Production Team Leader (12 months)

Caterpillar Inc.; Desford; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave + bank holidays (

Production Bonus

Private Medical, Health Care, Dental &

Vision scheme and more

Share Scheme (50% Company Matched)

Contributory Pension Scheme (Company 2

Job summary

Caterpillar in Desford, UK is seeking a Production Team Leader to guide an assembly operations team, ensuring safe, timely delivery of quality products and meeting customer deadlines.

You will coach team members, implement lean training, and drive a strong safety culture while coordinating cross-functional improvements. A 12‑month contract with shift-based work and a competitive package is offered.

Qualifications

• Possess a good understanding of assembly operations practices and process.
• Experience of the Manufacturing Quality process, reporting defects and root cause analysis.
• As a team member the ability to work closely with others is imperative, requiring team participation to achieve the agreed goals.
• Self-motivated, with the flexibility to deal with independent and team behaviours, you should be able to motivate and influence others with your advice and experience.
• Strong communication skills both written and verbal to be confident to eradicate behaviours not in line with our company values.
• Highly organised and a keen attention to detail.
• Must be flexible and support extra hours if required and willing to work on a multi shift pattern.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team to meet daily production goals on safety, quality, velocity and cost targets.
• Coach, guide and mentor team members on performance and development.
• Deploy training programs to upskill teams using lean methodologies.
• Foster an inclusive, engaging safety culture.
• Resolve issues and generate ideas using CI to improve quality, effectiveness and safety.
• Audit and drive defect investigations to ensure high quality outputs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive improvements in assembly processes.
• Proactively plan and cover team absences daily.

Skills

Assembly operations

Manufacturing quality

Team collaboration

Self-motivation

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Flexible hours

Education

Six Sigma / Project management

Job description

Career Area:

Operations

Job Description:

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you’rejoining 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’tjust 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.

As a Production Team Leader within Building Construction Products (BCP) assembly, you will lead and motivate an assembly operations team ensuring the safe and efficient delivery of quality products meeting customer order deadlines.

What You Will Do:

As Production Team Leader, your accountabilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Leading the team to meet the daily production goals on safety, quality, velocity and cost targets


• Actively coach, guide and mentor your teams performance and development


• Carry out daily communications and deploy training programs to upskill teams using lean methodologies


• To lead an inclusive, engaging safety culture


• Proactively resolve issues and generate new ideas for your assigned area using the Continuous Improvement (CI) process to improve quality, effectiveness and safety.


• Audit and drive defect investigations to ensure high quality product outputs


• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive improvements within the assembly processes


• Proactively plan and cover team members absences daily

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:

• Possess a good understanding of assembly operations practices and process


• Experience of the Manufacturing Quality process, reporting defects and root cause analysis.


• As a team member the ability to work closely with others is imperative, requiring team participation to achieve the agreed goals


• Self-motivated, with the flexibility to deal with independent and team behaviours, you should be able to motivate and influence others with your advice and experience


• Strong communication skills both written and verbal to be confident to eradicate behaviours not in line with our company values.


• Highly organised and a keen attention to detail


• Must be flexible and support extra hours if required and willing to work on a multi shift pattern

What you may have:

• Previous people development and performance management experience


• 6 Sigma / Project management

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

What You Will Get
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to build on the skills they have by working with a variety of different functional areas, allowing them to develop their understanding of the wider business requirements. Becoming a member of a skilled, diverse and inclusive team that will provide a good foundation for future career development within Caterpillar.

Job Title: Production Team Leader

Salary: £35,247 starting salary + shift allowance

Location: Desford, Leicestershire

Contract: 12 month contract

Shift: 16:30-02:30 Monday to Wednesday 16:30-02:00 Thursday

Benefits : 27 days annual leave + bank holidays – option to buy or sell, Production Bonus, Flexible Buy In Benefits such as Private Medical, Health Care, Dental & Vision scheme and more, Share Scheme (50% Company Matched), Contributory Pension Scheme (Contribution double by Company up to 10%)

Travel : Not required

About BCP

The Building Construction Products (BCP) division team is comprised of more than 9,000 employees—from assemblers and accountants to marketing professionals and engineers—we work in factories, warehouses, and offices all over the world.

We are responsible for the design, manufacturing, marketing and support of Caterpillar’s line of small, versatile construction machines and attachments for the commercial construction, residential construction, specialty trades, landscaping and agriculture industries. Products include small wheel loaders, compact wheel loaders, backhoe loaders, compact track loaders, mini hydraulic excavators, skid steer loaders, telehandlers and small track-type tractors.

CATERPILLAR

Caterpillar is a world leader in construction and mining equipment—creating innovative, cutting-edge products and services that help our customers build the world around us. With that level of impact comes the platform to care for the world, we work in. That’s why we lead sustainable green initiatives to preserve the environment, help reduce poverty with the Caterpillar Foundation and stay involved in the communities we help build.

What will Caterpillar do for you?

From day one, you’re set up to thrive at Caterpillar: helpful training, relatable mentors, global experience, competitive salary package, work-life balance and the growth opportunities you expect with a Fortune 100 company. Your power our success and we are committed to empowering yours. After all, when your work can impact the entire world, it’s important to do work that matters.

Posting Dates:

October 29, 2026 - November 12, 2026

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