Career Area:

Job Description:

Production Manager – Automated Operations

Location: East Peoria, IL (LL,NN)
Travel: Up to 5%
Relocation Assistance: Available
Visa Sponsorship: Not Available

Job Summary

As a Production Manager – Automated Operations, you will lead a complex manufacturing operation responsible for integrating and operating automated manufacturing processes, including but not limited to burn-to-shape, parts nesting, metal bending, milling, drilling, and other modern manufacturing technologies.  This position oversees and owns the process development and execution, coordinates production activities, resolves operational issues, develops employees, and ensures compliance with safety and quality standards. You will partner across manufacturing, quality, engineering, supply chain, and logistics teams to execute business objectives while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor equipment performance and process reliability, investigate problem areas, and support corrective actions that improve production results.
• Lead engineering support for the planning, development, operation, installation, and maintenance of manufacturing equipment, processes, and facilities.
• Use structured problem-solving, fact-finding, and diagnostic tools to define manufacturing issues, evaluate alternatives, and support informed decisions.
• Develop project plans, estimates, schedules, resource requirements, and status updates for assigned manufacturing engineering initiatives.
• Provide technical direction, coaching, and development support to operations technical staff and other manufacturing support teams.
• Lead and coordinate the daily activities of a complex production operation to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality manufacturing performance.
• Supervise, coach, and develop production employees and frontline leaders while promoting employee engagement and accountability.
• Drive manufacturing performance through production planning, resource allocation, problem resolution, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with established safety, quality, environmental, and operational standards.
• Analyze production metrics, inventory data, system performance, and operational reports to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and maintain procedures, documentation, and work practices that support operational excellence.
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to improve productivity, quality, and overall manufacturing effectiveness.
• Create a culture centered on safety, continuous improvement, collaboration, and operational excellence.

Required Skills

• Problem Solving: Ability to identify engineering and operational challenges, evaluate alternatives, analyze risks, and implement effective solutions.
• Data Gathering & Analysis: Experience collecting, analyzing, and utilizing operational data to drive informed business decisions and performance improvements.
• Performance Management: Demonstrated ability to coach employees, provide actionable feedback, and support workforce development initiatives.
• Analytical Thinking: Capability to evaluate complex situations, determine root causes, and implement new processes and controls.
• Decision Making & Critical Thinking: Proven ability to organize information, prioritize competing demands, and make sound operational decisions for newly developed manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Planning & Organizing: Experience integrating new technologies, developing action plans, managing priorities, and executing against production objectives.
• Effective Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage all levels of the organization.
• Accuracy & Attention to Detail: Commitment to operational discipline, quality standards, and execution excellence.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in burn to shape, parts nesting, metal bending, mill and drill, and other automated systems.
• Experience leading manufacturing operations in heavy equipment, industrial machinery, automotive, aerospace, metals, or high-volume production environments.
• Demonstrated success leading Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Kaizen, Six Sigma, or Operational Excellence initiatives.
• Experience managing hourly manufacturing teams.
• Strong understanding of production systems, quality management systems, and manufacturing performance metrics.
• Experience supporting large-scale operational transformation, automation, or process improvement initiatives.

Summary Pay Range:

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:

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.