1st Shift Production Manager

Caterpillar Inc.; Waco (TX); On-site; USD 89,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off

401(k) savings plans

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Career Development

Incentive bonus

Parental leave

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a 1st Shift Production Manager in the United States (Waco, TX) to lead manufacturing operations, improve processes, and ensure adherence to Caterpillar quality policies.

You will supervise hourly staff, coordinate with management, and drive safety, efficiency, and cost reductions on the shop floor. The role requires strong leadership, safety focus, and ability to implement corporate initiatives like Lean Manufacturing and 6 Sigma.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; 1–3 years of experience preferred.
• Alternative: 5+ years of job-related experience in lieu of a degree.
• 3–4 years of shop floor experience and mechanical aptitude.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
• Willingness to work overtime and alternate shifts.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and improve shop floor safety and maintain a clean production environment.
• Determine processing needs to meet schedules and production requirements.
• Plan workload and priorities with production management to optimize output.
• Oversee overtime decisions and resource prioritization.
• Implement Lean, 5S, CQMS/ISO initiatives and cost-reduction measures.
• Ensure quality and timely ordering/distribution of parts and materials.
• Lead training and development of staff and supervise hourly employees.

Skills

Performance Management

Decision Making

Effective Communications

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

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

Caterpillar has an opening for a 1st Shift Production Manager who will collaborate with the team and maintaining and improving processes and systems and the manufacturing of the products produced in the facility.

Job Duties/Responsibilities May Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Monitor and improve safety on the shop floor; eliminate any unsafe operations and ensure a safe and clean product environment.
• Determines processing needs to assure fixtures, tooling and methods are provided to meet schedules and production requirements.
• Daily tie-in with production management to plan and designate facility workload, priorities and sequence for all work assigned.
• Determines overtime need, determines priorities when resources are insufficient, and decides when disciplinary action is necessary.
• Suggest changes in working conditions and use of equipment to increase efficiency. Works to improve processes, timeliness and reduce costs by eliminating non-value-added activities.
• Ensures the quality of product produced and conforms to Caterpillars Quality Policy while maintaining cost.
• Ensure necessary parts and materials are ordered and distributed in a timely and efficient manner
• Implement various corporate initiatives such as 5S, Lean Manufacturing, 6 Sigma, CQMS/ISO certification, etc.
• Responsible for training and development of staff, time keeping, estimating personnel needs, assigning work, meeting completion dates, and ensuring consistent application of organizational needs.
• The Section Manager will supervise hourly employees.
• Adheres to established standards, policies and practices relating to quality, cost reduction, safety, ergonomics, affirmative action, etc. in performing assigned duties.
• Employee is also responsible for performing other job duties as assigned by Caterpillar management from time to time.

A successful candidate in this role will showcase their skills in:

• 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.
• Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
• Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.
• Problem Solving: Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations.

Top Candidates Will Also Have

• A Bachelors degree and 1-3 years of experience is required for this position.
• OR In lieu of a degree you may have 5+ years of job-related experience.
• Must have 3 - 4 years prior experience in strategic planning.
• Requires at least 3 - 4 years of shop floor experience and have a mechanical aptitude.
• Good human relations skills are required to develop a cooperative work relationship with others inside and outside the department.
• Must be proficient with all Microsoft office products.
• Must be willing to work outside of normal work hours including overtime and alternate shifts.
• May be required to move items weighing up to 35 pounds.
• Must be willing to relocate to the Waco, TX area.

Relocation assistance is not available for this position

Summary Pay Range

$89,210.00 - $133,810.00

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

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates

September 4, 2026 - September 17, 2026

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.