Dir, Operations

Progress Rail, A Caterpillar Company; Albertville (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

401(k) with company match

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

Paid Vacation

Paid Holidays

PTO

Education Assistance Program

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Progress Rail in Albertville, AL seeks an experienced Operations leader to oversee day-to-day manufacturing in one or more facilities, drive production targets, manage costs, and coordinate with quality, engineering and supply chain to maximize profitability.

The role requires strong executive leadership, Lean manufacturing expertise, and a track record of delivering performance improvements in a complex, low-volume environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with broad cross-functional exposure across engineering, production, scheduling, and quality control.
• Experience in locomotive or railroad industries is preferred.
• Proven executive-level leadership and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversees manufacturing in one or more facilities and coordinates with multiple teams to solve issues.
• Manages daily shop activities, production targets, and cost control to maximize profits.
• Sets schedules, budgets, and long-term capacity planning with supply chain and accounting.
• Leads performance improvements with engineering, quality, and operations.
• Supervises hiring, discipline, and staff development; ensures safety first.
• Maintains KPI targets and drives customer-focused outcomes.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Lean manufacturing

Financial planning

Scheduling

HR practices

Analytical problem solving

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Tools

Quality tools

Job description

Job Purpose

Oversees all manufacturing in one or more facilities on a day-to-day basis and works with multiple other teams to solve issues and problems as they arise. Responsible for daily shop activities, production, and financial responsibilities. Ensures all production targets are being met and manages costs to maximize profits. Oversees work schedules to ensure correct coverage to execute the needs of customers.

• Other Work

Req ID

12343BR

Work Location Options

Alternative Locations: Waskom, TX; East Chicago, IN.

City

Albertville

State

Alabama

Company Description

Progress Rail stands at the intersection of legacy and innovation—driving the future of rail with a pioneering spirit. Since its founding in 1983, the company has grown to become one of the world’s largest and most trusted providers of railroad products, services, and technologies. Today, Progress Rail delivers a comprehensive portfolio of cost-effective solutions to railway customers around the globe. From the rails themselves to the EMD locomotives that ride them, the company’s products are in operation across more than 100 countries—powering progress and connecting communities. In 2006, Progress Rail joined Caterpillar Inc., further strengthening its ability to lead the rail industry with cutting‑edge technology, unmatched expertise, and a commitment to excellence. At Progress Rail, the team is not just building the future of rail—they are making history every day.

Key Job Elements

• Provides oversight and support for operations in achieving daily/monthly production goals;
• Ensures worker safety is #1 priority by providing reviews, oversight to training plan, equipment, etc.;
• Works with quality, manufacturing, and engineering to drive continuous improvement throughout the facility; provides feedback, input, and approval on new and existing improvement initiatives;
• Monitors daily efficiencies to ensure work allocations are correct and that utilization is maximized;
• Set and execute policies and processes;
• Develops planning for long‑term growth through capacity planning; reviews status of all current and future production orders; collaborates with supply chain management team; assists with purchasing to ensure all parts are available as needed;
• Forecasts and maintains monthly budget; coordinates with accounting team to drive sustained profitability;
• Manages all capital improvement projects;
• Manages hiring, discipline and termination of employees; evaluates employees and gives feedback for improvement; supports successful growth and development of employees;
• Collaborates with engineering and quality departments to ensure all KPI’s and metrics are being met or exceeded; resolves open quality alerts and implements corrective actions;
• Manages sales and customer service; works with customers to identify new sales opportunities;
• Performs additional job‑related duties as assigned.

Education / Training

• Bachelor’s degree with 7+ years of broad experience across multiple business functions, such as engineering, production, scheduling, supply chain, quality control, etc.;
• Locomotive or other Railroad industry experience required.

Qualifications And Experience

• Ability to successfully integrate complex business processes in a low‑volume manufacturing environment;
• Proven executive‑level leadership capabilities required;
• Extremely organized with excellent written and oral communications skills;
• High analytical ability to problem solves at multiple levels;
• Understanding of quality tools used in a manufacturing environment;
• Lean manufacturing experience;
• In‑depth experience with financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, cost control, etc.;
• Understanding of scheduling and manpower planning;
• Understanding of Human Resources practices, i.e., hiring, counseling, payroll, benefits;
• Alternative Locations: Waskom, TX; East Chicago, IN.

Benefits

• Competitive Salary
• 401(k) plan with up to 6% company match (no waiting period with immediate vesting)
• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life/Disability Insurance
• Supplemental Accident, Critical Care, and Hospital Insurance available along with an HDHP and HSA with seed money
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time‑Off (PTO)
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Education Assistance Program
• Employee Recognition Programs
• Site specific Production and Incentive Plans
• Site specific Step and Skill Level Wage Adjustment Plans
• Site Specific Relocation and Sign‑on Bonus Programs
• Benefits eligibility varies by job position, full‑time/part‑time and regular/temporary status. The provisions of the plan documents control such benefits.
• Subject to position, eligibility, and plan guidelines. EEO Progress Rail is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.

Job Category

Production - Operations & Support

PRS Facility Location

Albertville, AL (PRSC Corp HQ) - 001