Manager Production Scheduling

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.

We are seeking a skilled, strategic, and empathetic Production Scheduling Manager to lead scheduling operations in a complex manufacturing environment. This role owns the facility’s S&OP process, aligning production plans with cross-functional inputs from Engineering, Finance, Operations, Procurement, HR, and Logistics. The incumbent will lead and mentor a team of Demand & Orders, production scheduling, and Cycle Counts, ensuring the development and execution of efficient, responsive, and well-governed production schedules. Demonstrates strong capabilities in production planning, process management, and production control, with advanced analytical skills. This role requires a proactive leader focused on continuous improvement, documentation excellence, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure schedule reliability and operational success.

Own and lead the S&OP process within the plant, coordinating with Engineering, Finance, Operations, Procurement, HR, and Logistics to develop and maintain a successful and executable production plan. Develop and communicate tactical and strategic production schedules, ensuring alignment with customer demand, capacity constraints, and business goals. Mentor a team of Production Schedulers and Cycle Counters, fostering a culture of accountability, empathy, and continuous improvement. Act as a thought leader and idea generator, driving innovation in scheduling efficiency and supply chain integration. Utilize MRP systems and advanced planning tools to generate and optimize production schedules across fabrication, welding, and painting processes. Lead process management initiatives to evaluate, diagnose, and optimize scheduling workflows. Promote governance of documentation excellence in design, implement, and monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for scheduling and production control, ensuring clarity, compliance, and audit readiness. Lead problem-solving efforts to resolve scheduling conflicts and bottlenecks, applying structured methodologies and capturing lessons learned. Monitor and improve forecasting accuracy, integrating inputs from multiple sources and leveraging historical data to support demand planning. Ensure effective communication across all levels of the organization, adapting messaging to different audiences and promoting transparency in scheduling decisions. Use Excel and/or Power BI to analyze production data, generate insights, and report performance metrics to stakeholders. Perform as an SME regarding Demand & Orders, Production Planning, Scheduling, and control.

Requirement Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, business management, computer science, or related field. Conversational English (Intermediate to Advanced Level) What skills will you have Planning: Tactical, Strategic Advanced skills in strategic production planning, across short-, mid-, and long-term horizons. Strong knowledge of resource alignment, optimizing personnel, equipment, and materials. Demonstrated capacity to lead and integrate S&OP processes. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and reporting tools Process Management Strong governance in SOP development, ensuring clarity, compliance, and audit readiness. Demonstrated ability to drive continuous improvement, reducing lead times and increasing schedule adherence. Problem Solving Advanced problem-solving capabilities, including root cause analysis and preventive action planning.