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 Summary: **
We’re looking for a collaborative and results-driven Section Manager (3rd Shift) to lead a team at our West Plains, Missouri facility in a fast-paced, around-the-clock operation.
In this role, you’ll provide both people leadership and operational guidance during critical overnight hours, ensuring your team delivers high-quality results aligned with business objectives. You’ll oversee shift operations, support team development, and drive execution across key initiatives during 3rd shift.
You’ll partner closely with day shift leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure smooth handoffs, resolve challenges, and maintain continuity across operations. This role plays a key part in supporting production, improving processes, and driving consistent performance at the West Plains site.
This is a great opportunity for someone who thrives in a leadership role, enjoys building strong teams, and is motivated to make a meaningful impact in a shift-based manufacturing environment.
What You Will Do:
- Lead and oversee 3rd shift operations at the West Plains, Missouri facility, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality production
- Provide day-to-day people leadership, including coaching, performance management, and team development
- Drive execution of production goals, ensuring alignment with quality, delivery, and cost objectives
- Partner with day shift leadership and cross-functional teams to ensure smooth handoffs and operational continuity across shifts
- Monitor performance metrics, identify gaps, and implement actions to improve productivity, quality, and efficiency
- Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance processes, reduce downtime, and optimize operations
- Ensure adherence to safety standards, policies, and procedures, promoting a strong safety-first culture
- Address and resolve operational issues in a timely manner, minimizing disruptions to production
- Communicate updates, priorities, and performance results clearly to leadership and team members
- Foster a collaborative, accountable, and engaged team environment to support overall site performance
What skills you will have:
Performance Management: Experience leading and developing teams within a fast-paced, shift-based environment. Applies performance management practices to drive accountability, improve individual and team performance, and support employee growth. Provides coaching, feedback, and guidance while fostering a positive, engaged, and results-driven team culture**.**
Planning and Organizing: Demonstrates strong ability to plan and prioritize work, manage resources, and coordinate shift activities to meet production and operational goals. Effectively adjusts priorities in response to changing conditions, ensuring alignment with business needs and maintaining continuity across shifts. Uses a structured approach to organize tasks and drive execution.
Problem Solving: Applies a practical and disciplined approach to identifying and resolving operational and process-related challenges. Quickly assesses issues, determines root causes, and implements effective solutions to minimize disruption during shift operations. Escalates concerns when needed and supports continuous improvement efforts.
Effective Communications: Communicates clearly and effectively with team members, leadership, and cross-functional partners. Supports smooth shift handoffs by sharing key updates, priorities, and performance information. Listens actively, ensures understanding, and promotes open, transparent communication within a 3rd shift environment.
Top Candidates will also have:
- Microsoft office 365 and SAP experience
- Previous experience leading production in a complex manufacturing environment
- Leadership and/or participation in facility safety initiatives
- Process improvement experience
- Lean manufacturing experience
- Ability to work cross functionally with multiple work groups
**Additional Information: **
This position requires the candidate to work onsite five days a week at the West Plaines, MO office and supports a 3rd shift schedule with a Sunday start.
Domestic relocation assistance is available for this position.
Visa sponsorship is NOT available with this position.
This position may require up to 10% travel.
Summary Pay Range:
$72,360.00 - $108,540.00
Compensation 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.
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
This position requires working onsite five days a week.
Relocation is available for this position.
Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Posting Dates:
June 10, 2026 - June 24, 2026
Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.
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