Factory Manager

Caterpillar Inc.; Desford; On-site; GBP 79,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days leave

Car Allowance

Private Medical

20% Bonus

Pension Scheme

Share Scheme

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Factory Manager for the Telehandler line in Desford, Leicestershire. The role leads safety, quality, delivery, cost and people performance, shaping the operation and developing the next generation of leaders.

Expect hands-on leadership in a fast-paced manufacturing setting. The position is full-time, onsite five days a week, with a competitive package including a car allowance, private medical and a bonus scheme.

Qualifications

• Safety culture underpins strong performance and safe workplaces.
• Lean and continuous improvement principles to cut waste and raise efficiency.
• Structured problem solving to identify root causes and sustainable fixes.
• Clear, confident stakeholder communication across levels to stay aligned.
• Developing high-performing teams through coaching, feedback and accountability.
• Planning resources and priorities to meet short/long-term production needs.
• Engaging teams in improvement to deliver repeatable results.

Responsibilities

• Lead Telehandler manufacturing to meet safety, quality, delivery, cost and people goals.
• Grow production leadership and teams via coaching, performance management, and succession planning.
• Drive continuous improvement with structured problem solving and efficient resource use.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain and Quality to align plans.
• Champion safety, lean practices, accountability, and ongoing learning.
• Plan operational activities to meet short and long-term production requirements.

Skills

Safety Driven

Lean Thinking

Problem Solving

Effective Communications

Performance Management

Planning and Organising

Continuous Improvement Mindset

Job description

Job Description

Your 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.

Career Area

Manufacturing

Job Description

Your 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.

The Opportunity

Are you an experienced manufacturing leader looking to make a significant impact? As our Factory Manager - Telehandlers, you'll lead the operation behind one of Caterpillar's flagship product lines, driving performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost and people while developing the next generation of manufacturing leaders. Combining strategic leadership with operational excellence, you'll help shape the future direction of the operation and deliver products trusted by customers around the world.

What You Will Do

As a Facility Manager, you are accountable for, but not limited to:

• Leading the Telehandler manufacturing operation to achieve safety, quality, delivery, cost and people objectives while ensuring compliance with Caterpillar standards, policies and regulatory requirements.
• Developing and leading production leaders and teams within the Telehandler operation, building capability through coaching, performance management, succession planning and talent development.
• Driving operational excellence through continuous improvement initiatives, structured problem solving and the effective deployment of manufacturing resources.
• Collaborating with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain and Quality partners to ensure Telehandler production plans, customer requirements and operational objectives are delivered successfully.
• Championing a culture of safety, lean operational practices, accountability and engagement, ensuring a safe working environment while promoting employee involvement and continuous learning.
• Leading operational planning activities for the Telehandler value stream, ensuring people, resources, equipment and processes are aligned to meet short and long-term production requirements.
  
  

NB. The panel cannot make assumptions when shortlisting therefore please demonstrate your qualifications and experience on your CV relevant to the criteria outlined.

What You Can Demonstrate

• Safety Driven: Understands that safety underpins strong operational performance. Leads by example, reinforces safe behaviours and creates an environment where people feel able to raise concerns and contribute to a safe workplace.
• Lean Thinking and Operational Excellence: Applies Lean principles and continuous improvement methodologies to identify and eliminate waste, optimise processes and improve operational performance. Uses data-driven analysis, visual management and problem-solving tools to increase efficiency, enhance quality and deliver sustainable business improvements through team engagement and empowerment.
• Problem Solving: Leads the resolution of operational and organisational challenges using structured problem-solving techniques. Analyses information, identifies root causes and implements sustainable solutions that improve performance and business outcomes.
• Effective Communications: Communicates clearly and confidently with stakeholders at all levels, adapting messages to the audience and ensuring teams remain aligned to business priorities, objectives and operational goals.
• Performance Management: Leads and develops high-performing teams by setting clear expectations, building capability, promoting accountability and providing coaching, feedback and recognition. Creates an engaged culture that supports individual growth and delivers strong operational performance.
• Planning and Organising: Plans and coordinates people, resources and priorities to achieve operational objectives. Manages competing demands, anticipates risks and ensures plans are executed to deliver safe, efficient and reliable operations.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: Identifies opportunities to improve processes, reduce waste and enhance operational performance. Engages teams in problem solving, removes barriers and applies structured improvement methods to deliver sustainable results.
  
  

What You May Have

• Operational Leadership: Provides clear leadership and direction within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Maintains focus on safety, quality, delivery, cost and people objectives while making sound operational decisions and responding effectively to changing priorities.
  
  

Pending the number of applications, the criteria for the position may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting.

Job Title: Factory Manager

Salary: £79,400 - £99,000 depending on experience

Location: Desford, Leicestershire – 5 days onsite presence

Contract: Full time & permanent

Benefits: 27 days annual leave + bank holidays, opportunity to buy additional holiday, Car Allowance £650pm, Private Medical, 20% bonus, contributory pension scheme - Caterpillar will double the employee's contribution up to 10%, contributory share scheme - Caterpillar will match 50% of the employee's contribution, Employee Support Networks – join groups that offer support, connection, and a sense of community, optional flexible benefits including access to private health and dental care plans, EV car lease etc.

Travel: up to 10% to include global

What You Will Get

One Company, Limitless Opportunities

Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. We do business on every continent, principally operating through three primary segments – Construction Industries, Resource Industries, and Energy & Transportation – and providing financing and related services through our Financial Products segment.

Careers at Caterpillar are limitless, we have opportunities in Engineering, Human Resources, Manufacturing, Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain and so much more. You can create the career you want. It’s your time and talent, make it count.

Our Sustainability Commitment

Caterpillar has a long-standing commitment to sustainability, one of our five Values in Action. It is part of who we are and what we do. We actively lead sustainable green initiatives to preserve the environment, help reduce poverty with the Caterpillar Foundation and stay involved in the communities we help build.

Just a quick heads-up: We start reviewing applications as soon as they come in, so if you’re interested, don’t wait too long! We may close the advert early if we feel we’ve got a strong pool of potentially suitable applicants.

Don’t miss out, get your application in soon!

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Posting Dates

August 10, 2026 - August 23, 2026

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply

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