Operations Manager Jobs in Iowa
Operations Manager jobs in Iowa are in consistent demand, with hiring concentrated in manufacturing, agribusiness, logistics, and healthcare operations across the state. Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport account for the largest share of openings, where employers like Principal Financial Group, Quaker Oats, and John Deere maintain significant operations management workforces. Demand runs from first-level production supervisors through multi-site directors, with the strongest specializations in supply chain operations, food and agricultural processing, and distribution center management. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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The Operations Manager, serving as a liaison between projects assigned personnel and executive management. It is accountable for establishing and maintaining a mutually beneficial working environment for the location's employees, providing management, communication and leadership to facilitate sound business decisions across multiple customer contracts to ensure division success. Monitors and ensures customer satisfaction and cultivates new business opportunities.
Connecting you to great benefits
- Weekly Paychecks
- Paid Time Off, Parental Leave, and Holidays
- Insurance (including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, disability, life insurance)
- 401(k) w/ Company Match
- Stock Purchase Plan
- Education Reimbursement
- Legal Insurance
- Discounts on gym memberships, pet insurance, and much more!
What you’ll do
- Assumes complete responsibility for the assigned Construction Division, its operations, its equipment and its facilities
- Assumes complete responsibility for safety requirements by holding others accountable and supporting commitment to worker safety, worker’s compensation loss management and DOT compliance in coordination and cooperation with the EHS department
- Maintains regular communication with internal and external stakeholders in effort to monitor and ensure customer satisfaction and organizational congruence
- Identifies and implements continuous process improvement initiatives to allow efficient service delivery
- Identifies, analyzes and reports key performance indicators of divisional operations and holds stakeholders at all levels accountable to them, ensuring employee engagement, maximum productivity and maximum profitability
- Monitors and holds others accountable to maintaining an appropriate and effective work schedule and quality control program to ensures the Company’s promises of quality and timeliness are met
- May be responsible for the employee and subcontractor schedule - budgets time required to meet production deadlines in a safe manner
- When utilized, works closely with Project Management personnel to ensure smooth departmental hand offs and appropriate information and documentation flow
- Acquires complete knowledge of assigned contracts including in depth knowledge of units, pricing, systems and other specific customer requirements. Trains and holds direct reports accountable to such knowledge as it is necessary to effectively perform their jobs
- Seeks new business opportunities
- Actively involved in the bid compilation and contract negotiations
- Negotiates unit additions with the customer as they arise
- Actively seeks knowledge of business finances on a weekly basis
- Adjusts work activities to make financial success a priority
- Monitors work being performed to ensure compliance with safety requirements and contract terms
- Ensures equipment is maintained per established Manufacturer and Company standards
- Manages equipment procurement needs using cost vs benefit analysis
- Ensures the accuracy of employee time and production records. Follows company processes to address discrepancies
- Actively seeks and actively participates in the on-boarding process of new Subcontractors
- Effectively identifies need for, acquires and manages an appropriate workforce in correlation with customer demands in participation and support of Human Resources
- Ensures that both positive and negative feedback are delivered and appropriately documented in a timely manner, either personally or through appropriate delegation, in alignment with Company procedures regarding employee performance reviews
- Creates and maintains individual employee development plans
- Seeks and implements opportunities for employee development
- May perform the duties of field personnel as needed
- Other duties as assigned
What you’ll need
- Bachelor’s Degree in an industry-related Engineering or Project Management field and 2-4 years of hands-on
- Telecommunications industry-specific experience, or combination of education and experience is required
- Proven leadership in a cross functional team environment
- Strong negotiator and consensus builder
- Commitment to technology-driven process improvement
- Proficient word processing, spreadsheet, database, Internet and cloud-based computer skills are required. Working knowledge of Google suite of applications strongly preferred
- Travel is required
Core Competencies
- Teamwork and Servant leadership
- Complex problem solving and critical thinking
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Exemplary communication skills, both written and verbal
Openness to change - Ability to develop and maintain relationships
- Meticulously Organized
- Self-motivated and driven
- Organizational commitment and congruence
Work Environment/Physical Demands
The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Frequent sit, stand and/or walk
- Occasionally bend, squat, kneel, crawl or twist on concrete, dirt or gravel surfaces
- Frequent use of sight (specifically, close to perform computer work), hearing and voice
- Use of hands, arms, and fingers to perform routine and repetitive tasks
- Occasional light to moderate lifting (up to 30 lbs)
- Occasionally work in adverse weather conditions and uneven surfaces
- Wear required personal protective equipment if required
Why grow your career with us
Your career here is more than just a job — it's your pathway to opportunity. Our hands-on training, supportive environment, and responsive leadership connect you to work with purpose. Our commitment to you extends beyond professional development to a safety-first culture that ensures you can do what you do best, with peace of mind.
Building stronger solutions together
Our company is an equal-opportunity employer — we are committed to providing a work environment where everyone can thrive, grow, and feel connected.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
See All 23 Operations Manager Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Operations Manager JobsOperations Manager Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Operations Manager Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in operations manager jobs across Iowa.
- Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, or a related field required
- Three or more years of direct operations or production management experience
- Demonstrated experience managing teams in manufacturing, logistics, or distribution environments
- Proficiency with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics
- Strong knowledge of lean manufacturing or continuous improvement methodologies
- APICS CPIM or CSCP certification preferred for supply chain operations roles
Operations Manager Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a operations manager in Iowa?
Most operations manager roles in Iowa require a bachelor's degree in business administration, supply chain management, industrial engineering, or a related field, though candidates with associate degrees and strong floor or logistics experience do get hired at smaller manufacturers. Iowa does not require a state-issued license to work as an operations manager, but earning a credential such as the APICS CPIM or a Six Sigma certification strengthens applications considerably, particularly with Iowa's large food processing and manufacturing employers.
How much do operations managers make in Iowa?
Operations managers in Iowa earn a median of about $87,690 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $42,850 for the lowest 10% to over $191,990 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire operations managers in Iowa?
Companies currently hiring operations managers in Iowa include Target, QTS, and Ulta, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Iowa's concentration of food processing plants, insurance and financial services headquarters, and regional distribution centers means openings appear across a wide range of industries beyond manufacturing alone.
Which Iowa cities have the most operations manager jobs?
Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, and Coralville account for the most operations manager openings in Iowa. Des Moines leads because of its density of financial services, healthcare systems, and corporate headquarters, while Cedar Rapids draws heavily from food manufacturing and logistics, and Davenport benefits from its position in the Quad Cities manufacturing corridor where industrial and distribution employers are concentrated.
Are there remote operations manager jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. Operations management is largely a hands-on, site-based role, so most Iowa positions require a physical presence on the floor or at a facility. About 100% of operations manager openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to be in vendor management, procurement oversight, or multi-site coordination functions where day-to-day supervision is handled by on-site leads.
How can I get hired as a operations manager in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into an operations supervisor or team lead role at one of Iowa's large manufacturing or distribution employers, where internal promotion is common. Companies like Tyson Foods and regional logistics centers frequently hire shift supervisors and production leads as entry points. An APICS student membership or a lean manufacturing certification from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach can make a candidate stand out when competing against others without direct management experience.
Where can I find and apply to operations manager jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to operations manager jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings. Search roles by city or industry, find the ones that fit your background, and apply directly through each listing.
See All 23 Operations Manager Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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