{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"438c4baf8c25fe6a34d50831","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/438c4baf8c25fe6a34d50831","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/438c4baf8c25fe6a34d50831","title":"Section Manager","description":"Career Area:\nManufacturing\nJob Description:\nYour Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.\nWhen 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.\nJob Summary:\nThe Production Manager is responsible for leading manufacturing operations to ensure safety, quality, and productivity targets are met. This role oversees daily production activities, manages team performance, and drives continuous improvement through Lean and quality initiatives. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership, operational expertise, and a hands-on approach to problem-solving in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.\nWhat You Will Do:\nManage daily production operations to meet safety, quality, and delivery goals.\nLead and develop a high-performing team, providing coaching, feedback, and support.\nPlan and coordinate schedules, resources, and materials to ensure efficient workflow.\nMonitor KPIs and use SAP and Microsoft tools to track performance and drive improvements.\nEnsure compliance with quality standards and apply Lean principles to reduce waste.\nCollaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve issues and support continuous improvement.\nInterpret blueprints and technical drawings to guide production accuracy.\nPromote a strong safety culture and ensure adherence to all safety protocols.\nEducation requirement:\nA degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related field is preferred but not required. Candidates may also demonstrate equivalent knowledge through relevant professional experience.\nWhat skills you will have:\nManufacturing Operations:\nLead and oversee daily production activities to ensure output meets quality and delivery targets.\nCoordinate cross-functional teams to resolve production bottlenecks and maintain workflow efficiency.\nMonitor equipment performance and initiate corrective actions to minimize downtime.\nApply knowledge of manufacturing processes and SAP systems to optimize operations and reporting.\nQuality Management:\nDrive adherence to quality standards and lead root cause analysis for product defects.\nCollaborate with quality assurance teams to implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).\nLead End to End BIQ initiative in value streams resulting in true PCA beyond administrative measures\nUtilize knowledge of quality concepts and Lean principles to reduce waste and improve consistency.\nPromote a culture of quality by training teams on inspection techniques and quality expectations.\nPlanning and Organizing:\nDevelop and manage production schedules aligned with demand forecasts and inventory levels.\nAllocate resources effectively to meet production goals while minimizing waste.\nUse Microsoft tools (Excel, Project, Teams) to track progress, manage data, and communicate plans.\nUse SAP to track production standard hours results\nUse SAP to coordinate with supply chain and logistics to ensure timely availability of materials.\nTalent Management:\nRecruit, onboard, and develop production team members to build a high-performing workforce.\nConduct regular performance reviews and provide coaching to support employee growth.\nLeverage previous experience as a lead or supervisor to mentor team members and resolve conflicts.\nIdentify skill gaps and implement training programs, including blueprint reading and safety practices.\nAdditional Information:\nThis position requires the candidate to work onsite five days a week at the Mapleton, IL office.\nDomestic relocation assistance is NOT available for this position.\nVisa sponsorship is NOT available with this position.\nThis position may require up to 10% travel.\nSummary Pay Range:\n$89,210.00 - $133,810.00\nCompensation 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.\nBenefits:\nSubject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.\nMedical, dental, and vision benefits*\nPaid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*\n401(k) savings plans*\nHealth Savings Account (HSA)*\nFlexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*\nHealth Lifestyle Programs*\nEmployee Assistance Program*\nVoluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*\nCareer Development*\nIncentive bonus*\nDisability benefits\nLife Insurance\nParental leave\nAdoption benefits\nTuition Reimbursement\nThese benefits also apply to part-time employees\nThis position requires working onsite five days a week.\nVisa Sponsorship is not available for this position. This employer is not currently hiring foreign national applicants that require or will require sponsorship tied to a specific employer, such as, H, L, TN, F, J, E, O. As a global company, Caterpillar offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S which can be found through our employment website at www.caterpillar.com/careers.\nPosting Dates:\nJanuary 27, 2026 - February 5, 2026\nAny offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.\nCaterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.\nNot ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.","company":"Caterpillar","rawCompany":"caterpillar","city":"Mapleton","state":"IL","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-04-14T10:58:58.649Z","occupations":[{"code":"11-3051.00","title":"Industrial Production Managers","slug":"industrial-production-managers"},{"code":"51-1011.00","title":"First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers","slug":"first-line-supervisors-of-production-and-operating-workers"},{"code":"11-1021.00","title":"General and Operations Managers","slug":"general-and-operations-managers"}],"industries":[{"code":"333248","title":"All Other Industrial Machinery Manufacturing","slug":"all-other-industrial-machinery-manufacturing"},{"code":"336310","title":"Motor Vehicle Gasoline Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing","slug":"motor-vehicle-gasoline-engine-and-engine-parts-manufacturing"},{"code":"333120","title":"Construction Machinery Manufacturing","slug":"construction-machinery-manufacturing"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Section Manager","description":"Career Area:\nManufacturing\nJob Description:\nYour Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.