Manufacturing IT Operations Manager – Sanford Advanced Manufacturing

Career Area:

Technology, Digital and Data

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.

Caterpillar is developing a new advanced manufacturing campus in Sanford, North Carolina, to expand production capacity for compact track loaders and telehandlers. The modern, technology-enabled operation is expected to incorporate automation, robotics, digital production systems and integrated logistics capabilities to enhance safety, quality and operational performance. Employees will help build the products our customers rely on while developing skills in advanced manufacturing and supporting the continued growth of Caterpillar’s Cat Compact business.

  Job Summary  The Manufacturing IT Operations Manager will be accountable for IT partnership with Operations, internal Caterpillar IT teams and service providers to support the startup of a new advanced manufacturing facility in Sanford, North Carolina. This leader will align infrastructure, cybersecurity, cloud, edge, network, data, application, and support-model decisions to Caterpillar enterprise standards and the requirements of a complex manufacturing environment.  

Smart manufacturing is an important part of the context, but the core of the role is partnering with Operations, coordinating Caterpillar IT teams, service providers, vendors, and project stakeholders to successfully deliver, operationalize, and support the facility. The role is accountable for ensuring the right resources are engaged, decisions are made in a timely manner, risks are addressed, and the site is ready to operate and support manufacturing at launch and beyond.

What You Will Do  Coordinate Caterpillar IT teams, architects, service providers, and technical specialists to ensure technology solutions align with enterprise standards, business priorities, and long-term operating needs. Navigate Caterpillar’s enterprise technology, manufacturing, cybersecurity, infrastructure, application, vendor, and site teams to bring the right expertise to the table at the right time.  Support smart manufacturing priorities by enabling capabilities such as connected equipment, automation, production visibility, industrial data, analytics, and manufacturing systems through the effective deployment of supporting technology platforms and infrastructure.

Facilitate alignment across information technology and operational technology teams so requirements, dependencies, ownership, cybersecurity, supportability, and implementation risks are understood early.  Translate business and manufacturing needs into implementation plans, operational priorities, support models, and delivery activities that enable successful facility launch and sustained operations. Ensure appropriate architecture reviews, governance processes, support models, documentation, training, and operational standards are established through the relevant Caterpillar IT teams and technical specialists.

Evaluate technology platforms and vendors by balancing business value, technical feasibility, cybersecurity, safety, scalability, implementation risk, and total cost of ownership.  Develop roadmaps that sequence foundational capabilities, reduce technology debt, and move solutions from pilots to reliable operations.  Lead the transition from project delivery to operational support by…