Career Area:

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.

In this role, you will collaborate closely with global and local product, technology, operations, and manufacturing teams. You will be responsible for manufacturing process readiness and execution for New Product Introduction (NPI) and New Site Introduction (NSI), oversee the early planning, implementation, and continuous optimization of manufacturing processes, and drive the integration of modern manufacturing methods with automation and digital systems. You will ensure that manufacturing capabilities, product engineering, and business objectives remain aligned.

What You Will Do

• Lead recruitment, performance management, capability building, and talent development for the team, ensuring workforce capabilities align with plant operations and business growth needs.
• Lead manufacturing readiness for New Product Introduction (NPI) and New Site Introduction (NSI), including assembly and manufacturing process planning, cost estimation, capacity and systems planning, plant layout, standards development, and the development and commissioning of tooling, gauges, and inspection equipment.
• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of manufacturing methods, equipment, systems, and related infrastructure, advancing lean, automation, and digital capabilities to support operational objectives.
• Coordinate equipment delivery and commissioning plans, capacity readiness, and material requirements to align project milestones with production demand; promote the adoption of new technologies and verify the safety, stability, and effectiveness of equipment and systems.
• Develop and manage manufacturing-related capital investment and expense plans, strengthening budget control and resource allocation to ensure investments align with company strategy, capacity plans, and business priorities.

What Skills You Will Have

• Capacity Planning and Management—Working Knowledge: Interpret demand forecasts and business plans, assess actual and projected capacity requirements, analyze key demand-chain inputs, and develop or support short-term capacity plans for products and facilities.
• Manufacturing Processes—Extensive Knowledge: Select and optimize manufacturing methods, establish best practices, train others, monitor new processes and technologies, and evaluate alternative solutions.
• Lean Manufacturing—Extensive Knowledge: Drive the adoption of lean principles, advise on work-cell and plant layout, integrate lean practices across functions, and coach others on lean methods and performance measures.
• Smart Manufacturing—Extensive Knowledge: Apply a strong understanding of manufacturing automation and digital architecture, systems integration, and project implementation methods; evaluate and select appropriate equipment and technologies, coordinate multi-vendor environments, integrate manufacturing data with business processes, and continuously improve manufacturing infrastructure based on equipment performance.
• Performance Management—Working Knowledge: Set behavior-focused goals and checkpoints, identify development opportunities, provide objective feedback, and support formal performance reviews and recognition programs.
• Problem Solving—Extensive Knowledge: Lead cross-functional problem-solving efforts, apply fit-for-purpose methods, synthesize information, develop alternative strategies, and capture lessons learned.
• Decision Making and Critical Thinking—Working Knowledge: Gather and organize relevant information, clarify priorities and stakeholders, apply structured methods, and assess risks, benefits, and alternatives.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or above, or equivalent relevant experience sufficient to perform the responsibilities of the role.
• Fluency in spoken and written English, with the ability to communicate professionally in a global working environment.
• Strong cross-team communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to align different functional teams and drive shared objectives.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in manufacturing engineering or manufacturing project management, with knowledge of equipment, processes, systems planning, plant layout, tooling, standards, and continuous improvement; experience with NPI or NSI projects is preferred.
• Experience leading facility capacity enhancement, process optimization, or smart manufacturing projects, with the ability to translate business needs into executable technical and operational solutions.
• Experience developing and managing facility capital investment plans, including budget control, resource allocation, project prioritization, and investment-benefit tracking.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and change management capabilities, with the ability to align product, technology, operations, and manufacturing stakeholders and drive resolution of critical or broad-impact issues.
• Experience in team leadership, performance management, and talent development.

Posting Dates:

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

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