Manager Production

Socket.dev; Pontiac (IL); On-site; USD 98,000 - 146,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Bonus eligible

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Paid time off

401(k) savings plan

HSA

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a 1st Shift Production Manager for the Fuel Systems Operations in Pontiac, IL. You will lead up to 30 technicians across Machining, Assembly, and Test, directing daily activities, coordinating teams, and ensuring safety while driving budgeted value streams and staffing plans.

The role emphasizes problem solving, performance management, and continuous improvement as you own schedules, resources, and relationships to meet SPQVC goals on a dynamic production floor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Knowledge of machining processes, including lathe, milling, and grinding operations.
• Knowledge of mechanical assembly processes and practices.
• Previous manufacturing experience.
• Previous leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Create reports and records of production processes, tools issues performance, and inventory; share them with managers and provide suggestions to improve safety, productivity and quality.
• Prepare, maintain, and update documentation related to operating procedures and safety and quality standards; ensure all processes and products meet desired safety and quality standards.
• Supervise and direct the daily activities of production lines workers, assign tasks, ensure coordination between different teams, ensure their safety and monitor their performance.
• Train new hires, manage scheduling and work conflicts, monitor safety, and promote internal communication to create a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

Skills

Problem Solving

Performance Management

Analytical Thinking

Decision Making

Planning & Organizing

Communication

Attention to Detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree

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.

Role Definition:

We are looking for an organized, self-starting leader to join our team as a 1st Shift Production Manager at LPSD's Fuel Systems Operations in Pontiac, IL. This role is accountable for providing daily direction and organizational leadership for hourly associates in Machining, Assembly, and Test value streams. As a production manager in this role, you will be leading a group of up to 30 machining, assembly, and test technicians to drive improvements in a very dynamic and exciting work environment. You will oversee and coordinate the activities of a more complex production line, prepare schedules, resolve issues, and ensure adherence to safety and quality standards. This role will help to own value stream budgets, resource allocation, staffing strategies and relentless pursuit of our SPQVC excellence.

What You Will Do:

• Create reports and records of production processes, tools issues performance, and inventory; share them with managers and provide suggestions to improve safety, productivity and quality.
• Prepare, maintain, and update documentation related to operating procedures and safety and quality standards; ensure all processes and products meet desired safety and quality standards.
• Supervise and direct the daily activities of production lines workers, assign tasks, ensure coordination between different teams, ensure their safety and monitor their performance.
• Train new hires, manage scheduling and work conflicts, monitor safety, and promote internal communication to create a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

What Skills You 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue and determining its significance.
• Makes a systematic comparison of two or more alternative solutions.
• Uses flow charts, Pareto charts, fish diagrams, etc. to disclose meaningful data patterns.
• Identifies the major forces, events, and people impacting and impacted by the situation at hand.
• Uses logic and intuition to make inferences about the meaning of the data and arrive at conclusions.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision.

• Accurately gauges the impact and cost of errors, omissions, and oversights.
• Utilizes specific approaches and tools for checking and cross-checking outputs.
• Processes limited amounts of detailed information with good accuracy.
• Learns from mistakes and applies lessons learned.
• Develops and uses checklists to ensure that information goes out error-free.

Top Candidates May Have:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Knowledge of machining processes, including lathe, milling, and grinding operations.
• Knowledge of mechanical assembly processes and practices.
• Previous manufacturing experience.
• Previous leadership experience.

Additional Information:

• 1st shift: Monday – Friday 7:00AM – 3:00PM, with OT as needed.
• This position requires the selected candidate to work on-site five days a week in the Pontiac, IL facility.
• Domestic relocation assistance is available for this position.
• Visa sponsorship is NOT available.
• Please ensure you frequently sign in to your Candidate Home for any updates or correspondence for positions that you have applied for: https://cat.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/CaterpillarCareers

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Summary Pay Range:

$97,530.00 - $146,290.00

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:

September 18, 2026 - October 2, 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.

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