Vice President Manufacturing Operations

Caterpillar•Peoria, IL

1d•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. Resource Industries Segment: Caterpillar’s Resource Industries (RI) segment includes the Integrated Components Division, RI Operations and Products Division, Strategic Procurement & Planning Division, and the RI Sales, Services and Technology Division. About the Role: We are currently seeking a Vice President of Operations to lead our RI Operations and Products Division (RIOP). This leader will be responsible for global manufacturing operations across eight manufacturing facilities with approximately 6400 production employees. Product lines include articulated trucks, draglines, electric rope shovels, hydraulic mining shovels, large mining trucks, large track-type tractors, large wheel loaders, surface rock drills, off-highway trucks, underground hard rock vehicles and wheel-tractor scrapers. Role Overview The Vice President, Operations is a senior leadership role within the RI Operations and Products Division (RIOP). This division spans 12+ product lines, eight global manufacturing facilities, and more than 8,000 employees, with responsibility for Caterpillar’s largest and most complex equipment platforms, including articulated trucks, draglines, electric rope shovels, hydraulic mining shovels, large mining trucks, large track‑type tractors, large wheel loaders, surface rock drills, off‑highway trucks, underground hard rock vehicles, and wheel‑tractor scrapers. This role leads end‑to‑end manufacturing operations across all shifts and sites, with full accountability for safety, quality, delivery, cost, people development, and operational performance in a low‑volume, high‑mix, vertically integrated manufacturing environment that includes both fabrication and final assembly.

Requirements

Proven ability to lead large‑scale, multi‑site manufacturing operations, including fabrication and final assembly, with full P&L‑level accountability.
Experience defining and executing enterprise‑level Lean strategies and sustaining a continuous improvement culture.
Demonstrated success building proactive, high‑performing safety cultures in heavy or complex manufacturing environments.
Ability to translate demand forecasts into production and capacity plans across multiple product lines and global facilities.
Strong track record developing senior leaders, aligning incentives, and driving accountability at scale.
Advanced capability in data gathering, analysis, and translating insights into operational actions.
Ability to influence across functions and geographies, lead transformation, and navigate complexity and ambiguity.
Leadership experience in highly customized, complex, low‑volume / high‑mix manufacturing environments.
Demonstrated success leading large, global, multi‑site manufacturing organizations.
Proven track record implementing advanced manufacturing technologies and driving scalable operational improvements.
Deep understanding of global manufacturing practices, supply chain integration, and modern operational frameworks.
Experience operating in capital‑intensive, heavy equipment or engineered‑to‑order manufacturing environments preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide executive leadership across manufacturing and extended supply chain operations, ensuring end‑to‑end alignment from suppliers through fabrication, assembly, and delivery to customers.
Lead the scaling of advanced manufacturing capabilities, including automation, digital manufacturing, and smart factory technologies to improve safety, quality, cost, and delivery.
Lead, develop, and performance‑manage senior manufacturing leaders and operations teams; build a strong leadership bench and high‑performance culture at scale.
Drive a world‑class safety culture, ensuring regulatory compliance and proactive risk mitigation across all sites.
Own operational performance, including production, quality, cost, delivery, and capacity management, using data‑driven systems and disciplined operating rhythms.
Partner closely with engineering, product, sales, and business leadership to align manufacturing strategy with product roadmaps, customer demand, and long‑term business objectives.
Lead continuous improvement and transformation initiatives, including Lean manufacturing, advanced manufacturing technologies, and operational excellence programs across the division.
Enable flexibility and scalability in a complex, low‑volume / high‑mix environment while maintaining durability and quality standards for highly engineered equipment.