Caterpillar, Inc

Senior Manager Production

Caterpillar, Inc$147K — $221K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required.
  • 5-7 years of leadership experience in manufacturing settings.
  • Proven knowledge in production training and development.
  • Strong problem-solving skills in operational environments.
  • Demonstrated ability to adapt to and manage change.
  • Expertise in performance management techniques.
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage diverse teams.

Responsibilities

  • Manage staffing and performance programs for operations personnel.
  • Oversee manufacturing activities, ensuring safety and performance standards are met.
  • Drive operational improvements regarding cost, safety, and quality controls.
  • Ensure compliance with all regulatory guidelines for a safe working environment.
  • Lead training initiatives on production machinery for staff development.
  • Create and implement strategies for effective workforce planning and resource allocation.
  • Monitor budget execution and align with strategic business priorities.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Generous paid time off policy including vacation and holidays.
  • Robust 401(k) retirement savings plan with company participation.
  • Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts offered.
  • Employee Assistance Programs available for support.
  • Opportunities for career development and growth.
  • Incentives including performance bonuses and discounts.
  • Life insurance and disability benefits offered.
Full Job Description
Career Area:
Manufacturing

Job Description:

Role Definition:

As a Senior Manager Production, you will provide leadership and direction to teams of machinists and/or assembly technicians while fostering a culture of safety, engagement, and continuous improvement. Pontiac Fuel Systems is a global leader in the production of fuel injectors and assemblies for off-highway diesel and dual-fuel applications. This position plays a key role in delivering business results through ownership of value stream budgets, workforce planning, resource allocation, and execution of strategic SPQVC priorities. The successful candidate will demonstrate the flexibility and adaptability needed to effectively lead teams across 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shifts in support of a continuous manufacturing operation.

What You Will Do:
  • Managing staffing, development, and performance management programs for operations staff; managing, motivating, and developing management team.
  • Overseeing operations activities, ensuring that safety, and schedules and performance requirements are met and system resources are used effectively.
  • Driving improvements for overall operations performance and implementing production safety, cost, and quality control mechanisms.
  • Ensures the compliance of all regulatory guidelines and forges a safe and sound manufacturing environment.


Degree Requirement:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

What Skills You Have:

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.
  • Conducts needs analysis to determine skill gaps or areas where training is needed.
  • Develops training programs on the use of new or improved production machines.
  • Directs staff on the set-up and operation of production machinery for custom or nonstandard jobs.
  • Evaluates the pros and cons of various training media and the value of each to the organization.
  • Facilitates the training of employees on new equipment provided by equipment manufacturers.
  • Measures the value of the training program by gathering pre- and post-training performance metrics.


Problem Solving: Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations.
  • Ensures capture of lessons to be learned from a problem-solving effort.
  • Organizes potential problem solvers and leads problem resolution efforts.
  • Uses varying problem-solving approaches and techniques as appropriate.
  • Contributes to standard practices for problem-solving approaches, tools, and processes.
  • Analyzes and synthesizes information and devises alternative resolution strategies.
  • Develops successful resolutions to critical or wide-impact problems.


Flexibility and Adaptability: 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.


Performance Management: Knowledge of successful performance management techniques; ability to apply organization's performance management system, practices, and tools to developing and improving individual, team, and organizational performance.
  • Gives continuing feedback, recognizes achievement, and recommends improvement.
  • Participates in the salary planning and administration process.
  • Defines and agrees upon performance goals and objectives with associates.
  • Identifies performance problem areas early on and defines specific improvement activities.
  • Adjusts and communicates performance objectives as necessary for team objectives.
  • Publicly shares accolades and recognizes and rewards top performers.


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.
  • Updates stakeholders on potential changes; re-negotiates requirements as necessary.
  • Identifies the critical goals and tasks required to meet daily objectives.
  • Develops contingency plans or to improve processes and to avoid problems before they occur.
  • Evaluates linkages and interrelationships when prioritizing multiple responsibilities.
  • Manages conflicting priorities effectively.
  • Tracks the implementation of plans closely to ensure that desired outcomes are achieved.


Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.
  • Reviews others' writing or presentations and provides feedback and coaching.
  • Adapts documents and presentations for the intended audience.
  • Demonstrates both empathy and assertiveness when communicating a need or defending a position.
  • Communicates well downward, upward, and outward.
  • Employs appropriate methods of persuasion when soliciting agreement.
  • Maintains focus on the topic at hand.


Additional Information:
  • This position requires the selected candidate to work on-site five days a week in the Pontiac, IL facility.
  • Domestic relocation assistance is available.
  • VISA sponsorship is not available for this position.
  • Please ensure you frequently sign in to your Candidate Home for any updates or correspondence for positions that you have applied for: https://cat.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/CaterpillarCareers


#LI

Summary Pay Range:

$147,760.00 - $221,640.00

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:
August 20, 2026 - August 27, 2026

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

About Caterpillar, Inc

Progress Rail Services Corporation, a Caterpillar company, is one of the largest integrated and diversified suppliers of railroad and transit system products and services worldwide. Since its acquisition by Caterpillar Inc. in 2006, Progress Rail has used the Caterpillar international footprint to gain quick and widespread notice and approval across the globe. Product technology, reliability and durability, along with legendary aftermarket parts and service support, have been their keys to success. Caterpillar is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. The technology and world reach of Caterpillar, combined with the service standard and historical reliability of Progress Rail, ensures their products and services make a growing impact on the world rail industry. With their acquisition of Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD), Progress Rail is the world's largest builder of diesel-electric locomotives for all commercial railroad applications including freight, intercity passenger, commuter, switching, industrial and mining. EMD is also a global provider of diesel power engines for marine propulsion, offshore and land based oil well drilling rigs and stationary power generation. Electro-Motive is the only diesel engine manufacturer of its size to have produced more than 70,000 engines. This success stems from product reliability, serviceability, load acceptance capability, low operating costs and ease of maintenance with standardized components.

Caterpillar, Inc. Careers

Join the robust team at Caterpillar, Inc., a global leader in construction and mining equipment, where innovation drives everything we do. As part of our team, you'll engage in work that improves the world and furthers your career with every project you touch.

Work You’ll Do

At Caterpillar, Inc., you will have the opportunity to contribute to a variety of groundbreaking projects that extend across the globe. Our commitment to leadership in the industry is unwavering, and we achieve it through a culture that fosters diversity and leadership development.

Explore Job Opportunities and Growth

Caterpillar offers a wide range of job opportunities and career paths, providing a platform for professional growth and development. Whether you're interested in engineering, sales, marketing, or management, Caterpillar has a position that will utilize your unique skills and talents. We are continuously hiring innovative minds to propel our mission forward and maintain our status as industry leaders.

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Kickstart your career with a Caterpillar internship. Our internships provide invaluable workplace experience and networking opportunities that often lead to full-time employment at our company. As an intern, you will work alongside experienced professionals and gain insights that will benefit you as you advance in your career.

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Choosing a career at Caterpillar means more than just having a job. It means you're part of a team that values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment. We offer competitive benefits to ensure the health and well-being of our employees and their families. These benefits include health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off, alongside unique perks like professional development and diversity training programs.

Innovation and Leadership

Drive innovation and industry leadership as part of the Caterpillar team. We empower our employees to lead from their first day on the job, encouraging continuous improvement and career advancement. At Caterpillar, your ideas will shape the future of our business and the industries we serve.

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Prepare for Your Interview

Make a great first impression. Prepare for your interview at Caterpillar by reviewing common questions and practicing your responses. Tailor your resume to highlight the experiences and skills that make you the ideal candidate for the position you are applying for. At Caterpillar, Inc., every role offers the chance to make an impact. Come be a part of our team and drive the future of our global industries. Your career at Caterpillar is not just about what you'll accomplish, but how you'll grow and the innovation you'll lead. Join us and build a career that matters.
Learn more about Caterpillar, Inc
Size
107,700 employees
Market Cap
$125.3 billion
Industry
Net Income
$2.9 billion
Founded
1925
5 Year Trend
+5.8%
Revenue
$41.7 billion
NASDAQ

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