Career Area:
Manufacturing
Job Description:
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.
Role Definition
The Senior Director of Manufacturing Operations for Caterpillar’s Earthmoving division will lead manufacturing operations directors at 6 global facilities with responsibility for plant operations including production and manufacturing, maintenance, engineering support, safety, regulatory compliance, distribution and warehousing.
The Earthmoving division is responsible for the products at the core of Caterpillar including Medium Tractor Products, Motor Graders, Medium Wheel Loaders, and Paving products, which includes the machines upon which our company was founded. Earthmoving serves dozens of industries and represents two brands, Caterpillar and SEM.
Earthmoving works collaboratively as one team to grow services and create solutions superior to the competition while sharing a purpose to help our customers build a better world.
Responsibilities
- Lead operations facilities through transformative change ensuring achievement of manufacturing excellence and efficiency in Earthmoving manufacturing facilities globally.
- Continuously drive operational cost improvements.
- Collaborate with the Earthmoving Operations Center of Excellence to implement common processes across facilities.
- Increase utilization of digital and automation technologies to drive continuous improvements in safety, quality, velocity and cost of manufacturing.
- Develop 5-10 year business strategy for the facilities.
- Lead teams in development, implementation and continual improvement of the operating methods, equipment, systems and other operating infrastructure used to realize operating goals and objectives.
- Execute with a customer back mindset and deliver world-class product availability.
- Develop and lead a lean, agile and growth-minded culture.
Degree Requirement
Degree or equivalent experience desired.
Skill Descriptors
Quality Management: Knowledge of quality management methods, tools, and techniques and ability to create and support an environment that meets the quality goals of the organization.
• Interprets results of quantitative and statistical tools and explains results to others.
• Communicates key benefits of a quality management process.
• Conducts and directs quality reviews.
• Develops expertise in quality assurance tools, techniques, and standards.
• Develops quality assurance processes based on Six Sigma, ISO 9000 or Baldrige principles.
• Develops programs for motivating employees to meet or exceed quality goals.
Planning and Organizing: Knowledge of the process of planning and arranging tasks and resources; ability to plan and organize both time and resources to get things completed while structuring and maintaining work in a systematic and highly methodical way.
• Optimizes time, tools, and resources to achieve desired results.
• Manages links among multiple projects and anticipates the impact of the project's outcome on all concerned.
• Synthesizes pertinent information to plan a course of action.
• Documents plans with clear objectives, action steps, accountabilities, resource requirements and timelines.
• Tracks successes in order to establish processes viewed as effective for the entire enterprise.
• Specifies the underlying assumptions related to designated work.
Manufacturing Operations: Knowledge of manufacturing operations; ability to perform day-to-day operations of a manufacturing plant or facility for products.
• Builds a monitoring system to track manufacturing operation activities.
• Sets and oversees all operational routines for departments and staff.
• Oversees proper safety and security procedures to ensure accreditation approval.
• Designs strategies to minimize machinery problems and safety risks within the organization.
• Develops plans for movement of products through lines to processing, storage, and shipping units.
• Leads discussions on the history and evolution of manufacturing plants and associated services and functions.
Manufacturing Safety: Knowledge of manufacturing safety; ability to identify work-related hazards and perform necessary activities to meet regulatory requirements for the safety and protection of workers, environment and site.
• Consults on the use of new tools and techniques for safety protection.
• Performs safety inspections to assure compliance with OSHA requirements.
• Designs and implements emergency response processes and procedures.
• Promotes workplace safety among supervisors and workers; communicates safety rules and regulations.
• Assesses and reports unusual or new safety hazards or violations; initiates corrective action.
• Ensures that all employees and contractors comply with relevant safety policies and regulations.
Top candidates will also have:
- Experience in Leading Transformation and Culture Change.
- Demonstrated results in Manufacturing Operations.
- A proven record of improving operational costs in a facility.
- A strong safety mindset and the ability to create a safety culture.
Additional Information:
- Location: Peoria, Illinois.
- Domestic Relocation is offered for this role.
- This role is on-site 5 days a week.
- Up to 50% travel.
- This position is eligible for stock or other equity grants pursuant to Caterpillar’s long-term incentive plan.
Summary Pay Range:
$212,880.00 - $319,320.00
Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.
Benefits:
Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.
Medical, dental, and vision benefits*
Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*
401(k) savings plans*
Health Savings Account (HSA)*
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*
Health Lifestyle Programs*
Employee Assistance Program*
Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*
Career Development*
Incentive bonus*
Disability benefits
Life Insurance
Parental leave
Adoption benefits
Tuition Reimbursement
* These benefits also apply to part-time employees
Posting Dates:
September 5, 2025 - September 16, 2025
Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.
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