Senior Logistics Production Manager

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.

Senior Logistics Production Manager – Decatur, IL

Location: Decatur, Illinois
Travel: Up to 5%
Relocation Assistance: Available
Visa Sponsorship: Not Available
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Level: Manager
Industry: Manufacturing / Heavy Equipment
Function: Operations / Logistics / Production Management

Job Summary

Join Caterpillar as a Senior Logistics Production Manager and lead the day-to-day logistics operations at our Decatur facility. This role is critical in driving operational excellence, ensuring safety and compliance, and delivering high-performance outcomes across production lines.

This position will be responsible for a three-shift operation.  Coordination of material, equipment, manpower and continual improvement reside with this position as well as meeting schedule requirements.  Work direction, problem solving and coordination with support departments is a major responsibility. Determining budget requirements, cost savings projects, forecasting production needs and ensuring quality standards are maintained resides with this position.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensures effective operation of an assigned area of logistics operation to meet established schedules and production requirements while maintaining cost.  Develops plans for efficient use of materials, machines and manpower to achieve cost, quality and inventory management target.
• Monitors customer delivery performance, cost reduction programs, lead-time improvements, and quality improvement projects that will enhance customer value and business unit results.
• Establishes cost and quality goals and ensures achievement of targets for assigned area.
• Ensures proper direction and supervision of activities in assigned area to maintain effective utilization of personnel and machinery.
• Determines needs and coordinates actions required to maintain standards of efficiency, quality and safety in area supervised.
• Implement various corporate initiatives such as 5S, Lean Manufacturing, 6 Sigma, Internal Certification, etc. 
• Promotes development of people through continued education, employee involvement, increased responsibility and ergonomics.  Trains new supervisors on quality standards. 
• Position should have good working knowledge of labor rules and regulations.

Preferred Background

• Experience in logistics, manufacturing, or production management.
• Strong background in lean manufacturing and BIQ.
• Proven leadership in high-volume, safety-critical environments.

Required Skills & Competencies

Inventory Management

• Conducts and directs inventory reviews.
• Develops programs to motivate teams toward quality goals.

Analytical Thinking

• Uses tools like Pareto charts and fishbone diagrams to identify root causes.
• Compares alternative solutions and draws data-driven conclusions.
• Identifies key forces and stakeholders in complex situations.

Planning & Organizing

• Develops contingency plans and manages conflicting priorities.
• Tracks implementation of plans to ensure successful outcomes.
• Prioritizes tasks based on interdependencies and critical goals.

Performance Management

• Provides structured feedback and uses recognition programs.
• Identifies development opportunities through training and shadowing.
• Ensures performance goals align with desired behaviors and outcomes.

Manufacturing Safety

• Conducts OSHA-compliant safety inspections.
• Designs emergency response procedures and promotes safety culture.
• Ensures compliance with all safety policies and regulations.

Logistics Standards & Procedures

• Implements and explains logistics policies and procedures.
• Participates in continuous improvement of logistics processes.
• Escalates exceptions and provides feedback for procedural enhancements.

Additional Information

This positio