Production Manager – Lower Power Train

Caterpillar•Decatur, IL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Production Manager – Lower Power Train is a first-shift, on-site role in Decatur, Illinois, overseeing and coordinating a complex production line to ensure safe, high-quality, on-time manufacturing. The manager leads daily execution by preparing schedules, resolving production issues, reinforcing operating procedures and standards, developing teams, and strengthening a culture of continuous improvement. The role coordinates staffing, material flow, and production priorities; maintains production reports and standard operating documentation; supervises, trains, and schedules team members; and troubleshoots operational issues. It also collaborates with Manufacturing, Engineering, Facilities Engineering, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to resolve issues and sustain production results. Relocation assistance is offered; visa sponsorship is not offered. Travel is up to 5%.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience desired.
Ability to identify engineering and operational challenges, evaluate alternatives and risks, and implement effective solutions.
Experience collecting, analyzing, and using operational data to inform business decisions and improve performance.
Ability to coach employees, provide actionable feedback, and support workforce development.
Ability to evaluate complex situations, determine root causes, and implement processes and controls.
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 production objectives.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to engage all organizational levels.
Commitment to operational discipline, quality standards, and execution excellence.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading in an automated manufacturing environment, including multi-team coordination and shift leadership.
Experience leading large-scale operational transformation, automation, or process improvement initiatives.
Demonstrated success leading Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Kaizen, Six Sigma, or Operational Excellence initiatives.

Responsibilities

Lead and coordinate day-to-day execution for a complex production line, aligning staffing, materials flow, and priorities to meet safety, quality, and delivery commitments.
Create and maintain production reports and records covering process performance, tooling issues, and inventory, and recommend improvements to safety, productivity, and quality.
Prepare, maintain, and improve standard operating documentation to ensure processes and products meet safety and quality standards.
Supervise and direct production teams by assigning work, coordinating across teams, monitoring performance, removing barriers, and ensuring a safe work environment.
Train and onboard team members, manage scheduling, and resolve work conflicts to maintain stable, efficient shift execution.
Troubleshoot operational issues, identify root causes, evaluate options, and implement countermeasures.
Communicate across organizational levels to sustain alignment, accountability, and consistent production results.
Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Facilities Engineering, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to resolve issues.