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 Title: Director of Manufacturing Operations: Desford UK Facility

Salary: £ 104,798  -  £ 130,997

Contract: Permanent

Location:  Desford, UK

Relocation: Relocation within the UK offered (incumbent to reside withing the locality of the facility)

Hiring Manager: Rob Walker

Closing Date: August 4th to August 15th, 2025

Job Reference: R0000316483 

About Us:

With 2024 sales and revenues of $64.8 billion, Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives.

For 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.

Caterpillar does business on every continent, principally operating through three primary segments – Construction Industries, Resource Industries and Energy & Transportation – and providing financing and related services through our Financial Products segment.

Role Definition
Caterpillar is seeking a Director of Manufacturing Operations for our Desford, UK facility which is part of Caterpillar’s Construction Industries Segment and more specifically the Building Construction Products Division.

This leader will oversee and direct large plant operations including production and manufacturing, maintenance, engineering support, safety, regulatory compliance, distribution and warehousing. Additionally, responsible for all facility activities with an intense focus on safety, quality and lean practice.  This leader will drive efficiency and process improvement to enhance competitive value whilst creating products that serve and delight our customers.  

The Construction Industries Segment is comprised seven divisions - Building Construction Products (BCP), China Operations, Construction Industries Services (CISD), Earthmoving, Excavation (EXD), and Global Construction & Infrastructure (GCI), Cat Rental & Used, as well as the Construction Industries Supply Management (CISM) group.  

Building Construction Products (BCP) Division is responsible for the design, operations, procurement, sales, marketing, and product support of Caterpillar’s compact, versatile construction machines and attachments business. 

What you will do:
• Direct 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.
• Manage development, implementation and continual improvement of the operating methods, equipment, systems and other operating infrastructure used to realize operating goals and objectives.
• Direct 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.
• Ensure customer satisfaction, developing and maintaining processes, managing the operating systems and maintaining the facility. Must meet key indicators, demonstrating improvement in cost reduction, asset turns, period costs and total employment.

• Lead the facility in the day-to-day operational outcomes, manage site investment, teach and lead by example best practice safety and quality behaviors. Also, responsible for the ongoing development and execution of the site strategy, talent development and regulatory compliance.

• Accountable for Manufacturing, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, E&HS and site services. Manage the development of the site including all asset replacements and advancements in technology to improve performance and lead any resumption planning. 

• Talent Management and Development: Pipeline candidates and future role evolution are included in the remit. Lead the cultural development of the team where you will lead with CAT values to foster a safe environment, one that encourages the team to innovate, challenge and act on improvement ideas and strategies. 

• Responsible for cross-functional leadership within the facility and be the final voice in the facility for the decision-making process. A clear understanding of the People, Quality, Velocity and Cost drivers within an operation are essential as well as an ability to work across the functional groups to deliver on time, to cost programs from New Product Introduction (NPI), Facility upgrade programs and Value stream transformation works.
• Acting as the voice and champion of the customer’s requirements, leading the business to ensure on time delivery of products that meet the expectations of quality. A knowledge of the tools of 6 Sigma, Quality Management and action to give customer feedback will be essential to prioritizing working load and improved customer satisfaction.

• Provide robust governance on all issues and project timelines, ensuring actions are implemented on time or any investments are properly measured to meet the intended outcomes.

What you will have (Skills and Experience):

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.
• Interprets results of quantitative and statistical tools and explains results to others.
• 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.
• Develops programs for motivating employees to meet or exceed quality goals.

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.
• Optimizes time, tools, and resources to achieve desired results.
• Manages links among multiple projects and anticipates the impact of the project's outcome on all concerned.
• Synthesizes pertinent information to plan a course of action.
• Documents plans with clear objectives, action steps, accountabilities, resource requirements and timelines.
• Tracks successes in order to establish processes viewed as effective for the entire enterprise.
• Specifies the underlying assumptions related to designated work.


Manufacturing Operations:

Knowledge of manufacturing operations; ability to perform day-to-day operations of a manufacturing plant or facility for products.
• Builds a monitoring system to track manufacturing operation activities.
• Sets and oversees all operational routines for departments and staff.
• Oversees proper safety and security procedures to ensure accreditation approval.
• Designs strategies to minimize machinery problems and safety risks within the organization.
• Develops plans for movement of products through lines to processing, storage, and shipping units.
• Leads discussions on the history and evolution of manufacturing plants and associated services and functions.

Manufacturing Safety:

Knowledge of manufacturing safety; ability to identify work-related hazards and perform necessary activities to meet regulatory requirements for the safety and protection of workers, environment and site.
• Consults on the use of new tools and techniques for safety protection.
• Performs safety inspections to assure compliance with OSHA requirements.
• Designs and implements emergency response processes and procedures.
• Promotes workplace safety among supervisors and workers; communicates safety rules and regulations.
• Assesses and reports unusual or new safety hazards or violations; initiates corrective action.
• Ensures that all employees and contractors comply with relevant safety policies and regulations.

Manufacturing Standards, Procedures and Policies:

Knowledge of organizational standards, procedures and policies in manufacturing activities; ability to plan, guide, and monitor manufacturing processes for compliance.
• Consults on development and implementation of cross-functional standards.
• Participates in the development of organizational policies and practices.
• Develops and uses control and monitoring mechanisms for adherence.
• Collaborates with other functions on establishing and documenting joint standards.
• Participates in defining architectural principles and standards for organization.
• Ensures communication vehicles are effectively informing affected areas and employees.

Additional Requirements:

• Requires a college degree and/or considerable company experience with solid business management skills, plus Production Systems processes and tools knowledge.

• Technical understanding of the manufacturing and material selection process, Operations Business System, Lean Capabilities Fundamentals, and a strong grasp of budgetary management.

• Extensive years of progressively responsible job-related experience are typically required.

• Strong management, motivational and problem-solving skills along with good human relations and communications skills.

•  Strong working knowledge of labour rules and regulations, as well as the UK laws and regulations related to Operational works.

Additional Details:

• This role is on-site, five days a week.

• Location: This role is based out of the Desford, UK facility. Relocation within the UK is offered for this role.

• Sponsorship is not offered for this role.

• This position is eligible for stock or other equity grants pursuant to Caterpillar’s long-term incentive plan.

Posting Dates:

August 4, 2025 - August 15, 2025

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

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