Automated Operations Manager

Caterpillar Inc.•East Peoria, IL

3d•$97,530 - $146,290•Onsite

About The Position

As an Automated Operations Manager, you will lead a complex manufacturing operation responsible for integrating and operating automated manufacturing processes, including but not limited to burn-to-shape, parts nesting, metal bending, milling, drilling, and other modern manufacturing technologies. This position oversees and owns the process development and execution, coordinates production activities, resolves operational issues, develops employees, and ensures compliance with safety and quality standards. You will partner across manufacturing, quality, engineering, supply chain, and logistics teams to execute business objectives while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Ability to identify engineering and operational challenges, evaluate alternatives, analyze risks, and implement effective solutions.
Experience collecting, analyzing, and utilizing operational data to drive informed business decisions and performance improvements.
Demonstrated ability to coach employees, provide actionable feedback, and support workforce development initiatives.
Capability to evaluate complex situations, determine root causes, and implement new processes and controls.
Proven ability to organize information, prioritize competing demands, and make sound operational decisions for newly developed manufacturing processes and equipment.
Experience integrating new technologies, developing action plans, managing priorities, and executing against production objectives.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage all levels of the organization.
Commitment to operational discipline, quality standards, and execution excellence.

Nice To Haves

Experience in burn to shape, parts nesting, metal bending, mill and drill, and other automated systems.
Experience leading manufacturing operations in heavy equipment, industrial machinery, automotive, aerospace, metals, or high-volume production environments.
Demonstrated success leading Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Kaizen, Six Sigma, or Operational Excellence initiatives.
Experience managing hourly manufacturing teams.
Strong understanding of production systems, quality management systems, and manufacturing performance metrics.
Experience supporting large-scale operational transformation, automation, or process improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

Monitor equipment performance and process reliability, investigate problem areas, and support corrective actions that improve production results.
Lead engineering support for the planning, development, operation, installation, and maintenance of manufacturing equipment, processes, and facilities.
Use structured problem-solving, fact-finding, and diagnostic tools to define manufacturing issues, evaluate alternatives, and support informed decisions.
Develop project plans, estimates, schedules, resource requirements, and status updates for assigned manufacturing engineering initiatives.
Provide technical direction, coaching, and development support to operations technical staff and other manufacturing support teams.
Lead and coordinate the daily activities of a complex production operation to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality manufacturing performance.
Supervise, coach, and develop production employees and frontline leaders while promoting employee engagement and accountability.
Drive manufacturing performance through production planning, resource allocation, problem resolution, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Ensure compliance with established safety, quality, environmental, and operational standards.
Analyze production metrics, inventory data, system performance, and operational reports to identify opportunities for improvement.
Develop and maintain procedures, documentation, and work practices that support operational excellence.
Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to improve productivity, quality, and overall manufacturing effectiveness.
Create a culture centered on safety, continuous improvement, collaboration, and operational excellence.