Senior Manager Manufacturing Operations

Caterpillar Inc.; Wimborne Minster; On-site; GBP 99,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

8 Bank Holidays

Bonus up to 31%

Private medical

Equity share plan

Car allowance

Pension matching

Share scheme

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Caterpillar Marine Power UK Ltd in Wimborne seeks a Senior Manager Manufacturing Operations to oversee daily plant operations, including production, maintenance, safety and compliance, for cost-effective, high-quality output in a safe environment.

You will drive process improvements, develop production schedules, and mentor staff while aligning with company goals. The role offers a generous package with car allowance, bonus potential, pension and equity plans.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience required or preferred.
• Experience leading manufacturing operations and teams.
• Knowledge of quality management and continuous improvement.
• Strong performance management and coaching skills.
• Strategic thinking to align operations with business goals.
• Excellent planning and organizational capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily plant operations including production, maintenance, engineering support, safety and compliance.
• Lead performance management, training and development of personnel.
• Develop and continually improve operating methods, equipment and systems.
• Create production schedules to meet internal goals and customer expectations.

Skills

Influencing

Manufacturing Ops

Quality Mgmt

Performance Mgmt

Strategic Thinking

Planning & Organizing

Education

Degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Career Area:

Manufacturing

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.

Job Title: Senior Manager Manufacturing Operations

Salary: £99,300 to 124,000 (depending on experience)

Location: Wimborne

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave plus 8 Bank Holidays plus an option to purchase additional leave
• Up to 31% Bonus
• Private medical included
• Yearly equity share plan
• Monthly car allowance £725
• 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.
• Optional flexible benefits including access to health and dental care plans, EV car lease, holiday purchase.

About Us:

Caterpillar Marine Power UK Ltd is located on the outskirts of Wimborne on the Ferndown and Uddens Business Improvement District. Positioned centrally along the south coast, it is located close to national and international transport links.

With approximately 130 members of staff, there is a long and distinguished history spanning over 50 years of manufacturing marine propulsion and auxiliary engines under the Cat® and Perkins Marine® brands. Genset packages ranging from 1.5 Litre to 7.1 Litre and 7.1 Litre propulsion engines are produced at the Wimborne site.

The facility employs a wealth of hugely experienced designers, engineers and technicians used to providing solutions for commercial, pleasure, and military customers. From the design, testing and building, each engine is proven before leaving the premises to ensure the best performance for the end-user.

The Opportunity:

Oversees and directs daily plant operations including production and manufacturing, maintenance, engineering support, safety, regulatory compliance, distribution and warehousing.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who thrives on leading, managing, and supports projects related to process and site improvements.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Overseeing programs and practices for hiring, performance management and developing/training the personnel that perform and support the plant operating functions.
• Directing all aspects of manufacturing operations for the plant or facility in order to produce cost-effective, timely and high quality products in a safe, secure and sanitary working environment.
• Managing development, implementation and continual improvement of the operating methods, equipment, systems and other operating infrastructure used to realize operating goals and objectives.
• Directing development of production work schedules to meet internal goals and customer expectations; monitoring process and personnel performance of scheduled work activities to remove operating impediments and achieve established operating goals.

What We’re Looking For:

Degree or equivalent experience desired

Skill Descriptors:

Influencing:

Level Extensive Knowledge:

• Achieves influence and impact even when holding a position contrary to the majority.
• Discards examples of persuasive arguments lacking substance or impact.
• Leads and presents collaborative assessments that persuasively influence decision makers.
• Advises on techniques to build rapport and commitment to common purpose.
• Determines and leverages the decision-making style of the individual or group being influenced.
• Delivers well-received presentations of cost, benefits, risks, and other considerations.

Manufacturing Operations:

Knowledge of manufacturing operations; ability to perform day-to-day operations of a manufacturing plant or facility for products.

Level Expert Knowledge:

• Builds a monitoring system to track manufacturing operation activities.
• Sets and oversees all operational routines for departments and staff.
• Oversees proper safety and security procedures to ensure accreditation approval.
• Designs strategies to minimize machinery problems and safety risks within the organization.
• Develops plans for movement of products through lines to processing, storage, and shipping units.
• Leads discussions on the history and evolution of manufacturing plants and associated services and functions.

Quality Management:

Knowledge of quality management methods, tools, and techniques and ability to create and support an environment that meets the quality goals of the organization.

Level Extensive Knowledge:

• Interprets results of quantitative and statistical tools and explains results to others.
• Develops programs for motivating employees to meet or exceed quality goals.
• Communicates key benefits of a quality management process.
• Conducts and directs quality reviews.
• Develops expertise in quality assurance tools, techniques, and standards.
• Develops quality assurance processes based on Six Sigma, ISO 9000 or Baldrige principles.

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.

Level Extensive Knowledge:

• 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 recognises and rewards top performers.

Strategic Thinking:

Knowledge of the importance of "big picture" thinking and planning; ability to apply organizational acumen and competitiveness to identify and maintain focus on key success factors for the organization.

Level Extensive Knowledge:

• Directs strategic alliances and partnerships for mutual benefit.
• Makes sound business decisions on behalf of the group when faced with complex and contradictory alternatives.
• Builds the strategic thinking capability of the group.
• Interprets available data and analyses when creating business plans.
• Recommends ways to position the organization for long-term competitiveness.
• Prepares the group’s response to key marketplace trends, opportunities, and vulnerabilities.

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.

Level Extensive Knowledge:

• 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.

What You Will Get :

We look forward to welcoming the successful candidate to our dynamic, diverse and friendly team. We have a culture of openness, autonomy, support, personal development as well as a continuous drive for improvement.

About Caterpillar

Caterpillar Inc. 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. For 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.

NB. The panel cannot make assumptions when shortlisting therefore please demonstrate your qualifications and experience on your CV relevant to the criteria outlined. Pending the number of applications, the criteria for the position may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting. #LI

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Posting Dates:

September 21, 2026 - October 5, 2026

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