point of coordination between various departments such as operations, finance, and communications. They facilitate regular meetings, manage project timelines, and ensure all stakeholders are aligned on objectives and deliverables. By actively engaging with team members across disciplines, they identify potential roadblocks early and help implement solutions to keep programs on track. This collaborative approach is essential for delivering complex projects successfully and maintaining strong working relationships throughout the organization.

What is the difference between Senior Program Specialist vs Program Coordinator?

AspectSenior Program SpecialistProgram Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's degree, experience in program managementBachelor's degree, entry-level to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentDevelops and oversees programs, manages teamsSupports program activities, assists with logistics
Employer & Industry UsageNonprofits, government agencies, corporate sectorsNonprofits, educational institutions, government
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding senior-level responsibilities and qualificationsLearning about entry to mid-level program roles

The Senior Program Specialist typically has more experience and handles complex program management tasks, including oversight and strategic planning. In contrast, a Program Coordinator focuses on supporting program activities and logistics. Both roles are common in similar industries, but the senior role involves higher responsibility and leadership.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Program Specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Program Specialist, you need expertise in program management, data analysis, and policy implementation, often supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with project management software, data reporting tools, and sometimes certifications like PMP are typically expected. Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills help you engage stakeholders and guide teams toward successful outcomes. These abilities are crucial for ensuring effective program delivery, meeting organizational goals, and adapting to evolving project requirements.
What are the most commonly searched types of Program Specialist jobs in Indiana? The most popular types of Program Specialist jobs in Indiana are:
What are popular job titles related to Senior Program Specialist jobs in Indiana? For Senior Program Specialist jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Program Specialist jobs in Indiana look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Program Specialist jobs in Indiana are:
What cities in Indiana are hiring for Senior Program Specialist jobs? Cities in Indiana with the most Senior Program Specialist job openings:
Senior Program Specialist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Program Specialist job openings in Indiana as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,878 per year, or $27.3 per hour.
Senior Program Specialist

Senior Program Specialist

Caterpillar

Lafayette, IN • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago

Caterpillar Inc. rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 475 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

264th of 486 rated machine equipment manufacturers

Job description

Career Area:
Strategy
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.
About LPSD
The Large Power Systems Division (LPSD) is part of Caterpillar's Power & Energy segment. Through this global organization, Caterpillar designs and manufactures large (greater than 18 liters) diesel and natural gas engines, powertrains and key engine systems. LPSD products and solutions support customers across power generation, industrial, marine, oil & gas, rail, services and Cat® machine applications worldwide.
LPSD teams work across regions and functions to deliver safe, reliable and compliant solutions that help solve our customers' toughest challenges.
Job Summary
As a Senior Program Specialist, you will play a key role in advancing strategic business initiatives that support global capacity growth and operational excellence. This highly visible position partners with leaders across manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, and operations to drive complex programs and deliver impactful business results. You will lead cross-functional efforts, provide executive-level reporting and insights, and help ensure critical initiatives remain aligned with organizational objectives. Success in this role requires strong program leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence stakeholders across multiple levels of the organization.
What You Will Do
  • Lead and coordinate complex programs and projects that support strategic business objectives and global capacity growth initiatives.
  • Drive alignment across multiple facilities and cross-functional teams to ensure successful execution of project deliverables.
  • Manage project plans, timelines, risks, dependencies, and stakeholder communications.
  • Monitor program performance and progress, identifying risks and implementing mitigation strategies to keep initiatives on track.
  • Analyze operational and business data to develop insights, recommendations, and executive-level reporting.
  • Prepare and deliver presentations for senior leaders and executive stakeholders, translating complex information into clear business narratives.
  • Facilitate cross-functional problem-solving efforts and drive resolution of issues impacting project success.
  • Support long-range planning activities while balancing tactical execution and day-to-day program management responsibilities.
  • Ensure adherence to project management processes, governance standards, and reporting requirements.
  • Build strong partnerships across operations, supply chain, logistics, engineering, and other business functions to achieve program objectives.

Degree Requirement
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Operations Management, Logistics, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
What You Will Have
  • Tactical/Strategic Planning: Extensive experience and knowledge of effective planning techniques and ability to contribute to operational (short term), tactical (1-2 years) and strategic (3-5 years) planning in support of the overall business plan.
    • Develops, refines, and communicates tactical plans for own responsibilities.
    • Provides the right level of detail as input for strategic plan development.
    • Demonstrates the value and necessity of linking tactical plans to overall strategic plan.
    • Ensures attention to the detail and dependencies of existing departmental-level plans.
    • Plans for allocation of resources in line with unit goals, technical and business objectives.
    • Ensures the planning process is integrated with the overall business plan.

