Senior Production Manager

Caterpillar Inc.•Lafayette, IN

5d•$112,710 - $169,060•Onsite

About The Position

The Large Power Systems Division (LPSD) is part of Caterpillar’s Power & Energy segment. Through this global organization, Caterpillar designs and manufactures large (greater than 18 liters) diesel and natural gas engines, powertrains and key engine systems. LPSD products and solutions support customers across power generation, industrial, marine, oil & gas, rail, services and Cat® machine applications worldwide. LPSD teams work across regions and function to deliver safe, reliable and compliant solutions that help solve our customers’ toughest challenges. The Lafayette Engine Center (LEC) manufactures the Cat 3500, Cat 3600 and C175 engines helping Caterpillar become the world’s leading manufacturer of off-highway diesel and natural gas engines. The units built at LEC power mining trucks carrying ore to be processed, tugboats guiding ships to harbor, drill rigs tapping oil and gas reserves and generators bringing electricity to communities, hospitals and data centers. The Lafayette Engine center has two 2nd shift Senior Production Manager openings. In this role, you will be responsible for leading shift operations for multiple value streams in a manufacturing environment to ensure the safe maximization of efficiency in quality, velocity and cost. This position initiates corrective actions and communications to overcome impediments causing delays.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 3 years of relevant leadership experience OR Associate's degree and 4 years of relevant leadership experience OR 6 years of relevant leadership experience
5+ years of interaction with assembly and/or machine shop operations, equipment and processes or support.
Must demonstrate good interpersonal skills,
Be able to communicate with others
Strong communication skills
Demonstrate teamwork and have the ability to work with a diverse group of employees and customers’
Must be a self-starter and work with limited direction
Must possess strong motivational skills, a high degree of self-initiative, and a strong customer focus
Be proficient with Microsoft Office products
Be willing to work outside of normal work hours including overtime and alternative shifts
Must be willing to work across all buildings within the LEC campus

Nice To Haves

LEC Assembly Experience
Prior 6 Sigma/Lean manufacturing experience.
Strong communication skills
Strong leadership and managerial skills
Ability to direct a diverse team of people to ensure divisional goals are met.
Change management and innovative critical thinking skills in a competitive large engine industry.
Have a mechanical aptitude
Masters degree from an accredited college or university
Achieved a professional certification (ASQ, SME, etc.)
Experience working within an extended value stream methodology with cross departmental collaboration amongst operations, quality, manufacturing engineering, design engineering, supply chain & maintenance
Experience with 3500, 3600, and/or C175 Engines and component manufacturing or other assembly areas
Experience in a management role in machine shop operations, assembly operations, or operations quality

Responsibilities

Monitor and improve safety on the shop floor; eliminate any unsafe operations/behaviors and ensure a safe and clean production environment within the Assembly Operation.
Ensure processes are followed to meet quality standards. Monitors’ quality metrics and provides direction when necessary.
Coordinate the effective operation of assigned areas of manufacturing to meet established schedules and production requirements while maintaining cost. Develops plans for efficient use of materials, machines and manpower to achieve manufacturing cost, quality and inventory management target during shift.
Ensure proper direction and supervision of activities on assigned shift to maintain effective utilization of personnel and machinery. Ability to quickly diagnose complex problems and reprioritize facility resources in a dynamic environment is essential.
Initiate and conduct process improvement dialogs with Section Managers, Team Leads and Team Members. Drive root cause analysis and utilize ICA’s and PCA’s resolution on all forms of loss, i.e., safety, quality, production.
Implement and support various corporate initiatives such as STOP-TO-FIX, BIQ, 5S, Lean Manufacturing, 6 Sigma, Internal Certification, etc.
Promote development of people through continued education, employee involvement, increased responsibility, and ergonomics. Train and mentor new supervisors on best practices for leading in a manufacturing environment. Sets goals and assist team in meeting quality goals/standards.
This position will be directly responsible for 2nd shift, Assembly Operations and will have indirect responsibility for other operations on this shift . Coordination of material, equipment, manpower and quality on the shift rests with this position as well as meeting customer schedule requirements. Work direction, problem solving and coordination with support departments across all shifts is a major responsibility.