Fabrications 5S Specialist - 1st Shift

About the Role

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.

The 5S Coordinator/Specialist is responsible for implementing, sustaining, and continuously improving 5S practices—Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain—to create a clean, safe, efficient, and visually controlled workplace. This role supports operational excellence by enabling teams to eliminate waste, improve workflow, and maintain consistent standards through disciplined work habits.

5S is not just “cleaning”—Caterpillar’s 5S standards emphasize:

• Enabling safety
• Improving productivity
• Reducing defects
• Supporting sustainable continuous improvement practices

Responsibilities

• 5S Implementation & Oversight
  • Lead and facilitate 5S activities across assigned areas, ensuring adherence to Caterpillar’s structured 5S methodology.
  • Guide teams through Sort, Set, Shine, Standardize, Sustain according to company standards, including proper use of Red Tags, point-of-use storage, and visual standard practices.
  • Ensure the 5S process supports creation of a “visual factory” and exposes hidden waste such as excess motion and transportation.
• Workplace Organization & Visual Control
  • Establish visual standards that define how areas should look at shift change. Standards may include layout diagrams, PPE requirements, and emergency information.
  • Create, update, and maintain 5S documentation and standard work instructions to ensure uniformity and repeatability.
• Training & Employee Engagement
  • Educate employees on 5S principles and disciplined work habits needed to sustain improvements.
  • Coach work groups on using 5S as a tool for continuous improvement, defect reduction, and safety enhancement.
  • Partner with Lean/CI facilitators for workshops, rapid improvement events, or area transformations.
• Auditing & Compliance
  • Conduct regular 5S audits to ensure compliance and sustainment using Caterpillar’s audit processes.
  • Identify abnormalities in work areas and work with leaders to resolve root causes.
• Continuous Improvement
  • Support cross-functional teams in identifying waste and recommending improvement ideas.
  • Help maintain stability in work areas by reinforcing standard work and addressing deviations immediately.
  • Document before/after improvements to show impact and encourage engagement.

Requirements

• Technical Understanding
  • Lean methodologies and CPS principles (5S, Standard Work, Waste Elimination, Kaizen).
  • Ability to identify abnormal vs. normal conditions at a glance through visual management.
• Operational
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Ability to assess workplace conditions, storage practices, cleanliness, safety, and workflow.
• Leadership / Soft Skills
  • Effective communication across cross-functional teams.
  • Ability to train, influence, and engage frontline employees.
  • Problem-solving abilities to address barriers to 5S sustainment.
• Physical & Work Environment
  • Ability to spend extended periods on the shop floor.
  • Ability to lift materials or objects when facilitating workplace organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in Lean deployment, workplace organization, industrial operations, or continuous improvement roles.
• Experience leading CI events or acting as an area point-of-contact for operational excellence.

Pay

Starting pay: $20.20/hour. Summary pay range: $20.20 - $25.25.

Schedule

1st Shift: Monday-Friday, 6:15 AM - 2:15 PM. Overtime as business needs require.

Benefits

Caterpillar offers a total rewards package that provides Day ONE benefits, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid time off (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
• Quarterly goal sharing program

These benefits also apply to part-time employees.