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 SummaryAs 1st shift Production Manager in Decatur, Illinois, you will oversee and coordinate a complex production line, ensuring safe, high-quality, on-time manufacturing. You'll 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 day-to-day 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 fact-finding 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 mistake-proof execution where required.
- Education: bachelor's degree or equivalent experience desired.
Preferred Skills- Experience leading production in a complex manufacturing environment, including multi-team coordination and shift leadership.
- Knowledge and practical application of Lean Manufacturing continuous improvement principles.
- Familiarity with Six Sigma methods and data-driven 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:November 4, 2026 - November 18, 2026
Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.
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