Senior Manager Production

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.

Updated: 09/29/2025

Role Definition

Manages the day-to-day operations of all shifts of a large facility or multiple manufacturing facilities.

Responsibilities

• Managing staffing, development, and performance management programs for operations staff; managing, motivating, and developing management team.
• Overseeing operations activities, ensuring that safety, and schedules and performance requirements are met and system resources are used effectively.
• Driving improvements for overall operations performance and implementing production safety, cost, and quality control mechanisms.
• Ensures the compliance of all regulatory guidelines and forges a safe and sound manufacturing environment.
  
  

Degree Requirement

Degree or equivalent experience desired

Skill Descriptors

Production Training: Knowledge of approaches, tools and techniques for delivering formal and informal training on the safe and efficient operation of production machinery; ability to conduct effective formal and situation-specific training.

Level Extensive Knowledge:

• Conducts needs analysis to determine skill gaps or areas where training is needed.
• Develops training programs on the use of new or improved production machines.
• Directs staff on the set-up and operation of production machinery for custom or non-standard jobs.
• Evaluates the pros and cons of various training media and the value of each to the organization.
• Facilitates the training of employees on new equipment provided by equipment manufacturers.
• Measures the value of the training program by gathering pre- and post-training performance metrics.
  
  

Problem Solving: Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations.

Level Extensive Knowledge:

• Ensures capture of lessons to be learned from a problem-solving effort.
• Organizes potential problem solvers and leads problem resolution efforts.
• Uses varying problem-solving approaches and techniques as appropriate.
• Contributes to standard practices for problem-solving approaches, tools, and processes.
• Analyzes and synthesizes information and devises alternative resolution strategies.
• Develops successful resolutions to critical or wide-impact problems.
  
  

Influencing: Knowledge of effective influencing tactics and strategies; ability to impact decisions within and outside own organization.

Level Extensive Knowledge:

• Achieves influence and impact even when holding a position contrary to the majority.
• Discards examples of persuasive arguments lacking substance or impact.
• Leads and presents collaborative assessments that persuasively influence decision makers.
• Advises on techniques to build rapport and commitment to common purpose.
• Determines and leverages the decision-making style of the individual or group being influenced.
• Delivers well-received presentations of cost, benefits, risks, and other considerations.
  
  

Flexibility and Adaptability: Knowledge of successful approaches and techniques for dealing with change; ability to adapt to a changing environment and be comfortable with change.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Adjusts to new or changing assignments, processes, and people.
• Demonstrates willingness to listen to other opinions.
• Provides examples of shifting from task to task.
• Identifies and considers alternative approaches to situations or problems.
• Accepts new or radical ideas with an open mind; avoids snap reactions.
  
  

Performance Management: Knowledge of successful performance management techniques; ability to apply organization's performance management system, practices, and tools to developing and improving individual, team, and organizational performance.

Level Extensive Knowledge:

• Gives continuing feedback, recognizes achievement, and recommends improvement.
• Participates in the salary planning and administration process.
• Defines and agrees upon performance goals and objectives with associates.
• Identifies performance problem areas early on and defines specific improvement activities.
• Adjusts and communicates performance objectives as necessary for team objectives.
• Publicly shares accolades and recognizes and rewards top performers.
  
  

Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.

Level Extensive Knowledge:

• Seeks discrepancies and inconsistencies in available information; explains variances.
• Organizes and prioritizes the sequence of steps to be taken to remedy the situation.
• Identifies many possible causes for a problem based on prior experience and current research.
• Quantifies the costs, benefits, risks, and chances for success before recommending a course of action.
• Approaches a complex problem by breaking it down into its component parts.
• Chooses among a diverse set of analytical tools according to the nature of the situation.
  
  

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.

Level Extensive Knowledge:

• Updates stakeholders on potential changes; re-negotiates requirements as necessary.
• Identifies the critical goals and tasks required to meet daily objectives.
• Develops contingency plans or to improve processes and to avoid problems before they occur.
• Evaluates linkages and interrelationships when prioritizing multiple responsibilities.
• Manages conflicting priorities effectively.
• Tracks the implementation of plans closely to ensure that desired outcomes are achieved.
  
  

Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.

Level Extensive Knowledge:

• Reviews others writing or presentations and provides feedback and coaching.
• Adapts documents and presentations for the intended audience.
• Demonstrates both empathy and assertiveness when communicating a need or defending a position.
• Communicates well downward, upward, and outward.
• Employs appropriate methods of persuasion when soliciting agreement.
• Maintains focus on the topic at hand.
  
  

This Job Description is intended as a general guide to the job duties for this position and is intended for the purpose of establishing the specific salary grade. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive summary of all responsibilities, duties and effort required of employees assigned to this job. At the discretion of management, this description may be changed at any time to address the evolving needs of the organization. It is expressly not intended to be a comprehensive list of essential job functions as that term is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Posting Dates:

August 17, 2026 - August 30, 2026

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply

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