1st Shift Production Manager

Caterpillar Brazil; Waco (TX); Hybrid; USD 89,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) savings plans

Paid time off plan

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Incentive bonus

Career Development

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a 1st Shift Production Manager to lead manufacturing operations and drive safety, quality and efficiency on the shop floor in Waco, TX.

You will plan workloads with production management, supervise hourly staff, and implement 5S/Lean initiatives while ensuring compliance with Caterpillar's quality policies and cost targets. Overtime and shift flexibility required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or 5+ years of job-related experience in lieu of a degree.
• 3–4 years of shop floor experience and mechanical aptitude.
• 3–4 years of experience in strategic planning.
• Proficient with all Microsoft Office products.
• Willing to work outside normal hours including overtime and alternate shifts.
• Relocate to the Waco, TX area; relocation assistance not available.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and improve safety on the shop floor and ensure a safe, clean environment.
• Determine processing needs to provide fixtures, tooling and methods to meet schedules.
• Plan facility workload daily with production management and prioritize work.
• Decide overtime needs and priorities when resources are insufficient.
• Improve processes and reduce costs by eliminating non-value-added activities.
• Ensure product quality and conformance to Caterpillar Quality Policy.
• Ensure timely ordering and distribution of parts and materials.
• Lead training and development of staff and supervise hourly employees.
• Adhere to standards, policies and practices including 5S, Lean, CQMS/ISO.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Caterpillar management.

Skills

Strategic planning

Shop floor experience

Mechanical aptitude

Interpersonal skills

Staff supervision

Overtime willingness

Relocation to Waco

Education

Bachelor's degree

5+ years of related experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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. 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

• 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.

Candidate Skills and Qualifications

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.

Pay Range

Summary Pay Range: $89,210.00 - $133,810.00

Benefits

• Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines.
• 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 *

Posting Dates

September 4, 2026 - September 17, 2026

Equal Opportunity Employer

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.

Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

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

Company Culture

There’s more to work at Caterpillar than just the work itself. We hire smart, friendly people and it shows in our culture. We hold ourselves to high standards and make sure our values of integrity, excellence, teamwork, commitment and sustainability come to life in the way we work. We make sure our employees feel continuously challenged while also supported. We provide professional growth opportunities, including leadership programs. We celebrate the diversity of our team, while also working together as one Caterpillar. Our culture, like everything at our company, is made possible by each employee’s contribution. Person by person, we create the environment we work in, and we are proud of the Caterpillar we’ve built.