Lean Manufacturing Project Manager

Caterpillar Inc.•East Peoria, IL

7d•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. We are seeking a Lean Manufacturing Project Manager to lead transformation initiatives across our manufacturing operations. In this role, you will touch every aspect of the manufacturing business—from undercarriage and heat treat to assembly—driving enterprise‑level change and operational excellence. If you are energized by full‑scale manufacturing transformation, thrive in complex environments, and want to see your work deliver measurable business results, this role is for you.

Requirements

Process Improvement: Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives that deliver measurable improvements in quality, cost, delivery, and safety.
Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies (DMAIC) applied in manufacturing environments.
Proficiency with Lean tools such as value stream mapping, standard work, Kaizen, 5S, and root cause analysis.
Project Management: End‑to‑end project management experience, including scope definition, scheduling, risk management, and results tracking.
Ability to manage multiple Lean / Six Sigma projects simultaneously and align them to strategic business objectives.
Strong governance, prioritization, and stakeholder alignment skills to drive execution and accountability.
Influencing: Strong change management and influencing skills to embed Lean behaviors and sustain improvements over time.
Proven ability to lead cross‑functional teams in complex manufacturing environments.
Ability to coach and mentor Green Belt practitioners through successful project execution.
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.

Nice To Haves

Hands‑on experience in manufacturing operations such as assembly, heat treat, or heavy equipment environments.
6 Sigma Blackbelt Certification.
Experience with full business transformation.

Responsibilities

Lead full manufacturing transformation initiatives, applying Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to deliver sustainable improvements across safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
Design, develop, and deploy Lean and Six Sigma systems, tools, and operating models that elevate business performance and embed a culture of continuous improvement.
Own and manage a portfolio of Six Sigma projects, ensuring measurable outcomes aligned to strategic business priorities.
Serve as a technical coach and mentor to Green Belts and cross‑functional teams, guiding them through project planning, execution, and results realization.
Integrate Lean thinking into daily operations, influencing how work is done across manufacturing, engineering, and support functions.
Partner with leaders and teams across the business to drive operational excellence and enable long‑term transformation.