Senior Manager Production - 3rd Shift

Caterpillar Inc.; Pontiac (IL); On-site; USD 113,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) savings plans

Relocation assistance

Paid time off plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Pontiac, IL is seeking a Senior Manager Production to lead a team of machinists and assembly technicians in a fast-paced manufacturing environment focused on safety, quality, and operational excellence at the Pontiac Fuel Systems facility.

You will own the value stream performance, budget, and staffing strategy, driving continuous improvement through disciplined execution of SPQVC initiatives, with a strong emphasis on coaching, performance management, and effective

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience leading manufacturing operations teams focused on safety, quality, and operational excellence.
• Budget ownership, resource planning, and staffing strategy experience.
• Experience driving continuous improvement via disciplined execution of SPQVC initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Managing staffing, development, and performance management programs for operations staff; managing, motivating, and developing management team.
• Overseeing operations activities, ensuring safety, schedules and performance requirements are met.
• Monitoring overall operations performance and implementing production safety, cost, and quality control mechanisms.
• Ensures compliance with regulatory guidelines for a safe manufacturing environment.

Skills

Production Training

Problem Solving

Performance Management

Analytical Thinking

Effective Communications

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

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.

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.

Role Definition

As a Senior Manager Production, you will lead a team of machinists and/or assembly technicians in a fast-paced manufacturing environment focused on safety, quality, and operational excellence. Pontiac Fuel Systems produces industry-leading fuel injectors and assemblies for off-highway diesel and dual-fuel applications worldwide. In this role, you will be responsible for value stream performance, including budget ownership, resource planning, staffing strategy, and driving continuous improvement through disciplined execution of SPQVC initiatives.

What You Will Do

• Managing staffing, development, and performance management programs for operations staff; managing, motivating, and developing management team.
• Overseeing operations activities, ensuring that safety, and schedules and performance requirements are met and system resources are used effectively.
• Monitoring overall operations performance and implementing production safety, cost, and quality control mechanisms.
• Ensures the compliance of all regulatory guidelines and forges a safe and sound manufacturing environment.

What Skills You Have

Production Training: Knowledge of approaches, tools and techniques for delivering formal and informal training on the safe and efficient operation of production machinery; ability to conduct effective formal and situation-specific training.

• Conducts needs analysis to determine skill gaps or areas where training is needed.
• Develops training programs on the use of new or improved production machines.
• Directs staff on the set-up and operation of production machinery for custom or nonstandard jobs.
• Evaluates the pros and cons of various training media and the value of each to the organization.
• Facilitates the training of employees on new equipment provided by equipment manufacturers.
• Measures the value of the training program by gathering pre- and post-training performance metrics.

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.
• Regularly presents ideas or suggestions to associates in persuasive terms.

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.

• Gives continuing feedback, recognizes achievement, and recommends improvement.
• Participates in the salary planning and administration process.
• Defines and agrees upon performance goals and objectives with associates.
• Identifies performance problem areas early on and defines specific improvement activities.
• Adjusts and communicates performance objectives as necessary for team objectives.
• Publicly shares accolades and recognizes and rewards top performers.

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.

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.

• Reviews others' writing or presentations and provides feedback and coaching.
• Adapts documents and presentations for the intended audience.
• Demonstrates both empathy and assertiveness when communicating a need or defending a position.
• Communicates well downward, upward, and outward.
• Employs appropriate methods of persuasion when soliciting agreement.
• Maintains focus on the topic at hand.

Top Candidates May Have

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Additional Information

• This position requires the selected candidate to work on-site five days a week in the Pontiac, IL facility.
• 3rd shift: Sunday – Thursday 11:00PM – 7:00AM, with OT as needed.
• Additional 7% shift differential for 3rd shift.
• Domestic relocation assistance is available.
• VISA sponsorship is not available for this position.

Summary Pay Range

$112,710.00 - $169,060.00

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

• 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 27, 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.