Operations Project Manager Jobs in Iowa
Operations Project Manager jobs in Iowa concentrate in manufacturing, logistics, agribusiness processing, and healthcare operations, with demand running from mid-level coordinator roles up to senior program leads overseeing multi-site initiatives. Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport are the strongest hiring metros, anchored by employers like Principal Financial Group, Collins Aerospace, and UnityPoint Health, all of which maintain large operations teams in the state. Supply chain optimization, lean process improvement, and cross-functional project delivery are the most in-demand specialties among Iowa postings. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 272+ Operations Project Manager jobs
DIRECTOR OF SALES & OPERATIONS
Stu's Home Improvement Outlet | Dubuque, Iowa | Full-Time
Compensation: Competitive Base Salary + Uncapped Bonus & Commission
————————————————————————
THIS IS NOT A TYPICAL RETAIL JOB
————————————————————————
Stu's Home Improvement Outlet is Dubuque's go-to destination for incredible deals on scratch-and-dent appliances, open-box products, last year's models, and one of the largest furniture and sectional selections in the region. We also carry a full line of home improvement products — everything you'd find at Lowe's, Home Depot, or Menards — at a fraction of retail price.
We're growing fast and we're looking for a rare, results-driven leader to join our team. This is not a sit-behind-a-desk role. We need someone who can walk in on Day 1 and immediately start moving the needle on sales — and who has the vision and leadership to eventually oversee our expansion into multiple locations across the region.
If you've ever walked onto a sales floor, seen exactly what was broken, and knew how to fix it — we want to talk to you.
————————————————————————
WHAT YOU'LL OWN — STARTING DAY 1
————————————————————————
- Audit and completely revamp our current sales process — identify what's working, eliminate what isn't
- Train, motivate, and hold our sales team accountable to daily, weekly, and monthly targets
- Lead from the front as a player-coach — you'll be on the floor closing deals alongside your team
- Design and launch promotions, pricing strategies, and sales events that drive traffic and move inventory
- Open new B2B revenue channels — contractors, landlords, property managers, real estate investors, and home flippers are all ideal customers for what we sell
- Build a customer experience that earns repeat business, referrals, and five-star reviews
- Track key sales metrics and report directly to ownership with honesty and a clear action plan
- Be a visible, energetic presence that sets the tone for the entire store
————————————————————————
YOUR GROWTH PATH AT STU'S
————————————————————————
This role is built in three phases:
Phase 1 — NOW: Come in, assess the situation, and drive immediate sales growth at our Dubuque location. Results matter here and we reward them generously.
Phase 2 — 6 to 18 Months: As sales stabilize and grow, begin building the systems, playbooks, and team infrastructure needed to replicate our model.
Phase 3 — 18 Months and Beyond: Transition into Director of Operations, overseeing General Managers, sales teams, inventory, and company culture as we open additional locations.
This is a ground-floor opportunity with a business owner who is ready to invest in the right person and move quickly.
————————————————————————
WHO YOU ARE
————————————————————————
- A proven sales leader with specific numbers and turnaround stories to back it up
- A motivator — people on your team perform better because of you, not in spite of you
- Someone who owns problems instead of making excuses
- Comfortable working the floor, managing the back office, AND presenting strategy to ownership
- Experienced in retail, discount, liquidation, appliances, furniture, or home improvement
- Energized by value selling — you know how to help a customer see a deal and say yes
- Entrepreneurial — you treat every business you work for like it's your own
- Organized enough to build systems while still being hands-on every single day
- Motivated by uncapped earning potential and a clear path to a bigger title and bigger impact
————————————————————————
YOUR BACKGROUND
————————————————————————
- 5+ years in a sales leadership role in retail, wholesale, or direct-to-consumer sales
- Documented history of meeting or exceeding sales goals
- Experience turning around an underperforming sales team or location
- Has built or improved a sales training program, commission structure, or sales playbook
- Multi-location or multi-department management experience is a strong plus
- Familiarity with scratch-and-dent, liquidation, or value retail is a major advantage
- Strong communicator — with customers, staff, and ownership alike
————————————————————————
WHAT STU'S OFFERS YOU
————————————————————————
- Highly competitive base salary — we pay for talent and we mean it
- Aggressive performance bonuses tied directly to sales growth
- Uncapped commission — the more this store grows, the more you earn
- A direct line to ownership — no corporate red tape, no bureaucracy
- A clear, committed path to Director of Operations as we expand
- Generous employee discount on all store merchandise
- The opportunity to build something real in your own community
————————————————————————
HOW TO APPLY
————————————————————————
Don't send us a generic resume and cover letter. We read every application, and what gets our attention is substance.
