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.

Continuous Improvement (CI) Lead – 1st Shift

$5,000 Sign On Bonus

Location: Lafayette, Indiana

Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance, Incentives/Bonus Opportunities, Matching 401k, available first day of employment.

www.caterpillar.com/careers : Apply online and create a candidate account.

CATERPILLAR - WE BUILD WHAT MATTERS

What matters most to you?  Is it being part of a strong team? Supporting your family? Solving global problems? You can do these and more at Caterpillar; where your work enables progress around the globe, and you contribute to meaningful work. Together, we can build what matters!

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.

The Continuous Improvement Lead will coordinate projects between Machine Shop value streams and Maintenance to improve Machine Shop equipment conditions for producing quality products on a timely basis. Manage detailed projects by scheduling specified repair requirements with production and maintenance to minimize downtime and produce maximum efficiencies and productivity. Evaluate equipment for improvements and upgrades, obtain quotes, order parts, and coordinate all trades, groups, or contractors required to complete the project. Use proactive and predictive maintenance (TPM) methods to schedule repair activities on machines, thus reducing breakdowns and reactive measures. The CI Lead will be the prime resource for special assignments when emergencies arise on equipment. The individual will also be responsible for ensuring that proper equipment documentation is received on new equipment and documentation is updated as necessary after machine upgrades. Support and maintain an effective lubrication program as required. Direct and procure OEM Service Contracts for machine upgrade projects and rebuilds as required. Track maintenance cost, cost avoidance, machine downtime/availability, and reoccurring machine problems for future analysis and corrective actions. Assist in developing reliability centered maintenance as a strategy for the team. Create and ensure Preventative Maintenance is being completed correctly. Support the Facilities Engineering Manager’s in every manner as prescribed by the needs of our customers. i.e. strong commitment, sense of urgency, etc.

Job Duties/ Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

New Capital Investment (NCI), Continuous Improvement, Process Control

• Writing and receiving of PO’s
  • Send RFQ’s to suppliers and utilization of NextGen/Coupa for purchase
• Scheduling and coordinating projects
  • Shutdown projects, upgrades repairs – compiling and scheduling
  • Enforce accountability of contractors performing work
• Customer support
  • Collaboration with management on prioritization
  • Personable and professional, representing Caterpillar well

• Continuous Improvement
  • Process standardization
  • 5S, departmental organization
  • Monitoring performance and maintaining reliability of all assets
• Spare part process and part commonality
  • Identification and sourcing of legacy parts
  • Alignment legacy equipment with new spare parts fulfillment strategy
• Asset Rebuild or Replacement
  • Source opportunities to refurbish or replace assets beyond useful life
  • Track safety compliance of all assets
  • Support modernization and safety upgrade projects throughout facility
• Project support during absences and coverage of machine shop value streams
  • Weekend rotation (as need basis) of machine shop (Saturday and Sunday)
  • Coverage assistance when others are absent

• Support customer through gathering parts where needed
  • Follow up on customer requests for improvement areas and part needs
• Provide crib support and retrieving parts from offsite cribs as needed
  • Cover weekend crib needs via radio and technician ordering
• Participating in customer project review(s)
  • Project charters pertaining to areas of responsibility
  • NCI project planning and ordering, support of customer planning needs
• Consistent communication and follow-up with customers
  • Thorough communication and follow-through on all customer needs
• NCI project review
  • Capital investments into cranes, vehicles, and machine needs

Other Requirements

• Candidate must be willing to work the required necessary overtime to complete projects and support the customer. 
• Candidate must possess a strong ability to have positive customer interaction and be able to work with anyone at any time to support the goals of the maintenance organization. 
• Candidate will be required to stay in the section for 18 months except for a promotion.

Basic Qualifications:

• Experience coordinating maintenance tasks and/or project management.
• Experience preparing and submitting Purchase Orders.
• Ability to source parts from various suppliers.
• Ability to read and interpret prints and schematics.

Top Candidate will also have:

• Skilled and experienced with preventative and predictive maintenance practices and technology.
• Ability to communicate and build strong relationships with internal/external customers/stakeholders.
• Strong commitment to safety and teamwork.

Physical Requirements:

• Candidates for all positions must have the ability to work in a fast pace, medium to heavy duty assembly, and technical environment. 
• Work may involve frequent bending, stooping, and kneeling, twisting, turning, climbing, and standing on concrete for 8+ hours. 
• All positions also require the ability to lift 40 pounds and withstand frequent repetitive movement of hands with a variety of tooling.

Additional Information:

• Location of this position is in Lafayette, IN
• Shift: 1st Shift (7:30 am to 3:30 pm)
• Relocation assistance is available to eligible candidates
• 18 days / 144 hours of paid Personal Time Off (PTO) - (Prorated based upon start date)
• 11 Paid holidays
• Climate controlled work environment – most areas
• Clean/safe work environment
• Please attach an updated resume

Please ensure you frequently check the e-mail account you provided on your application, including the spam/junk folder, as this is the primary correspondence method in our recruiting process.

 Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. This employer is not currently hiring foreign national applicants that require or will require sponsorship tied to a specific employer, such as, H, L, TN, F, J, E, O. As a global company, Caterpillar offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S which can be found through our employment website at www.caterpillar.com/careers.

#LI

Summary Pay Range:

$41.15 - $52.35

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:

October 15, 2025 - October 22, 2025

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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