Operations Lead Jobs in Indiana
Operations Lead jobs in Indiana are consistently in demand, with strong hiring concentrated in manufacturing, logistics, and distribution sectors that anchor the state's economy. Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Columbus are the primary hiring hubs, where major employers like Cummins, Eli Lilly, and Amazon have lasting operations footprints. The most sought-after specialties include warehouse operations, production floor leadership, and supply chain coordination. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find Operations Lead JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 30+ Operations Lead jobs
If you are currently employed at Smithfield, please log into Workday and submit your application through the Jobs Hub.
Have a seat at our table. When you join Smithfield, you become part of something special – a company that's sustainably feeding people around the world, producing good food the right way with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet. With opportunities across locations and functions, a culture grounded in our Core Four values - gratitude, communication, respect and accountability - and a strong commitment to learning, collaboration, and innovation, Smithfield offers challenging and rewarding careers where you can grow, contribute and make a real impact. Apply Now!
Your Opportunity
Our team members receive industry-leading wages and are eligible for great benefits packages:
- Hourly Competitive Starting Pay – $23.85/hour
- $1.00/hour shift differential for 2nd shift positions
- Comprehensive Health Insurance, Retirement Benefits and More.
- Education benefit available to full and part-time Smithfield team members upon meeting eligibility requirements.
In addition, we offer opportunities for career growth and professional development.
The Value You’ll Bring
As a Production Lead team member at Smithfield Foods, you’ll play a key role in delivering safe, high-quality food by performing essential production tasks and supporting your coworkers. Your reliability, attention to detail, and strong work ethic will help us meet our standards for safety, quality, and teamwork every day.
You’ll contribute to a positive work environment, help maintain a safe and efficient production line, and ensure our products reach families across America. Your dedication and willingness to learn will make a real difference—both to your team and to our mission of delivering good food, responsibly.
What You’ll Do
Production Leads will work with hand tools, knives, machinery and other equipment to process meat products for the consumer. Leads will support the management team by understanding the full operations of the line, as well as supporting training and development of production employees. These positions can be physically demanding and require good hand-eye coordination, and attention to detail. Production Leads must be able to work their scheduled shift and may be required to work overtime depending on production demands.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
Applicants must be willing and able to:
- Understand and follow oral and written instructions
- Perform a task requiring continuous/repetitive movement, including grasping, pinching hands, flexing, and extending arms
- Stand on concrete and/or platforms for up to a 12-hour shift
- Work around animal blood and/or carcass parts
- Work with a knife (if trained)
- Work in cold areas (approximately 20-40 degrees) and/or warm areas (over 100 degrees)
- Work in an environment that is wet and humid
- Work while wearing a hard hat, hearing/eye protection, and steel-toed safety shoes
- Work in a noisy environment using personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Work with sanitation/cleaning chemicals
- Work around strong smells/odors
- Climb/move on ladders, steps, stairways, walkways and platforms
- Bend, stoop, and twist repetitively over the course of an entire shift
- Walk long distances
- May require certification in order to operate various pieces of equipment required for the position
- This work is physically demanding and can require the use of some or all body parts and muscle groups. Some positions may require repetitive overhead lifting up to 30 lbs, single lifting of heavy objects which can weigh up to 60 lbs, or lifting of objects using mechanical assistance.
- Additional essential functions may be applicable to specific jobs.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.






EEO Information
Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.
If you are currently employed at Smithfield, please log into Workday and submit your application through the Jobs Hub.
Have a seat at our table. When you join Smithfield, you become part of something special – a company that's sustainably feeding people around the world, producing good food the right way with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet. With opportunities across locations and functions, a culture grounded in our Core Four values - gratitude, communication, respect and accountability - and a strong commitment to learning, collaboration, and innovation, Smithfield offers challenging and rewarding careers where you can grow, contribute and make a real impact. Apply Now!
Your Opportunity
Our team members receive industry-leading wages and are eligible for great benefits packages:
- Hourly Competitive Starting Pay – $23.85/hour
- $1.00/hour shift differential for 2nd shift positions
- Comprehensive Health Insurance, Retirement Benefits and More.
- Education benefit available to full and part-time Smithfield team members upon meeting eligibility requirements.
In addition, we offer opportunities for career growth and professional development.
The Value You’ll Bring
As a Production Lead team member at Smithfield Foods, you’ll play a key role in delivering safe, high-quality food by performing essential production tasks and supporting your coworkers. Your reliability, attention to detail, and strong work ethic will help us meet our standards for safety, quality, and teamwork every day.