\nWhen 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.\nJob Summary:\nThe Production Manager is responsible for leading manufacturing operations to ensure safety, quality, and productivity targets are met. This role oversees daily production activities, manages team performance, and drives continuous improvement through Lean and quality initiatives. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership, operational expertise, and a hands-on approach to problem-solving in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.\nWhat You Will Do:\nManage daily production operations to meet safety, quality, and delivery goals.\nLead and develop a high-performing team, providing coaching, feedback, and support.\nPlan and coordinate schedules, resources, and materials to ensure efficient workflow.\nMonitor KPIs and use SAP and Microsoft tools to track performance and drive improvements.\nEnsure compliance with quality standards and apply Lean principles to reduce waste.\nCollaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve issues and support continuous improvement.\nInterpret blueprints and technical drawings to guide production accuracy.\nPromote a strong safety culture and ensure adherence to all safety protocols.\nEducation requirement:\nA degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related field is preferred but not required. Candidates may also demonstrate equivalent knowledge through relevant professional experience.\nWhat skills you will have:\nManufacturing Operations:\nLead and oversee daily production activities to ensure output meets quality and delivery targets.\nCoordinate cross-functional teams to resolve production bottlenecks and maintain workflow efficiency.\nMonitor equipment performance and initiate corrective actions to minimize downtime.\nApply knowledge of manufacturing processes and SAP systems to optimize operations and reporting.\nQuality Management:\nDrive adherence to quality standards and lead root cause analysis for product defects.\nCollaborate with quality assurance teams to implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).\nLead End to End BIQ initiative in value streams resulting in true PCA beyond administrative measures\nUtilize knowledge of quality concepts and Lean principles to reduce waste and improve consistency.\nPromote a culture of quality by training teams on inspection techniques and quality expectations.\nPlanning and Organizing:\nDevelop and manage production schedules aligned with demand forecasts and inventory levels.\nAllocate resources effectively to meet production goals while minimizing waste.\nUse Microsoft tools (Excel, Project, Teams) to track progress, manage data, and communicate plans.\nUse SAP to track production standard hours results\nUse SAP to coordinate with supply chain and logistics to ensure timely availability of materials.\nTalent Management:\nRecruit, onboard, and develop production team members to build a high-performing workforce.\nConduct regular performance reviews and provide coaching to support employee growth.\nLeverage previous experience as a lead or supervisor to mentor team members and resolve conflicts.\nIdentify skill gaps and implement training programs, including blueprint reading and safety practices.\nAdditional Information:\nThis position requires the candidate to work onsite five days a week at the Mapleton, IL office.\nDomestic relocation assistance is NOT available for this position.\nVisa sponsorship is NOT available with this position.\nThis position may require up to 10% travel.\nSummary Pay Range:\n$89,210.00 - $133,810.00\nCompensation 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.\nBenefits:\nSubject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.\nMedical, dental, and vision benefits*\nPaid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*\n401(k) savings plans*\nHealth Savings Account (HSA)*\nFlexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*\nHealth Lifestyle Programs*\nEmployee Assistance Program*\nVoluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*\nCareer Development*\nIncentive bonus*\nDisability benefits\nLife Insurance\nParental leave\nAdoption benefits\nTuition Reimbursement\nThese benefits also apply to part-time employees\nThis position requires working onsite five days a week.\nVisa Sponsorship is not available for this position. This employer is not currently hiring foreign national applicants that require or will require sponsorship tied to a specific employer, such as, H, L, TN, F, J, E, O. As a global company, Caterpillar offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S which can be found through our employment website at www.caterpillar.com/careers.\nPosting Dates:\nJanuary 27, 2026 - February 5, 2026\nAny offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.\nCaterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.\nNot ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.","datePosted":"2026-04-14T10:58:58.649Z","dateModified":"2026-04-14T10:58:58.649Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Caterpillar","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Mapleton","addressRegion":"IL","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"438c4baf8c25fe6a34d50831"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/438c4baf8c25fe6a34d50831"}}