Caterpillar, Inc

Senior Production Manager - Process Maintenance

Caterpillar, Inc$128K — $192K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Degree or equivalent experience desired
  • 5+ years of production management experience
  • Deep understanding of safety compliance and OSHA regulations
  • Proven track record in performance management and team leadership
  • Experience in lean manufacturing and continuous improvement practices
  • Strong analytical skills for data-driven decision making
  • Ability to influence and communicate effectively at all organizational levels

Responsibilities

  • Lead day-to-day operations of process maintenance across all shifts
  • Develop staffing strategies and build effective management teams
  • Enhance performance management practices for operational teams
  • Implement safety, cost, and quality control mechanisms
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines and safe working conditions
  • Facilitate root-cause analysis to enhance operational efficiency
  • Communicate and align priorities across various functions

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits
  • Paid time off (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer)
  • 401(k) savings plans
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Health Lifestyle Programs
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Career Development opportunities
  • Incentive bonus
  • Life Insurance
  • Parental leave
  • Tuition Reimbursement
Full Job Description
Career Area:
Manufacturing

Job Description:

Senior Production Manager - Process Maintenance

Primary Location: Decatur, IL
Travel: Up to 5%
Relocation Assistance: Available
Visa Sponsorship: Not Available

Job Summary

As a Senior Production Manager in Decatur, Illinois, you will lead the day-to-day operations across all shifts for process maintenance on production machine tools for the entire facility ensuring a safe, compliant, and high-performing operation. In this senior manufacturing leadership role, you'll build and develop strong frontline leadership teams, drive schedule attainment, and strengthen production safety, cost, and quality control mechanisms through data-driven decision making and structured problem solving.

Key Responsibilities
  • Lead process maintenance support across all shifts and directly manage a team of front-line maintenance managers
  • Own staffing strategy for operations teams; hire, coach, motivate, and develop a strong management and supervisory bench.
  • Drive performance management practices (goal setting, feedback, recognition, and improvement plans) to elevate results and engagement.
  • Monitor overall maintenance performance and implement production safety, cost, and quality control mechanisms that reduce risk and improve throughput.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory guidelines and maintain a safe, sound manufacturing environment.
  • Lead structured problem solving and root-cause analysis to remove barriers and prevent recurrence (quality, safety, delivery, cost).
  • Communicate clearly upward, downward, and cross-functionally to align priorities, influence decisions, and sustain execution discipline.


Required Skills
  • Production Training: Ability to assess skill gaps, develop training programs, and ensure safe/efficient operation of production machinery; validate training impact using pre-/post-performance metrics.
  • Performance Management: Strength in setting expectations, delivering continuous feedback, recognizing achievement, and driving measurable improvement across teams.
  • Effective Communications: Ability to tailor communication by audience, coach others' written/oral messaging, and lead with empathy and assertiveness across levels.
  • Problem Solving: Skilled in diagnosing operational/process problems, evaluating options, assessing risks/benefits, and using fact-finding/diagnostic tools.
  • Analytical Thinking: Ability to define problems, compare alternatives, identify meaningful data patterns (e.g., Pareto), and draw sound conclusions.
  • Influencing: Capable of building persuasive arguments, identifying decision makers, and shaping outcomes through active listening and strategic messaging.
  • Planning & Organizing: Anticipate bottlenecks, manage competing priorities, and execute action plans that reliably deliver commitments.
  • Flexibility & Adaptability: Comfortable leading through change; adjusts quickly across shifting priorities, processes, and people.
  • Education:Degree or equivalent experience desired.


Preferred Skills
  • Previous maintenance management experience in complex manufacturing environment
  • Trained with OSHA standards and compliance regulations
  • Lean manufacturing / continuous improvement leadership (Kaizen, daily management systems, visual management)
  • Safety leadership experience in high-risk manufacturing environments; strong EHS mindset
  • Quality systems familiarity (audit readiness, layered process audits, defect reduction, control plans)
  • Experience leading leaders (manager-of-managers), multi-shift operations, and complex staffing models
  • Strong production KPI ownership (safety, quality, delivery, cost, OEE/throughput, scrap/rework)
  • Cross-functional partnership with operations, quality, engineering, materials, and supply chain teams


Summary Pay Range:

$128,470.00 - $192,710.00

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:
July 13, 2026 - July 19, 2026

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.

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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.

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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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