5S Team Lead - 1st Shift

Career Area:

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.

Position Overview

The 5S Team Lead is responsible for leading, coordinating, and sustaining 5S efforts across assigned manufacturing/logistics areas. This role supports a clean, safe, efficient, and visually controlled workplace by coaching teams in disciplined work habits, improving workflow, reducing waste, and reinforcing standard work. The Team Lead partners with Section Managers, operations teams, Lean/CI resources, and frontline employees to identify abnormalities, remove barriers, document improvements, and maintain consistent standards across shifts and areas.

1st Shift Starting Pay: $25.10/hour

1st Shift Schedule: Monday-Thursday 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM & Friday 7:00 AM - 11:00 AM, Overtime as business needs require

Key Responsibilities

5S Implementation & Oversight

• Lead and facilitate 5S activities across assigned areas using Caterpillar’s structured 5S methodology.

• Guide teams through Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain, including proper use of Red Tags, point-of-use storage, and visual standards.

• Support development of a visual factory that exposes hidden waste such as excess motion, transportation, storage issues, and abnormal conditions.

• Assist Section Managers and production teams with plant-floor 5S activities, area layout, MRDR process support, CAV audit support, and other operational needs as assigned.

Workplace Organization & Visual Control

• Establish and maintain visual standards that define expected area condition at shift change, including layout diagrams, storage expectations, PPE requirements, emergency information, and other area-specific controls.

• Create, update, and maintain 5S documentation, standard work instructions, and visual controls to drive consistency and repeatability.

• Assess workplace conditions, storage practices, cleanliness, safety, flow, and overall area readiness.

Training & Employee Engagement

• Educate employees on 5S principles and the disciplined work habits required to sustain improvements.

• Coach work groups on using 5S as a practical tool for safety improvement, defect reduction, productivity, and continuous improvement.

• Partner with Lean/CI facilitators and cross-functional teams to support workshops, rapid improvement events, area transformations, and improvement idea reporting.

• Serve as a contributing team member who communicates across functions and helps align teams around expected standards.

Auditing, Compliance & Sustainment

• Conduct regular 5S audits using Caterpillar audit processes and support follow-up actions to maintain compliance and sustainment.

• Identify abnormalities in work areas and work with leaders and team members to address root causes.

• Reinforce standard work and respond quickly to deviations that impact safety, quality, delivery, or workflow stability.

Continuous Improvement & Leadership Communication

• Use independent decision-making and problem solving to complete assigned tasks, meet deadlines, and support area priorities.

• Support cross-functional teams in identifying waste and recommending practical improvement ideas.

• Document before-and-after improvements to show impact, recognize engagement, and support ongoing sustainment.

• Provide clear summaries, updates, and recommendations to leadership as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Previous experience with 5S implementation, workplace organization, industrial operations, or continuous improvement roles.

• Advanced computer skills and Caterpillar systems knowledge.

• Ability to operate industrial equipment such as forklifts and aerial lifts as required.

• Effective communication skills and the ability to work in a team-oriented environment.

• Strong analytical skills, problem identification skills, and practical problem-solving ability.

• Computer literacy with a strong math background.

• Ability to multitask, prioritize work, meet deadlines, and complete tasks with limited supervision.

• Mechanical, assembly, operations, industrial planning, manufacturing, or related logistics experience.

• Understanding of Caterpillar Production System principles, including 5S, Continuous Improvement Idea Reporting, Waste Elimination, and Standard Work.

• Ability to communicate cross-functionally and provide leadership summaries.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous leadership experience or experience acting as an area point-of-contact for operational excellence.

• Experience leading continuous improvement events, rapid improvement activities, or area transformations.

• Understanding of Assembly Planning Systems.

• AutoCAD experience.

• Knowledge of Six Sigma, Lean principles, quality systems, and defect reduction approaches.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to spend extended periods on the shop floor and sit or stand for prolonged periods.

• Ability to perform repetitive operations as needed.

• Ability to lift materials or objects when facilitating workplace organization, including lifting up to 35 lbs when required by job assignment.

• Ability to work overtime, weekends, and/or holidays as business needs require.

Why This Role Matters

• 5S is more than housekeeping. It enables safety, improves productivity, reduces defects, and supports sustainable continuous improvement.

• The 5S Team Lead helps convert standards into daily habits by creating visual controls, coaching teams, auditing sustainment, and removing barriers to stability.

• By supporting area readiness and disciplined execution, this role helps production teams improve flow, reduce waste, and maintain consistent expectations across shifts.

Summary Pay Range:

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-relatedknowledge, 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:

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.

Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.