Senior Manager Manufacturing Operations

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.

Job Description:

• Oversees and directs daily plant operations including production and manufacturing, maintenance, engineering support, safety, regulatory compliance, distribution and warehousing.
• Responsible for keep a Strong teamwork and a positive work environment, open communication about the vision, strategy and plans, with all employees.

Job Duties/Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Overseeing programs and practices for hiring, performance management and developing/training the personnel that perform and support the plant operating functions.
• Directing all aspects of manufacturing operations for the plant or facility in order to produce cost-effective, timely and high quality products in a safe, secure and sanitary working environment.
• Managing development, implementation and continual improvement of the operating methods, equipment, systems and other operating infrastructure used to realize operating goals and objectives.
• Directing development of production work schedules to meet internal goals and customer expectations; monitoring process and personnel performance of scheduled work activities to remove operating impediments and achieve established operating goals.

Skill Descriptors:

Collaborating: Knowledge of collaborative techniques; ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner.

Level Extensive Knowledge:

• Demonstrates experience engendering collaborative processes that lead to problem solving and the achievement of business goals.

• Establishes shared goals to foster collaboration.

• Ensures that everyone can access the same data and provide input into how business is conducted.

• Redesigns physical areas to allow for collaboration and private time.

• Deemphasizes divides; focuses on collaboration across generations, functions, regions, and levels.

• Implements methods for people to come together on the fly to make decisions, solve problems, and develop products/services.

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.

Level Extensive Knowledge:

• Interprets results of quantitative and statistical tools and explains results to others.

• Develops programs for motivating employees to meet or exceed quality goals.

• 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.

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.

Lean Manufacturing: Knowledge of the philosophy, principles and implementation approaches of lean manufacturing; ability to integrate and implement lean manufacturing philosophy into existing production and management processes.

Level Extensive Knowledge:

• Manages the adoption of lean manufacturing principles across the organization.

• Teaches others about how lean approach integrates operations, customers, logistics and product development.

• Consults on work cell design and plan layout in support of lean principles.

• Consults on the use of lean approaches across multiple functions.

• Trains others on key lean measurements and tools and techniques for measuring performance.

• Participates in detailed planning for implementing and monitoring lean manufacturing.

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

Required Qualifications:

• BS degree

• Proficient in English (written and verbal communication)

• 10+ years of relevant experience in appropriate equivalent experience

• Negotiation with Customers and prioritization skills

• Experience leading a standalone / unionized facility

• Demonstrate work and keep composure working under pressure

• Strong technical skills in Fuel systems & precision machining.

Desired Qualifications:

• Union and governmental relationship experience
• Knowledge of Profit & Loss and budgeting
• General understanding of the Caterpillar organization, products, policies, and procedures
• Certified Six Sigma Black Belt.

Location Disclaimer:

At the time of hire, this position will be associated with Caterpillar's existing Nuevo Laredo work location. Caterpillar is actively pursuing a new facility that will become the long-term work location for this role. While the exact address has not yet been finalized, the new facility is expected to be located within approximately five miles of our current operation. Employees selected for this role will transition to the new facility upon its opening.

Posting Dates:

October 7, 2026 - October 15, 2026

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

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