Career Area:
Manufacturing
Job Description:
Production Manager
Location: Decatur, IL
Relocation Assistance: Offered
Visa Sponsorship: Not offered
Travel: Up to 5%
Work Arrangement: On-site
Job Summary
As 1st shift Production Manager in Decatur, Illinois, you will oversee and coordinate a complex production line, ensuring safe, highquality, ontime manufacturing. Youll lead daily execution by preparing schedules, resolving production issues, and reinforcing operating procedures and standards, while developing teams and strengthening a culture of continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and coordinate daytoday execution for a complex production line, aligning staffing, materials flow, and priorities to meet safety, quality, and delivery commitments.
- Create and maintain production reports and records (process performance, tooling issues, inventory) and provide actionable recommendations to improve safety, productivity, and quality.
- Prepare, maintain, and improve standard operating documentation, ensuring processes and products meet defined safety and quality standards.
- Supervise and direct production teams: assign work, coordinate across teams, monitor performance, remove barriers, and ensure a safe work environment.
- Train and onboard new team members; manage scheduling and resolve work conflicts to maintain stable, efficient shift execution.
- Troubleshoot operational issues with a structured approach; identify root causes, evaluate options, and implement effective countermeasures.
- Communicate clearly up, down, and across the organization to sustain alignment, accountability, and consistent production results.
Required Skills
- Problem Solving: Ability to identify problems, assess alternatives, and drive practical resolutions using factfinding and diagnostic tools.
- Data Gathering & Analysis: Ability to collect, synthesize, and document data from multiple sources to support decisions and performance improvements.
- Performance Management: Ability to set expectations, provide objective feedback, develop talent, and contribute to a strong performance culture.
- Analytical Thinking: Ability to define issues, compare solution options, recognize patterns, and apply structured analysis tools.
- Decision Making & Critical Thinking: Ability to organize relevant inputs, clarify priorities, and assess risks/benefits to make sound decisions.
- Planning & Organizing: Ability to build action plans, manage competing priorities, and keep production on track with disciplined execution.
- Effective Communications: Ability to communicate clearly and constructively with teams and stakeholders; deliver feedback and share expectations.
- Accuracy & Attention to Detail: Ability to ensure precise documentation, reliable reporting, and mistakeproof execution where required.
- Education: bachelors degree or equivalent experience desired.
Preferred Skills
- Experience leading production in a complex manufacturing environment, including multiteam coordination and shift leadership.
- Knowledge and practical application of Lean Manufacturing continuous improvement principles.
- Familiarity with Six Sigma methods and datadriven problem solving.
Summary Pay Range:
$97,530.00 - $146,290.00
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
This position requires working onsite five days a week.
Relocation is available for this position.
Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Posting Dates:
September 17, 2026 - October 1, 2026
Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.
