Career Area:

Manufacturing

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.

Production Manager

This Skillbridge opportunity is available for off-cycle and cohort format. Our Skillbridge opportunities are administered by Hiring Our Heroes.

After training, your permanent placement and shift will be determined by the needs of the business.

What you will do:

• Monitor and improve safety on the shop floor; eliminate any unsafe operations and ensure a safe and clean product environment.
• Determines processing needs to assure fixtures, tooling and methods are provided to meet schedules and production requirements.
• Daily tie-in with production management to designate work load, priorities and sequence for work assigned.
• Determines overtime need, determines priorities when resources are insufficient, and decides when disciplinary action is necessary.
• Suggest changes in working conditions and use of equipment to increase efficiency. Works to improve processes, timeliness and reduce costs by eliminating non-value added activities.
• Ensures the quality of product produced and conforms to Caterpillars Quality Policy while maintaining cost.
• Ensure necessary parts and materials are ordered and distributed in a timely and efficient manner
• Implement various corporate initiatives such as 5S, Lean Manufacturing, 6 Sigma, CQMS/ISO certification, etc.
• Responsible for training and development of staff, time keeping, estimating personnel needs, assigning work, meeting completion dates, and ensuring consistent application of organizational needs.
• Adheres to established standards, policies and practices relating to quality, cost reduction, safety, ergonomics, affirmative action, etc. in performing assigned duties.
• Employee is also responsible for performing other job duties as assigned by Caterpillar management from time to time.

What you have:

Quality Management: Knowledge of quality management methods, tools, and techniques and ability to create and support an environment that meets the quality goals of the organization.Level Working Knowledge:

• Utilizes quality indicators relevant to own unit or function.
• Adheres to organizational quality management processes and practices.
• Applies key aspects of continuous improvement processes and evaluates impact on quality.
• Uses quality evaluation tools and techniques such as walkthroughs and inspections.
• Works with quality assurance methods, tools and techniques.

Analytical Thinking: 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.Level Working Knowledge:

• Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue and determining its significance.
• Makes a systematic comparison of two or more alternative solutions.
• Uses flow charts, Pareto charts, fish diagrams, etc. to disclose meaningful data patterns.
• Identifies the major forces, events and people impacting and impacted by the situation at hand.
• Uses logic and intuition to make inferences about the meaning of the data and arrive at conclusions.

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 that can be incorporated into a personal work plan.
• Escalates concerns over competing or conflicting priorities.
• Monitors progress continuously and adjusts tactics for handling situations on a case by case basis.
• Creates action plans that ensure the accomplishment of responsibilities.

Process Improvement: Understanding and insight into evaluating current product quality and production methods and ability to maintains focus on the continuous improvement of processes, products and services.Level Working Knowledge:

• Defines the critical workflow for executing key processes.
• Identifies process problems that limit performance.
• Implements methods for improving and establishing controls for critical processes.
• Focuses on the most significant problems to maximize efficiency gains.
• Surfaces systemic problems to be addressed at the organizational level.

Talent Management: Knowledge of human resources and talent management processes; ability to lead, motivate, evaluate, and reward employees at the workplace.Level Working Knowledge:

• Delegates tasks to the right people in managing a program or a group of people.
• Explains processes on hiring, leading, motivating, evaluating, developing and rewarding people.
• Coordinates work schedules and workloads for employees.
• Transforms resistance into support and turns poor performers into team players.
• Applies standard procedures and policies in the operation of talent management.

Manufacturing Operations: Knowledge of manufacturing operations; ability to perform day-to-day operations of a manufacturing plant or facility for products.Level Extensive Experience:

• Monitors organizational adherence to policies and procedures.
• Facilitates communications across departments to ensure a smooth workflow in the plant or facility.
• Evaluates the risks and safety hazards present in manufacturing operations.
• Recommends key industry benchmarks of manufacturing operations and relates to own organization.
• Supervises daily operations to ensure production targets and forecasts are achieved.
• Employs tools and techniques for anticipating demand and assuring capacity.

Manufacturing Safety: Knowledge of manufacturing safety; ability to identify work-related hazards and perform necessary activities to meet regulatory requirements for the safety and protection of workers, environment and site.Level Extensive Experience:

• Consults on the use of new tools and techniques for safety protection.
• Performs safety inspections to assure compliance with OSHA requirements.
• Designs and implements emergency response processes and procedures.
• Promotes workplace safety among supervisors and workers; communicates safety rules and regulations.
• Assesses and reports unusual or new safety hazards or violations; initiates corrective action.
• Ensures that all employees and contractors comply with relevant safety policies and regulations.

Production Training: Knowledge of approaches, tools and techniques for delivering formal and informal training on the safe and efficient operation of production machinery; ability to conduct effective formal and situation-specific training.Level Working Knowledge:

• Prepares lesson plans and materials for upcoming training sessions.
• Documents the production process and writes user manuals detailing production machinery operation.
• Instructs staff in the basic set-up and operation of production machinery.
• Schedules and executes training sessions for production employees.
• Maintains records documenting employees' successful completion of production training programs.

Additional Information:

• Location of this position is in Mapleton, IL
• This position may require up to 5% travel.

Summary Pay Range:

$89,210.00 - $133,810.00

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:

April 1, 2026 - April 19, 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.

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