Production Manager – Lower Power Train
Caterpillar · Decatur, IL
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Production
- Base pay
- $98k–$146k
- Travel
- 5%
- Degree
- Preferred
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Yesterday
The role in 30 seconds
A management production role at Caterpillar (industrial) in Decatur, IL. Prepare, maintain, and improve standard operating documentation, ensuring processes and products meet defined safety and quality standards.
- They ask for
- degree preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, Root cause, Automation, Tooling
- Base pay
- $98k–$146k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage · about 5% travel · relocation help
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Production Engineer roles in Illinois: typical posted base $101k–$150k. This one lists $98k–$146k.
Median of the low and high ends of 29 live postings that list pay, out of 50 production engineer openings in Illinois, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Illinois plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 49 other live production postings in Illinois.
- Base pay
- In line with similar roles
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Typical $100k–$147k, from 25 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 7+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Lean 48%
- ✓ Team leadership 32%
- ✓ Root cause 30%
- EHS / safety 28%
- ✓ Six Sigma 26%
- New product launch 20%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Production team at Caterpillar
We found 9 people at this company and state: 8 in this kind of role, 1 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Sean → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- The posting says about 5% travel. Between which sites?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Caterpillar in Decatur
2 other open roles at this site · 9 people we found in production roles at Caterpillar.
- Production Manager · Production · Manager
- Logistics Production Manager · Production · Manager
Full description from CaterpillarAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Job Summary
As 1st shift Production Manager in Decatur, Illinois, you will oversee and coordinate a complex production line, ensuring safe, high‑quality, on‑time manufacturing. You’ll lead daily execution by preparing schedules, resolving production issues, and reinforcing operating procedures and standards, while developing teams and strengthening a culture of continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- ◆Lead and coordinate day‑to‑day execution for a complex production line, aligning staffing, materials flow, and priorities to meet safety, quality, and delivery commitments.
- ◆Create and maintain production reports and records (process performance, tooling issues, inventory) and provide actionable recommendations to improve safety, productivity, and quality.
- ◆Prepare, maintain, and improve standard operating documentation, ensuring processes and products meet defined safety and quality standards.
- ◆Supervise and direct production teams: assign work, coordinate across teams, monitor performance, remove barriers, and ensure a safe work environment.
- ◆Train and onboard new team members; manage scheduling and resolve work conflicts to maintain stable, efficient shift execution.
- ◆Troubleshoot operational issues with a structured approach; identify root causes, evaluate options, and implement effective countermeasures.
- ◆Communicate clearly up, down, and across the organization to sustain alignment, accountability, and consistent production results.
- ◆Cross collaboration between Manufacturing. Engineering, Facilities Engineering, maintenance, and Supply Chain to drive resolution of issues.
Required Skills
- ✓Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience desired.
- ✓Problem Solving: Ability to identify engineering and operational challenges, evaluate alternatives, analyze risks, and implement effective solutions.
- ✓Data Gathering & Analysis: Experience collecting, analyzing, and utilizing operational data to drive informed business decisions and performance improvements.
- ✓Performance Management: Demonstrated ability to coach employees, provide actionable feedback, and support workforce development initiatives.
- ✓Analytical Thinking: Capability to evaluate complex situations, determine root causes, and implement new processes and controls .
- ✓Decision Making & Critical Thinking: Proven ability to organize information, prioritize competing demands, and make sound operational decisions for newly developed manufacturing processes and equipment .
- ✓Planning & Organizing: Experience integrating new technologies , developing action plans, managing priorities, and executing against production objectives.
- ✓Effective Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage all levels of the organization.
- ✓Accuracy & Attention to Detail: Commitment to operational discipline, quality standards, and execution excellence.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
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.
Production Manager – Lower Power Train
Location: Decatur, IL
Relocation Assistance: Offered
Visa Sponsorship: Not offered
Travel: Up to 5%
Work Arrangement: On-site
Preferred Skills
- +Experience leading in an automated manufacturing environment, including multi‑team coordination and shift leadership.
- +Experience leading large-scale operational transformation, automation, or process improvement initiatives.
- +Demonstrated success leading Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Kaizen, Six Sigma, or Operational Excellence initiatives
Summary Pay Range
$97,530.00 - $146,290.00
Benefits
Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.
- •Medical, dental, and vision benefits*
- •Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*
- •401(k) savings plans*
- •Health Savings Account (HSA)*
- •Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*
- •Health Lifestyle Programs*
- •Employee Assistance Program*
- •Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*
- •Career Development*
- •Incentive bonus*
- •Disability benefits
- •Life Insurance
- •Parental leave
- •Adoption benefits
- •Tuition Reimbursement
- •These benefits also apply to part-time employees
Posting Dates
November 4, 2026 - November 29, 2026
Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.
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