Production Line Associate Jobs in Lafayette, IN (NOW HIRING)

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-AWS
About LPSD
The Large Power Systems Division (LPSD) is part of Caterpillar's Power & Energy segment. Through this global organization, Caterpillar designs and manufactures large (greater than 18 liters) diesel and natural gas engines, powertrains and key engine systems. LPSD products and solutions support customers across power generation, industrial, marine, oil & gas, rail, services and Cat® machine applications worldwide.
LPSD teams work across regions and function to deliver safe, reliable and compliant solutions that help solve our customers' toughest challenges.
About LEC (Lafayette Engine Center)
The Lafayette Engine Center (LEC) manufactures the Cat 3500, Cat 3600 and C175 engines helping Caterpillar become the world's leading manufacturer of off-highway diesel and natural gas engines.
The units built at LEC power mining trucks carrying ore to be processed, tugboats guiding ships to harbor, drill rigs tapping oil and gas reserves and generators bringing electricity to communities, hospitals and data centers
The Lafayette Engine Center in IN, has a Production Manager AWS role which oversees and coordinates the activities of a complex production line producing crankshafts for large diesel, natural gas, and alternative fuel reciprocating engines. This role prepares schedules, coordinates resources, resolves issues, and ensures adherence to safety and quality standards. This role is currently on day shift alternate work schedule (Mon/Tues/Wed) but may transition to a traditional 5-day work week on day or night shift in the future depending on business needs.
What you will do:

• Lead direct reports through significant process changes as production line is transformed through capital investments over the next 2 years.
• Collaboration with process partners in maintenance, supply chain, facilities engineering, manufacturing and design engineering, and quality to achieve goals in the areas of People, Quality, Velocity, and Cost
• Creating reports and records of production processes, tools issues, performance, and inventory; sharing them with managers and providing suggestions to improve safety, quality, productivity and cost.
• Preparing, maintaining, and updating documentation related to operating procedures and safety and quality standards; ensuring all processes and products meet desired safety and quality standards.
• Supervising and directing the daily activities of production line workers, assigning tasks, ensuring coordination between different teams, ensuring their safety and monitoring their performance.
• Training new hires, managing scheduling and work conflicts, monitoring safety, and promoting internal communication to create a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

Degree Requirement:

• High School Diploma, and/or associate's or bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

What will put you ahead:

• Experience working within an extended value stream methodology with cross departmental collaboration amongst operations, quality, manufacturing engineering, design engineering, supply chain & maintenance.
• Experience with engines and component manufacturing.
• Experience in a team Lead, or supervisory role in machine shop operations.
• Must demonstrate good interpersonal skills, be able to communicate with others, work as a part of a team and ability to work with a diverse group of employees and customers.
• Have a mechanical aptitude.
• Should possess effective motivational skills, a high degree of initiative and a strong customer focus.
• A history of delivering results through a series of roles with increasing responsibility.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and inspire a team.
• Previous supervisory or leadership experience.
• Experience with machining, precision gaging, and component cleanliness.
• Strong analytical ability.

What you will have:
Problem Solving: Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations.
Level Working Knowledge:

• Identifies and documents specific problems and resolution alternatives.
• Examines a specific problem and understands the perspective of each involved stakeholder.
• Develops alternative techniques for assessing accuracy and relevance of information.
• Helps to analyze risks and benefits of alternative approaches and obtain decision on resolution.
• Uses fact-finding techniques and diagnostic tools to identify problems.

Data Gathering & Analysis: Knowledge of data gathering and analysis tools, techniques, and processes; ability to collect and synthesize data from a variety of stakeholders and sources in an objective manner to reach a conclusion, goal, or judgment.
Level Basic Understanding:

• Describes alternative data-gathering techniques and tools.
• Documents basic data-gathering methodologies.
• Identifies the purposes of data gathering and analysis.
• Identifies key objectives in gathering and analyzing data.

Performance Management: Knowledge of successful performance management techniques; ability to apply organization's performance management system, practices, and tools to developing and improving individual, team, and organizational performance.
Level Working Knowledge:

• Identifies opportunities to enhance performance, e.g., practice assignments, training, shadowing.
• Ensures performance goals, checkpoints, and feedback focus on behaviors.
• Provides documented input to formal performance review conducted by manager.
• Observes individual performance and provides fair and objective feedback.
• Uses formal and informal rewards and recognition programs for employees.

Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.
Level Basic Understanding:

• Names specific tools or techniques that can be used to support the analytical thinking process.
• Describes specific software applications or products used for business analytics.
• Gives examples of how analytical thinking has been used to resolve problems.
• Helps others research and learn more about business analytics tools and applications.

Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
Level Working Knowledge:

• Applies an assigned technique for critical thinking in a decision-making process.
• Identifies, obtains, and organizes relevant data and ideas.
• Participates in documenting data, ideas, players, stakeholders, and processes.
• Recognizes, clarifies, and prioritizes concerns.
• Assists in assessing risks, benefits and consideration of alternatives.

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.
Level Working Knowledge:

• Raises awareness of potential bottlenecks and disruptions to the schedule.
• Breaks tasks into manageable steps that can be incorporated into a personal work plan.
• Escalates concerns over competing or conflicting priorities.
• Monitors progress continuously and adjusts tactics for handling situations on a case by case basis.
• Creates action plans that ensure the accomplishment of responsibilities.

Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.
Level Working Knowledge:

• Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors without offending the recipient.
• Listens to feedback without defensiveness and uses it for own communication effectiveness.
• Makes oral presentations and writes reports needed for own work.
• Avoids technical jargon when inappropriate.
• Looks for and considers non-verbal cues from individuals and groups.

Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision.
Level Basic Understanding:

• Explains the importance of accuracy in own function or unit.
• Identifies tasks or outputs that require accuracy and detail-level attention.
• Identifies the procedures for making sure that results are mistake-free.
• Describes consequences of errors within own unit or function.

Additional Information:

• This position is Lafayette, IN.
• Domestic relocation assistance is available for this position.
• This position may require up to 5% travel.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Candidates must attach an updated resume.

This Job Description is intended as a general guide to the job duties for this position and is intended for the purpose of establishing the specific salary grade. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive summary of all responsibilities, duties and effort required of employees assigned to this job. At the discretion of management, this description may be changed at any time to address the evolving needs of the organization. It is expressly not intended to be a comprehensive list of "essential job functions" as that term is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
#LI
Summary Pay Range:
$89,210.00 - $133,810.00
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:
August 6, 2026 - August 20, 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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