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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Overview

Open roles23
Top employerTarget
Top cityCedar Falls, IA
Cities hiring15
Work type50% Remote
Top credentialBachelor's degree

Showing 5 of 23+ Operations Manager jobs

Operations Manager TelCom Construction
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Operations Manager TelCom Construction
TelCom Construction, LLC
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Corporate Training
Learning & Development
Project Management
Bachelor's degree in engineering
1,001-5,000

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Accounts Payable Manager - Office of Business Operations
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Accounts Payable Manager - Office of Business Operations
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa
Account Management
Customer Service
Sales
Bachelor's degree in finance
1,001-5,000

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Business Operations Manager
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Business Operations Manager
Sensory Kids Iowa
North Liberty, Iowa
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Project Management
Bachelor's degree in business administration

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Operations Manager
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Added 2d ago
Operations Manager
Acuren
Iowa
Business Operations
Customer Service
Customer Success
Bachelor's degree
1,001-5,000

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Project Manager, Customer Operations
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Added 2d ago
Project Manager, Customer Operations
National Carwash Solutions, Inc.
Grimes, Iowa
Business Operations
Customer Service
Project & Program Management
Project Management
Bachelor's degree in construction management
201-500

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See All 23 Operations Manager Jobs in Iowa

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Operations Manager Jobs by City in Iowa

Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Cedar Falls
4 jobs
Cedar Rapids
3 jobs
Coralville
2 jobs
Des Moines
2 jobs
Grimes
1 job
Chariton
1 job
Stockton
1 job
Thompson
1 job
Iowa City
1 job

Operations Manager Job Market in Iowa

A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Target2 open roles
QTS1 open role
Ulta1 open role

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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