5S Team Lead - 1st Shift

Caterpillar•Sanford, NC

5d•Onsite

About The Position

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. Position Overview The 5S Team Lead is responsible for leading, coordinating, and sustaining 5S efforts across assigned manufacturing/logistics areas. This role supports a clean, safe, efficient, and visually controlled workplace by coaching teams in disciplined work habits, improving workflow, reducing waste, and reinforcing standard work. The Team Lead partners with Section Managers, operations teams, Lean/CI resources, and frontline employees to identify abnormalities, remove barriers, document improvements, and maintain consistent standards across shifts and areas.

Requirements

Effective communication skills and the ability to work in a team-oriented environment.
Strong analytical skills, problem identification skills, and practical problem-solving ability.
Computer literacy with a strong math background.
Ability to multitask, prioritize work, meet deadlines, and complete tasks with limited supervision.
Mechanical, assembly, operations, industrial planning, manufacturing, or related logistics experience.
Understanding of Caterpillar Production System principles, including 5S, Continuous Improvement Idea Reporting, Waste Elimination, and Standard Work.
Ability to communicate cross-functionally and provide leadership summaries.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience with 5S implementation, workplace organization, industrial operations, or continuous improvement roles.
Previous leadership experience or experience acting as an area point-of-contact for operational excellence.
Experience leading continuous improvement events, rapid improvement activities, or area transformations.
Advanced computer skills and Caterpillar systems knowledge.
Understanding of Assembly Planning Systems.
AutoCAD experience.
Knowledge of Six Sigma, Lean principles, quality systems, and defect reduction approaches.
Ability to operate industrial equipment such as forklifts and aerial lifts as required.

Responsibilities

Lead and facilitate 5S activities across assigned areas using Caterpillar’s structured 5S methodology.
Guide teams through Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain, including proper use of Red Tags, point-of-use storage, and visual standards.
Support development of a visual factory that exposes hidden waste such as excess motion, transportation, storage issues, and abnormal conditions.
Assist Section Managers and production teams with plant-floor 5S activities, area layout, MRDR process support, CAV audit support, and other operational needs as assigned.
Establish and maintain visual standards that define expected area condition at shift change, including layout diagrams, storage expectations, PPE requirements, emergency information, and other area-specific controls.
Create, update, and maintain 5S documentation, standard work instructions, and visual controls to drive consistency and repeatability.
Assess workplace conditions, storage practices, cleanliness, safety, flow, and overall area readiness.
Educate employees on 5S principles and the disciplined work habits required to sustain improvements.
Coach work groups on using 5S as a practical tool for safety improvement, defect reduction, productivity, and continuous improvement.
Partner with Lean/CI facilitators and cross-functional teams to support workshops, rapid improvement events, area transformations, and improvement idea reporting.
Serve as a contributing team member who communicates across functions and helps align teams around expected standards.
Conduct regular 5S audits using Caterpillar audit processes and support follow-up actions to maintain compliance and sustainment.
Identify abnormalities in work areas and work with leaders and team members to address root causes.
Reinforce standard work and respond quickly to deviations that impact safety, quality, delivery, or workflow stability.
Use independent decision-making and problem solving to complete assigned tasks, meet deadlines, and support area priorities.
Support cross-functional teams in identifying waste and recommending practical improvement ideas.
Document before-and-after improvements to show impact, recognize engagement, and support ongoing sustainment.
Provide clear summaries, updates, and recommendations to leadership as needed.