Distribution Production Manager

Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation; Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 81,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off plan

401(k) savings plans

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Career Development

Incentive bonus

Job summary

Caterpillar Lafayette Engine Center in Lafayette, IN is seeking a Distribution Production Manager on 2nd shift to oversee a complex production line, prepare schedules, resolve issues, and ensure safety and quality standards.

You will supervise line workers, train new hires, coordinate between teams, and drive continuous improvement. Domestic relocation assistance is available; this is an onsite role with strong leadership expectations.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of problem solving approaches and tools.
• Ability to apply problem solving to diverse situations.
• Familiarity with risk assessment and decision support.

Responsibilities

• Create reports and records of production processes, issues, performance, and inventory.
• Prepare and update operating procedures and safety/quality documentation.
• Supervise daily activities of production line workers and coordinate teams.
• Train new hires, manage scheduling, monitor safety, promote collaboration.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Decision making

Planning and organizing

Effective communications

Leadership

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 are 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.

Distribution Production Manager

The Large Power Systems Division (LPSD) is part of Caterpillar’s Power & Energy segment. Through this global organization, Caterpillar designs and manufactures large (greater than 18 liters) diesel and natural gas engines, powertrains and key engine systems. LPSD products and solutions support customers across power generation, industrial, marine, oil & gas, rail, services and Cat® machine applications worldwide.

LPSD teams work across regions and function to deliver safe, reliable and compliant solutions that help solve our customers’ toughest challenges.

About LEC (Lafayette Engine Center)

The Lafayette Engine Center (LEC) manufactures the Cat 3500, Cat 3600 and C175 engines helping Caterpillar become the world’s leading manufacturer of off-highway diesel and natural gas engines.

The units built at LEC power mining trucks carrying ore to be processed, tugboats guiding ships to harbor, drill rigs tapping oil and gas reserves and generators bringing electricity to communities, hospitals and data centers

Job Summary

The Lafayette Engine Center in IN, has a 2nd shift Distribution Production Manager role which oversees and coordinates the activities of a more complex production line, prepares schedules, resolves issues, and ensures adherence to safety and quality standards.

What you will do:

• Creating reports and records of production processes, tools issues performance, and inventory; sharing them with managers and providing suggestions to improve safety, productivity and quality.
• Preparing, maintaining, and updating documentation related to operating procedures and safety and quality standards; ensuring all processes and products meet desired safety and quality standards.
• Supervising and directing the daily activities of production lines workers, assigning tasks, ensuring coordination between different teams, ensuring their safety and monitoring their performance.
• Training new hires, managing scheduling and work conflicts, monitoring safety, and promoting internal communication to create a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

Degree Requirement

• Degree or equivalent experience desired

What will put you ahead:

• Good understanding of the Caterpillar organization, products, policies, and procedures.
• A history of delivering results through a series of roles with increasing responsibility.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and inspire a team.
• Previous supervisory or leadership experience.
• Strong analytical ability.
• Strong communication skills.

Additional Information

• This position is Lafayette, IN.
• Domestic relocation assistance is available for this position.
• Candidates must attach an updated resume.

What you will have:

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.

Level Working Knowledge

• Identifies and documents specific problems and resolution alternatives.
• Examines a specific problem and understands the perspective of each involved stakeholder.
• Develops alternative techniques for assessing accuracy and relevance of information.
• Helps to analyze risks and benefits of alternative approaches and obtain decision on resolution.
• Uses fact-finding techniques and diagnostic tools to identify problems.

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 Working Knowledge

• Identifies opportunities to enhance performance, e.g., practice assignments, training, shadowing.
• Ensures performance goals, checkpoints, and feedback focus on behaviors.
• Provides documented input to formal performance review conducted by manager.
• Observes individual performance and provides fair and objective feedback.
• Uses formal and informal rewards and recognition programs for employees.

Analytical Thinking

Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.

Level Basic Understanding

• Names specific tools or techniques that can be used to support the analytical thinking process.
• Describes specific software applications or products used for business analytics.
• Gives examples of how analytical thinking has been used to resolve problems.
• Helps others research and learn more about business analytics tools and applications.

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.

Level Working Knowledge

• Applies an assigned technique for critical thinking in a decision-making process.
• Identifies, obtains, and organizes relevant data and ideas.
• Participates in documenting data, ideas, players, stakeholders, and processes.
• Recognizes, clarifies, and prioritizes concerns.
• Assists in assessing risks, benefits and consideration of alternatives.

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 Working Knowledge

• Raises awareness of potential bottlenecks and disruptions to the schedule.
• Breaks tasks into manageable steps that can be incorporated into a personal work plan.
• Escalates concerns over competing or conflicting priorities.
• Monitors progress continuously and adjusts tactics for handling situations on a case by case basis.
• Creates action plans that ensure the accomplishment of responsibilities.

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.

Level Working Knowledge

• Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors without offending the recipient.
• Listens to feedback without defensiveness and uses it for own communication effectiveness.
• Makes oral presentations and writes reports needed for own work.
• Avoids technical jargon when inappropriate.
• Looks for and considers non-verbal cues from individuals and groups.

This Job Description is intended as a general guide to the job duties for this position and is intended for the purpose of establishing the specific salary grade. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive summary of all responsibilities, duties and effort required of employees assigned to this job. At the discretion of management, this description may be changed at any time to address the evolving needs of the organization. It is expressly not intended to be a comprehensive list of “essential job functions” as that term is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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Summary Pay Range

$81,370.00 - $122,060.00

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.

Benefits

Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of 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

This position requires working onsite five days a week. Relocation is available for this position. Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates:

August 20, 2026 - August 31, 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.