Team Lead - Fabrication - 2nd Shift

Caterpillar Inc.; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Day ONE benefits

Weekly pay

Quarterly bonus

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Little Rock, AR, seeks a Fabrication Team Lead to guide a production team across Fabrication, Machining, and Paint. You will lead daily operations, ensure safety, quality, velocity, and cost targets, and manage material readiness and workflow.

Strong leadership and problem-solving skills are essential. The role requires prior team leadership experience, knowledge of welding or machining, and proficiency in MES, AQE, SAP, and Office 365.

Qualifications

• Resume REQUIRED
• Good business sense
• Continuous improvement mindset, results driven
• Strong Communication skills and ability to build positive working relationships
• Decision-making ability in fast paced environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent analytical skills
• Strong Quality mindset
• Leadership experience in team lead or training
• Experience in welding or machining
• Proficiency in MES, AQE, SAP and Microsoft Office 365 Suite or equivalent

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction to a team of employees in all areas of production (Fabrication/Machining/Paint)
• Train and develop employees on the job, focusing on problem solving and cross training
• Mentor employees and give recognition of positive employee contributions
• Respond to Andon notifications and coordinate appropriate responses to safety, quality, and production velocity issues
• Maintain manpower utilization through scheduling and assigning employees to appropriate work areas
• Prepare daily & weekly metrics for boards
• Preparing for and participating in governance meetings (SIRT, VOCC, etc.)
• Assist with small business team meetings
• Identify and resolve in process issues such as safety incidents, quality defects, production velocity, equipment, fixture, tool, or process failures
• Coordinate issue generation and drive root cause through governing PQVC processes
• Support the Continuous Improvement process for all departments
• Responsible for Built in Quality (BIQ) feedback loop and All Quality Event (AQE) closures
• Responsible for 5S conformance
• Responsible for standard work auditing and conformance
• Cover absenteeism in key areas when necessary, including machining operations.
• Provide production support on high burden builds, NPI and rework

Skills

Team leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Continuous improvement

Decision making

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Quality mindset

Leadership experience

Welding / Machining experience

MES / AQE / SAP

Microsoft Office 365

Tools

MES

AQE

SAP

Microsoft Office 365

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

Operations

Your Work Shapes Our World

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. Join us.

Want to build YOUR career?! LOOK at Caterpillar! We are looking for candidates just like you that want to build more than machines.

Description

As a Fabrication Team Lead, you will assist the Section Manager, or in their absence, provide day-to-day leadership off assigned team to ensure the team safely and efficiently performs the activities related to the assembly of Caterpillar Motor Graders and Medium Wheel Loaders. To serve as a working team leader in all areas, leading and supporting both team members and supervisors to achieve excellence in Safety, Quality, Velocity, and Cost (PQVC). Will assign work and instruct co-workers on safe and proper operation of equipment. Will assure the availability of materials and tools necessary to complete work, as well as maintaining records, reports, and data relating to such work. May assist in setting up machines or other equipment to prevent delays or to address quality problems. May perform any variety of operations to maintain efficient product flow. Requires leadership and organizational skills, above average communication skills and the ability to promote a team atmosphere.

In This Role, You Will

• Provide leadership and direction to a team of employees in all areas of production (Fabrication/Machining/Paint)
• Train and develop employees on the job, focusing on problem solving and cross training
• Mentor employees and give recognition of positive employee contributions
• Respond to Andon notifications and coordinate appropriate responses to safety, quality, and production velocity issues
• Maintain manpower utilization through scheduling and assigning employees to appropriate work areas
• Prepare daily & weekly metrics for boards
• Preparing for and participating in governance meetings (SIRT, VOCC, etc.)
• Assist with small business team meetings
• Identify and resolve in process issues such as safety incidents, quality defects, production velocity, equipment, fixture, tool, or process failures
• Coordinate issue generation and drive root cause through governing PQVC processes
• Support the Continuous Improvement process for all departments
• Responsible for Built in Quality (BIQ) feedback loop and All Quality Event (AQE) closures
• Responsible for 5S conformance
• Responsible for standard work auditing and conformance
• Cover absenteeism in key areas when necessary, including machining operations.
• Provide production support on high burden builds, NPI and rework

Basic Qualifications

• Resume REQUIRED
• Good business sense
• Continuous improvement mindset, results driven
• Strong Communication skills and a demonstrated ability to build positive working relationships with coworkers and customers
• Demonstrates decision-making ability in fast paced environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent analytical skills
• Strong Quality mindset

Top candidates will also have

• Previous team lead or training experience
• Leadership experience in a professional or other setting
• Experience in job related fields such as welding, machining.
• Computer literacy with proficiency in MES, AQE, SAP and Microsoft Office 365 Suite or equivalent

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 25lbs regularly
• Ability to wear personal protective gear correctly while on the shop floor
• Ability to climb up and down stairs, platforms, and ladders on an occasional basis
• Ability to sit, kneel, squat, or twist regularly
• Ability to constantly stand and walk on concrete floors throughout the shift

Additional Information

• Second shift, you’ll receive a starting pay of $25.75 per hour.
• Overtime is available, based on business need.
• Second shift differential pay
• You’ll have the opportunity for pay increases annually based on performance.
• You’ll have the opportunity for a quarterly bonus.

Other Considerations

• 2nd Shift – Full Time
• 3pm – 11PM, Monday through Friday
• Overtime could range from 3PM – 1AM or 3PM – 3AM as business conditions dictate
• Saturday overtime production hours are from 1PM – 9PM as business conditions dictate

What You Will Get

Our goal at Caterpillar is for YOU to have a rewarding career. Here you earn more than just an hourly wage because we value your performance, we offer a total rewards package that provides Day ONE benefits (medical, dental, vision, RX, and 401K), weekly pay, and the potential of a quarterly bonus. Additional benefits include paid holidays and paid time off (prorated based upon hire date).

Final details

Resumes are required. Please do not submit a blank application (no work history or resume attached) as this may lead to disqualification. Please frequently check the email associated with your application, including the junk/spam folder, as this is the primary correspondence method. If you wish to know the status of your application – please use the candidate log‑in Be sure to keep your username and password when you initially apply on our career website as it will reflect any updates to your status. 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

About Caterpillar

Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For nearly 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.

Summary Pay Range

$25.75 - $32.95

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

Posting Dates

October 19, 2026 - October 25, 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.