Senior Production Manager
Listed on 2026-01-19
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Manufacturing / Production
Production Manager, Manufacturing Engineer, Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma
Career Area
Manufacturing
Job DescriptionYour Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.
When you join Caterpillar, you’re joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don’t just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live.
Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.
Lafayette, Indiana
Relocation Assistance AvailableThe Large Power Systems Division located in Lafayette, IN has an opening for a Senior Manager Production
. This position is responsible for leading day-to-day operations for four to five value streams in a manufacturing environment to ensure the safe maximization of efficiency in quality, velocity, and cost. This position initiates corrective actions to overcome impediments causing delays.
- Monitor and improve safety on the shop floor; eliminate any unsafe operations/behaviors and ensure a safe and clean production environment.
- Ensure processes are followed to meet quality standards. Monitor quality metrics and intervene when necessary.
- Contribute to the total manufacturing effort by directing and controlling several operations from manufacturing, assembly, and shipping of machined components. Ensure production schedules can be met in a Lean Manufacturing environment to satisfy assembly line and parts schedule requirements. Initiate action to prevent manufacturing and assembly line shutdowns by authorizing overtime and informing maintenance or machine repair personnel of priorities, alerting Planning or Tooling to manufacturing process changes, etc.
- Strive to maintain high performance while minimizing costs. Analyze burden and efficiency data to isolate problems and improve performance and costs. Perform on‑going evaluation of workloads and assist Section Managers in solving problems related to safety, quality, work effort, company policy, cost drivers and general overall engagement.
- Develop detailed near‑term and long‑term production plans. Create cost control targets for assigned area and offer constructive recommendations on the selection and promotion of personnel to fill openings.
- Own STOP, Lean/CPS and BIQ initiatives, making sure established processes are followed, improvements are investigated, worked, and implemented, best practices are established, and roadblocks are eliminated.
- Initiate and conduct process improvement dialogs with Section Managers, Team Leads and Team Members. Drive root cause analysis and utilize ICA’s and PCA’s resolution on all forms of loss, i.e., safety, quality, production.
This position will be responsible for a 3‑Shift operation and has direct responsibility for 1st Shift operations
. Coordination of material, equipment, manpower and quality rests with this position as well as meeting schedule requirements. Work direction, problem solving and coordination with support departments is a major responsibility.
- Four‑year college degree in a field related to Engineering, Business, or Manufacturing and strong leadership experience desired.
- Prior 6 Sigma experience in manufacturing is highly desirable.
- Direct manufacturing leadership experience.
- Should possess effective motivational skills, a high degree of initiative and a strong client/customer focus as demonstrated with prior leadership of teams in a manufacturing environment.
- Production scheduling experience.
- Experience in both direct Operations and Operational support roles (Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Facilities/Maintenance).
- Experience in a variety of Staff and Supervisory positions in Manufacturing Operations to gain good understanding of CPS processes and tools, machining, fabrication, and assembly operations along with a good knowledge of component products.
- Thorough knowledge through prior experience of machine shop operations, equipment, and processes plus familiarity with materials and quality objectives.
- Must be an effective communicator with strong leadership and…
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