Lean Quality Manager

Caterpillar Inc.•Victoria, TX

2d•$112,710 - $169,060•Onsite

About The Position

Caterpillar is seeking a Lean Quality Manager to lead the integration of Lean Manufacturing principles and Quality Management Systems across its Victoria facility. The role drives continuous improvement, operational excellence, and product quality through strategic leadership, Lean deployment, project execution, and quality system management. The successful candidate leads cross-functional teams, influences organizational change, and delivers measurable improvements in People, Quality, Velocity, and Cost (PQVC) performance. The position provides strategic leadership for manufacturing operations across multiple value streams, leading facility-wide Lean transformation and quality excellence. It oversees the Quality Management System, ensures compliance with customer requirements and regulatory standards, and directs quality assurance strategies, investigations, corrective actions, preventive measures, and control plans. The manager leads and develops quality and continuous-improvement teams, manages complex projects from identification through implementation and sustainment, and partners across operations, engineering, supply chain, and leadership to achieve business objectives. The role uses Lean tools, Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen events, Six Sigma DMAIC, standard work, performance metrics, and data-driven problem solving to improve safety, quality, employee engagement, operational velocity, and cost. The primary location is Victoria, Texas. Relocation assistance and sponsorship are not available. The listed salary range is $112,710 to $169,060.

Requirements

Experience in Lean Manufacturing leadership and deployment.
Strong knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS) and quality assurance principles.
Expertise in Six Sigma DMAIC methodology and statistical problem-solving.
Project and program management experience.
Decision-making and critical-thinking skills.
Process improvement and continuous improvement leadership.
Strong influencing and change-management capabilities.
Planning, organizing, and execution excellence.
Root cause analysis and problem-solving expertise.
Relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.
Ability to analyze data and drive business decisions based on performance metrics.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
Extensive experience leading facility-wide Lean deployment initiatives.
Demonstrated success leading quality organizations within a manufacturing environment.
Significant experience with Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Proven ability to communicate effectively with facility and senior leadership.
Experience leading through organizational change and influencing across functions.
Demonstrated success managing multiple teams and complex projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities

Lead facility-wide Lean deployment and transformation initiatives across multiple value streams.
Serve as the site's subject matter expert for Lean tools, methodologies, and execution.
Facilitate Lean assessments and prioritize improvement opportunities.
Develop and deliver Lean training programs and workshops for employees and leaders.
Drive a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Oversee the administration, compliance, and continual improvement of the Quality Management System.
Ensure effective implementation of quality standards, processes, and auditing practices.
Lead quality investigations, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and preventive actions.
Partner with engineering and production teams to resolve quality concerns and improve manufacturing performance.
Review and communicate quality metrics, trends, and improvement opportunities with facility leadership.
Lead, mentor, and develop managers, team leaders, quality specialists, and continuous improvement professionals.
Manage complex improvement programs and projects from identification through implementation and sustainment.
Establish cross-functional networks to secure resources and remove organizational roadblocks.
Promote professional project management techniques and accountability across teams.
Use Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to improve operational performance and customer satisfaction.
Monitor key performance indicators and use data-driven decision making to improve safety, quality, employee engagement, operational velocity, and cost performance.
Analyze internal and external non-conformance trends and lead root cause analysis and sustainable corrective actions.
Develop quality assurance strategies, corrective actions, preventive measures, and control plans to improve product quality and reliability.
Coach employees and leaders on Lean principles, quality systems, problem-solving methodologies, and continuous improvement practices.
Build partnerships across operations, engineering, supply chain, and leadership teams to remove barriers and achieve business objectives.