You’ll contribute to a positive work environment, help maintain a safe and efficient production line, and ensure our products reach families across America. Your dedication and willingness to learn will make a real difference—both to your team and to our mission of delivering good food, responsibly.
What You’ll Do
Production Leads will work with hand tools, knives, machinery and other equipment to process meat products for the consumer. Leads will support the management team by understanding the full operations of the line, as well as supporting training and development of production employees. These positions can be physically demanding and require good hand-eye coordination, and attention to detail. Production Leads must be able to work their scheduled shift and may be required to work overtime depending on production demands.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
Applicants must be willing and able to:
- Understand and follow oral and written instructions
- Perform a task requiring continuous/repetitive movement, including grasping, pinching hands, flexing, and extending arms
- Stand on concrete and/or platforms for up to a 12-hour shift
- Work around animal blood and/or carcass parts
- Work with a knife (if trained)
- Work in cold areas (approximately 20-40 degrees) and/or warm areas (over 100 degrees)
- Work in an environment that is wet and humid
- Work while wearing a hard hat, hearing/eye protection, and steel-toed safety shoes
- Work in a noisy environment using personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Work with sanitation/cleaning chemicals
- Work around strong smells/odors
- Climb/move on ladders, steps, stairways, walkways and platforms
- Bend, stoop, and twist repetitively over the course of an entire shift
- Walk long distances
- May require certification in order to operate various pieces of equipment required for the position
- This work is physically demanding and can require the use of some or all body parts and muscle groups. Some positions may require repetitive overhead lifting up to 30 lbs, single lifting of heavy objects which can weigh up to 60 lbs, or lifting of objects using mechanical assistance.
- Additional essential functions may be applicable to specific jobs.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.






EEO Information
Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.
See All 30 Operations Lead Jobs in Indiana
Find roles in Indiana that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Operations Lead JobsOperations Lead Jobs by City in Indiana
Where Indiana roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Operations Lead Job Market in Indiana
A snapshot from current Indiana openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Indiana Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in operations lead jobs across Indiana.
- Two or more years of team leadership or supervisory experience in an operations environment
- Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, or a related field preferred by most Indiana employers
- Demonstrated ability to manage daily workflow, staffing, and production or fulfillment targets
- Proficiency with inventory management systems, ERP platforms, or warehouse management software
- Strong communication skills for coordinating across shifts, departments, and external vendors
- Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies used in Indiana manufacturing
Operations Lead Jobs in Indiana: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a operations lead in Indiana?
Most operations leads in Indiana enter the role by building several years of hands-on experience in manufacturing, logistics, or distribution before stepping into a leadership position. No state-issued license is required, but employers consistently look for candidates who have completed associate or bachelor's programs in business, supply chain, or operations management at institutions like Purdue University or Indiana University. Internal promotions from roles like team associate, shift coordinator, or material handler are the most common path.
Which companies hire operations leads in Indiana?
Companies currently hiring operations leads in Indiana include At Home The Home Decor Superstore, CBRE, and GEODIS, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Indiana's concentration of large-scale manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and distribution facilities means hiring tends to be steady throughout the year rather than seasonal.
Which Indiana cities have the most operations lead jobs?
Indianapolis, Plainfield, and Evansville have the most operations lead openings in Indiana. Indianapolis drives the largest share of postings due to its dense cluster of distribution centers, corporate headquarters, and pharmaceutical operations, while Fort Wayne and Columbus generate consistent demand from their manufacturing and logistics employers anchored by companies like Cummins and major automotive suppliers.
Are there remote operations lead jobs in Indiana?
Yes, but they're rare. Operations lead roles are largely on-site by nature because the work involves managing physical teams, equipment, and production or fulfillment floor activity. About 25% of operations lead openings tied to Indiana are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to be in process oversight, vendor coordination, or administrative operations rather than direct floor leadership.
How can I get hired as a operations lead in Indiana with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a frontline associate or team member role at a large Indiana operation and moving into a lead position through internal promotion. Employers like Cummins, major Amazon fulfillment centers, and Subaru of Indiana Automotive run structured advancement tracks that bring high-performing associates into supervisory roles. A completed associate degree in business or operations from Ivy Tech Community College, combined with a willingness to work warehouse or production shifts, gives candidates a clear edge.
Where can I find and apply to operations lead jobs in Indiana?
You can find and apply to operations lead jobs in Indiana on Migrate Mate, which lists current Indiana openings updated regularly. Search the roles available, identify the ones that match your experience level and preferred location, and apply directly through each listing.
See All 30 Operations Lead Jobs in Indiana
Find roles in Indiana that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Operations Lead Jobs