Lean Quality Manager

Career Area:

Strategy

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.

Lean Quality Manager

Location: Victoria, TX

Position Summary

Caterpillar is seeking a Lean Quality Manager to lead the integration of Lean Manufacturing principles and Quality Management Systems across the Victoria facility. This role is responsible for driving continuous improvement, operational excellence, and product quality through strategic leadership, Lean deployment, project execution, and quality system management. The successful candidate will lead cross-functional teams, influence organizational change, and deliver measurable improvements in People, Quality, Velocity, and Cost (PQVC) performance. 

What You Can Look Forward to in This Role

• Serve as a strategic leader for the manufacturing operation, driving both Lean transformation and quality excellence across multiple value streams. 

• Lead, coach, and execute continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to improve operational performance and customer satisfaction. 

• Oversee quality management systems, ensuring compliance with customer requirements, regulatory standards, and Caterpillar quality objectives. 

• Lead multiple teams including quality professionals, inspectors, project managers, and continuous improvement practitioners. 

• Develop and implement quality assurance strategies, corrective actions, preventive measures, and control plans that improve product quality and reliability. 

• Utilize Lean tools, Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen events, Six Sigma DMAIC methodology, and standard work practices to eliminate waste and improve productivity. 

• Coach employees and leaders on Lean principles, quality systems, problem-solving methodologies, and continuous improvement practices. 

• Build strong partnerships across operations, engineering, supply chain, and leadership teams to remove barriers and achieve business objectives. 

• Monitor key performance indicators and use data-driven decision making to improve safety, quality, employee engagement, operational velocity, and cost performance. 

• Analyze trends in internal and external non-conformance, leading root cause analysis and sustainable corrective actions. 

Key Responsibilities

Lean Leadership

• Lead facility-wide Lean deployment and transformation initiatives across multiple value streams.

• Serve as the site Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Lean tools, methodologies, and execution.

• Facilitate Lean assessments and prioritize improvement opportunities.

• Develop and deliver Lean training programs and workshops for employees and leaders.

• Drive a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence. 

Quality Leadership

• Oversee administration, compliance, and continual improvement of the Quality Management System (QMS).

• Ensure effective implementation of quality standards, processes, and auditing practices.

• Lead quality investigations, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and preventive actions.

• Partner with engineering and production teams to resolve quality concerns and improve manufacturing performance.

• Review and communicate quality metrics, trends, and improvement opportunities with facility leadership. 

Team and Project Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop managers, team leaders, quality specialists, and continuous improvement professionals.

• Manage complex improvement programs and projects from identification through implementation and sustainment.

• Establish cross-functional networks to secure resources and remove organizational roadblocks.

• Promote professional project management techniques and accountability across teams. 

Required Skills and Competencies

• Lean Manufacturing leadership and deployment experience.

• Strong knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS) and quality assurance principles.

• Six Sigma DMAIC methodology and statistical problem-solving expertise.

• Project and program management experience.

• Decision making and critical thinking skills.

• Process improvement and continuous improvement leadership.

• Strong influencing and change management capabilities.

• Planning, organizing, and execution excellence.

• Root cause analysis and problem-solving expertise.

• Relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Ability to analyze data and drive business decisions based on performance metrics. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

• Extensive experience leading facility-wide Lean deployment initiatives.

• Demonstrated success leading quality organizations within a manufacturing environment.

• Significant experience with Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, and continuous improvement methodologies.

• Proven ability to communicate effectively with facility and senior leadership.

• Experience leading through organizational change and influencing across functions.

• Demonstrated success managing multiple teams and complex projects simultaneously. 

Additional Information

• Primary location: Victoria, Texas.

• Relocation assistance is not available.

• Sponsorship is not available for this position. 

This position combines strategic ownership of both Lean Manufacturing deployment and Quality Management Systems, serving as the site's leader for continuous improvement, operational excellence, and product quality performance.

Summary Pay Range:

$112,710.00 - $169,060.00

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

Posting Dates:

November 5, 2026 - November 18, 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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