Manager Production

Solar Turbines Incorporated; Gardena (CA); On-site; USD 89,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) savings plans

Paid time off

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Production Manager to lead hourly gear manufacturing teams, directing daily operations and coordinating with engineering and quality. The role emphasizes shop floor execution, safety, and continuous improvement to meet production targets.

The ideal candidate guides machining processes, analyzes workflow, and supports modernization initiatives on 2nd shift, with escalation to the Unit Manager as needed.

Qualifications

• Experience leading hourly employees in a machining or gear manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of gear manufacturing processes (hobbing, shaping, grinding, inspection).
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and quality requirements.
• Proven leadership, communication, and team development skills.
• Experience driving continuous improvement and shop floor execution.
• Proficient using Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook and Teams.

Responsibilities

• Supervising daily operations within gear manufacturing cells, including gear cutting and gear grinding areas
• Ensuring adherence to process standards, work instructions, and quality requirements (e.g., gear pitch, profile, and lead tolerances)
• Driving schedule execution while managing constraints such as machine downtime, tooling availability, and material shortages
• Supporting cross-training and development of machinists across multiple gear processes
• Monitoring productivity, efficiency, and utilization to meet area and unit performance goals
• Leading problem-solving efforts related to scrap, rework, and process deviations
• Enforcing safety standards, 5S practices, and company policies

Skills

Team leadership

Gear manufacturing

Reading engineering drawings

Communication

Continuous improvement

Microsoft Excel

Shift readiness

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Teams

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.

About the Role:

The Production Manager leads hourly employees within a gear manufacturing environment, providing day-to-day direction while receiving technical and engineering support from the Value Stream Manager as needed. This role is responsible for driving shop floor execution, supporting modernization initiatives, and reinforcing team-based manufacturing practices. The position may support second or third shift operations with limited immediate supervision.

The Production Manager directs and coordinates the activities of approximately 10 to 30 hourly employees to ensure production, quality, and engineering requirements are achieved in alignment with safety, cost, efficiency, and schedule targets.

Hourly employees reporting to this role are engaged in gear manufacturing processes including, but not limited to: gear hobbing, shaping, and grinding; CNC machining; part setup and verification; in-process inspection; deburring; and final inspection activities. Additional responsibilities include material handling, tooling control, and support of overall shop operations.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supervising daily operations within gear manufacturing cells, including gear cutting and gear grinding areas
• Ensuring adherence to process standards, work instructions, and quality requirements (e.g., gear pitch, profile, and lead tolerances)
• Driving schedule execution while managing constraints such as machine downtime, tooling availability, and material shortages
• Supporting cross-training and development of machinists across multiple gear processes
• Monitoring productivity, efficiency, and utilization to meet area and unit performance goals
• Leading problem-solving efforts related to scrap, rework, and process deviations
• Enforcing safety standards, 5S practices, and company policies

The Production Manager operates in a dynamic production environment, balancing short lead times, changing priorities, and operational challenges such as equipment issues, staffing gaps, and shifting customer demand. This role functions as a coach and leader, fostering accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement across the shop floor.

The position requires coordination across multiple functional areas, including engineering, quality, maintenance, and production control. The supervisor is responsible for assigning work, addressing employee relations matters, and ensuring compliance with company policies and labor agreements.

A key challenge in this role is effectively resolving problems and conflicts while maintaining production flow and meeting performance expectations. Decisions impacting schedules, cost, or product quality are escalated to the Unit Manager as appropriate.

Qualifications:

• Experience leading hourly employees in a machining or gear manufacturing environment
• Strong understanding of gear manufacturing processes (hobbing, shaping, grinding, inspection)
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and quality requirements
• Proven leadership, communication, and team development skills
• Experience driving continuous improvement and shop floor execution
• Proficient using Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook and Teams
• Must be able to work 2nd shift

This role requires a hands‑on leader capable of organizing teams, managing production priorities, and delivering results in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.

For any position that will require you to work two or more hours per week on average within the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, please note that the Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

_ Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. This employer is not currently hiring foreign national applicants that require or will require sponsorship tied to a specific employer, such as, H, L, TN, F, J, E, O. As a global company, Caterpillar offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S which can be found through our employment website at _ www.caterpillar.com/careers. _

Summary Pay Range:

$89,210.00 - $133,810.00

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.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates:

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.