  • Analytical Thinking: Extensive experience and knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.
    • Seeks discrepancies and inconsistencies in available information; explains variances.
    • Organizes and prioritizes the sequence of steps to be taken to remedy the situation.
    • Identifies many possible causes for a problem based on prior experience and current research.
    • Quantifies the costs, benefits, risks and chances for success before recommending a course of action.
    • Approaches a complex problem by breaking it down into its component parts.
    • Chooses among a diverse set of analytical tools according to the nature of the situation.

  • Flexibility and Adaptability: Extensive experience and knowledge of successful approaches and techniques for dealing with change; ability to adapt to a changing environment and be comfortable with change.
    • Creates processes with provisions to accommodate change.
    • Helps others adapt to changing environments and accept new situations.
    • Recovers from disappointments and setbacks.
    • Works effectively with unstructured teams, situations, or environments.
    • Leverages prior experience as a help towards handling changing situations.
    • Makes progress in an atmosphere of ambiguity and uncertainty.

  • Influencing: Working knowledge of effective influencing tactics and strategies; ability to impact decisions within and outside own organization.
    • Develops basic persuasive arguments.
    • Discusses organizational culture around providing input on decisions.
    • Uses active listening skills and probing techniques to surface opportunities to influence.
    • Identifies who the decision makers are and how they receive information.
    • Regularly presents ideas or suggestions to associates in persuasive terms.

  • Relationship Management: Extensive experience and knowledge of relationship management techniques; ability to establish and maintain healthy working relationships with clients, vendors, and peers.
    • Communicates to clients regarding expectations of all parties.
    • Participates in negotiating the terms of the business relationship.
    • Conducts periodic reviews of work effort, progress, issues, and successes.
    • Maintains productive, long-term relationships with clients or vendors.
    • Creates opportunities to educate support teams on client priorities.
    • Empowers others to establish collaborative, healthy relationships.

Additional Requirements
  • Prior experience leading large-scale projects, programs, or business initiatives in a manufacturing: supply chain, logistics, operations, or related environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
  • Experience developing and presenting recommendations, project updates, and business insights to leadership audiences.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
  • Experience managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and PowerPoint.

What Will Put You Ahead
  • Experience supporting large-scale capacity expansion, operational growth, or facility start-up initiatives.
  • Background in high-volume manufacturing, logistics, supply chain, or distribution operations.
  • Experience managing capital investment (CAPEX) projects or supporting major capital programs.
  • Demonstrated success communicating with executive leadership and presenting business recommendations to senior stakeholders.
  • Strong data analytics and data storytelling capabilities, including the ability to translate complex data into actionable business insights.
  • Experience utilizing business intelligence and reporting tools to support strategic decision-making.
  • PMP, Lean, Six Sigma, or other project/program management certifications.

Additional Information
  • This position requires the candidate to work a 5-day-a-week schedule in the office.
  • Travel less than 20% is possible; May require quarterly travel to nearby facilities.
  • Relocation is available for this position.
  • Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this position.

This Job Description is intended as a general guide to the job duties for this position and is intended for the purpose of establishing the specific salary grade. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive summary of all responsibilities, duties and effort required of employees assigned to this job.
At the discretion of management, this description may be changed at any time to address the evolving needs of the organization. It is expressly not intended to be a comprehensive list of "essential job functions" as that term is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
About Caterpillar
Caterpillar Inc. is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For over 100 years, we have been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.
Please ensure you frequently check the e-mail account you provided on your application, including the junk/spam folder, as this is the primary correspondence method in our recruiting process.
Summary Pay Range:
$128,470.00 - $192,710.00
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 Caterpillar.
Benefits:
Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.
  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits*
  • Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*
  • 401(k) savings plans*
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)*
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*
  • Health Lifestyle Programs*
  • Employee Assistance Program*
  • Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*
  • Career Development*
  • Incentive bonus*
  • Disability benefits
  • Life Insurance
  • Parental leave
  • Adoption benefits
  • Tuition Reimbursement

* These benefits also apply to part-time employees
Posting Dates:
July 20, 2026 - July 29, 2026
Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.
Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.

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