Career Area:
Operations
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.
At Caterpillar, we work to help our customers build a better world. Without our team of talented, bright and driven individuals, we wouldn’t be the Caterpillar we are today. Now, this is your chance to join our team and do work that matters. We want you to help us enable customer success, make progress possible around the world and help our communities grow and thrive. We are looking for a dynamic, organized self-starter to join our Product Support and Logistics Division as a Shiploose Team Lead **in Lafayette, IN. **
Our Product Support and Logistics Division (PSLD) is one of the most innovative divisions within Caterpillar. In PSLD, as within all of Caterpillar, our priority is our customers and helping them build a better world. PSLD is responsible for the worldwide distribution of Cat aftermarket parts, integrated logistics, and global service to develop and support our global dealer network and customers.
We’re **committed **to our customers, who build a better world with our products, services and solutions. We understand and show the value of why they should always choose us. We’re exploring new ideas and opportunities –**innovating **to discover the breakthroughs necessary for tomorrow’s growth.
Please note: This position will remain in Lafayette, Indiana. It is not a role that is scheduled to move to Lebanon.
Job Summary
- The Shiploose Team Lead will assist the Section Manager in leading Team members, coordinating and delegating workflow and overseeing day to day operation of area; promoting cooperative team relationships, establishing and modifying priorities, gathering metrics, generating reports, overseeing work for multiple job classifications, etc. Occasionally performing various warehousing functions at a Caterpillar warehouse/distribution facility.
Additional Info:
- This role is for 1st shift 6:30am-2:30pm Monday-Friday
- Located in Lafayette, IN (1627 Veterans Memorial Pkwy E, Lafayette, IN 47905)
- Potential monthly attendance bonus of $200
- Relocation assistance is **not **offered for this position
- Candidates must be able to read, write and conduct business in English
- Ability to work overtime when required
**What You Will Do: **
- Operating heavy equipment including sit down forklifts, reach trucks, order pickers, and overhead hoists. Perform material handling and warehousing functions such as unloading, sorting, putting away, picking, packing and shipping parts, materials and supplies.
- Lead meetings with multifunctional team to track performance and drive results guiding daily priorities and change management
- Interface with customer and coordinate voice of customer to logistics team to improve processes and lead investigations on customer reported defects, including internal logistics customers
- Coordinate with logistics and external carriers to set up expedited shipments and oversee management of zones through targeting aged inventory, leading reconciliation and investigating root cause
- Regularly lead problem-solving events to drive continuous improvement and continuously managing training matrix to ensure team flexibility
- Accountable for tracking quality metrics and meeting Safety, Quality, Velocity and Cost goals and demonstrating safety excellence and enforcing safety policies and procedures
- Physical Skills: Must be able to lift up to 35 pounds individually, or up to 70 pounds as a team lift, and work in an environment with frequently changing temperatures. Work at heights of up to 30 feet from the floor. Push/pull product weighing up to 50 pounds for intervals of 10-15 minutes. Climb on and off order picker, reach truck and/or sit-down forklifts multiple times per day. Walk, squat and bend over for intervals of 15-30 minutes, with or without reasonable accommodation. Stand up to 8+ hours per day on concrete floor with or without limited movement. Climb up and down ladders of 6 feet with handrails and work in an environment with noise levels averaging up to 85 db per 8 hours.
Essential Job Functions:
- Occasionally lift parts up to 35 pounds individually or 70 pound as team lift
- Occasional bending, reaching and squatting while performing tasks
- Consistent usage of required PPE for task being performed
- Work in an environment with frequently changing temperatures
- Standing and/or sitting at a desk while performing tasks
**What You Have (Required Skills): **
Safety: Conducts daily maintenance and keeps tracking safety logs on equipment. Inspects working environment to promote safe work area. Utilizes personal protective equipment required or recommended for task at hand. Speak up if safety concerns are encountered, appropriate escalation if needed.
Warehouse Management: Directs, leads, and is able to perform basic warehousing activities such as receiving, putting away, picking, packing and shipping merchandise. Maintains item and inventory management records. Helps minimize bottlenecks and delays and the resulting impact on operating costs. Trains and assists with problem solving related to the use of real-time inventory software, to move materials where needed.
Customer Service Management: Demonstrates an understanding of the underlying concepts and values of a service organization. Seeks help, as needed, in satisfying customers. Identifies key characteristics of effective customer service. Cites examples of keeping the customer as the focal point of all team activity.
**Coaching Others: **Determines how coaching can be applied to a situation to help others to improve their skills. Observes skill practice; offers constructive feedback. Offers suggestions for performance or process improvement. Creates skill-practice opportunities for subject of coaching. Come to work with a positive attitude and ideas for continuous improvement.
Effective Communications: Uses verbal and non-verbal communication to receive direction and share ideas and job-related needs. Demonstrates both empathy and assertiveness when communicating a need or defending a position. Maintains focus on the topic at hand. Leads process improvement dialogue as needed.
What Will Put You Ahead (Preferred Skills):
- Previous leadership experience in a manufacturing or logistics operation
- Demonstrated Lean Manufacturing experience
What You Will Get:
- Starting wage is $23.80/hour (additional night shift premium for off shifts). Overtime opportunities paid at time and a half (some may be mandatory).
- Medical, dental, vision and prescription benefits starting day 1. 6% company match for 401k.Annual increases, based on your performance evaluation. Annual bonus potential based on personal and company performance. Time Off (Vacation & PTO) and Paid Holidays.
- Employee Assistance Programs providing financial advice, personal and group therapy, etc. College tuition assistance program available after 1 year employment. A safety focused workplace. Numerous avenues for personal and professional growth through training and upward movement within Caterpillar.
All eligible candidates MUST pass the following pre-employment screenings before they can be hired to Caterpillar:
- Background Screening
- Drug Screening
- Post-Offer Medical Questionnaire - clearance from Corporate Medical
Please frequently check the email associated with your application, including the junk/spam folder, as this is the primary correspondence method. If you wish to know the status of your application, please use the candidate log-in on our career website as it will reflect any updates to your status.
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 nearly 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.
Your work ethic, commitment to quality and eagerness to learn will help our customers do work that matters. Apply now!
Summary Pay Range:
$23.80 - $29.70
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
Posting Dates:
May 6, 2026 - May 13, 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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