Senior Team Leader Operations

Career Area

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

Job Summary:

Key Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Management:
• Lead, mentor, and supervise a team of paint quality inspectors and technicians.
• Assign tasks, set priorities, and ensure efficient workflow within the paint quality team.
• Provide constructive feedback and identify training needs for team members.
• Foster a positive and collaborative team environment.
• Ensure adherence to safety protocols and company policies.
• Quality Assurance & Control:
• Develop, implement, and maintain paint quality inspection procedures and standards.
• Oversee and conduct visual inspections and measurements of painted surfaces for defects (e.g., runs, sags, orange peel, fisheyes, inclusions, poor adhesion, colour variation, dry film thickness).
• Utilize and calibrate paint testing equipment (e.g., gloss meters, spectrophotometers, adhesion testers, thickness gauges).
• Ensure all painted products conform to design specifications, customer requirements, and industry standards (e.g., ISO & CAT standards).
• Monitor and control critical paint process parameters (e.g., temperature, humidity, curing times, spray gun settings).
• Identify, document, and report non-conforming paint issues.
• Initiate and follow up on corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) for paint quality defects.
• Participate in root cause analysis for recurring paint quality problems.
• Process Improvement:
• Collaborate with production, engineering, and Manufacturing Engineering teams to optimize paint processes and reduce defects.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in paint application, curing, and inspection methods.
• Implement lean manufacturing and Six Sigma principles to enhance paint quality and efficiency.
• Conduct trials and evaluate new paint materials or application techniques.
• Documentation & Reporting:
• Maintain accurate and detailed records of paint quality inspections, test results, and non-conformances.
• Generate regular reports on paint quality performance, trends, and key metrics.
• Prepare and present quality data to management and relevant stakeholders.
• Training & Development:
• Provide training to team members on paint quality standards, inspection techniques, and the use of testing equipment.
• Stay updated on new paint technologies, quality methodologies, and industry best practices.
• Customer & Supplier Interaction:
• May interact with customers to understand their paint quality requirements and address concerns.
• May collaborate with paint suppliers to resolve material-related quality issues.
  

Required Qualifications

• Education: Diploma (Mechanical, Chemical, Industrial, or Materials), Coatings Technology, or a related technical field. Equivalent practical experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Experience:
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience in paint quality control, paint application, or a related field within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience in a team leadership or supervisory role.
• Technical Skills:
• In-depth knowledge of various paint types, application methods (e.g., spray, powder coating, electrocoating), and curing processes.
• Proficiency in using paint inspection and testing equipment (e.g., gloss meters, colorimeters, dry film thickness gauges, adhesion testers, impact testers).
• Strong understanding of quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001).
• Familiarity with statistical process control (SPC) and other quality improvement methodologies.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, and quality standards.
  

• Soft Skills:
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Detail-oriented with a high level of accuracy.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  

Posting Dates