When you apply, please answer these three questions:
1. What is the biggest sales turnaround you have ever led? Give us the situation, what you did, and the specific results.
2. What excites you about working in discount or value retail?
3. Where do you want to be professionally in three years?
Applications that do not answer these questions will not be considered. We are serious about finding the right person and we move fast. If you're the right fit, you'll know it quickly.
Apply today and let's build something great together right here in Dubuque.
Stu's Home Improvement Outlet
Dubuque, Iowa
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Relocation assistance
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Experience:
- General Mgr-Furniture: 3 years (Required)
Pay: $75,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Ability to Relocate:
- Dubuque, IA 52003: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
DIRECTOR OF SALES & OPERATIONS
Stu's Home Improvement Outlet | Dubuque, Iowa | Full-Time
Compensation: Competitive Base Salary + Uncapped Bonus & Commission
————————————————————————
THIS IS NOT A TYPICAL RETAIL JOB
————————————————————————
Stu's Home Improvement Outlet is Dubuque's go-to destination for incredible deals on scratch-and-dent appliances, open-box products, last year's models, and one of the largest furniture and sectional selections in the region. We also carry a full line of home improvement products — everything you'd find at Lowe's, Home Depot, or Menards — at a fraction of retail price.
We're growing fast and we're looking for a rare, results-driven leader to join our team. This is not a sit-behind-a-desk role. We need someone who can walk in on Day 1 and immediately start moving the needle on sales — and who has the vision and leadership to eventually oversee our expansion into multiple locations across the region.
If you've ever walked onto a sales floor, seen exactly what was broken, and knew how to fix it — we want to talk to you.
————————————————————————
WHAT YOU'LL OWN — STARTING DAY 1
————————————————————————
- Audit and completely revamp our current sales process — identify what's working, eliminate what isn't
- Train, motivate, and hold our sales team accountable to daily, weekly, and monthly targets
- Lead from the front as a player-coach — you'll be on the floor closing deals alongside your team
- Design and launch promotions, pricing strategies, and sales events that drive traffic and move inventory
- Open new B2B revenue channels — contractors, landlords, property managers, real estate investors, and home flippers are all ideal customers for what we sell
- Build a customer experience that earns repeat business, referrals, and five-star reviews
- Track key sales metrics and report directly to ownership with honesty and a clear action plan
- Be a visible, energetic presence that sets the tone for the entire store
————————————————————————
YOUR GROWTH PATH AT STU'S
————————————————————————
This role is built in three phases:
Phase 1 — NOW: Come in, assess the situation, and drive immediate sales growth at our Dubuque location. Results matter here and we reward them generously.
Phase 2 — 6 to 18 Months: As sales stabilize and grow, begin building the systems, playbooks, and team infrastructure needed to replicate our model.
Phase 3 — 18 Months and Beyond: Transition into Director of Operations, overseeing General Managers, sales teams, inventory, and company culture as we open additional locations.
This is a ground-floor opportunity with a business owner who is ready to invest in the right person and move quickly.
————————————————————————
WHO YOU ARE
————————————————————————
- A proven sales leader with specific numbers and turnaround stories to back it up
- A motivator — people on your team perform better because of you, not in spite of you
- Someone who owns problems instead of making excuses
- Comfortable working the floor, managing the back office, AND presenting strategy to ownership
- Experienced in retail, discount, liquidation, appliances, furniture, or home improvement
- Energized by value selling — you know how to help a customer see a deal and say yes
- Entrepreneurial — you treat every business you work for like it's your own
- Organized enough to build systems while still being hands-on every single day
- Motivated by uncapped earning potential and a clear path to a bigger title and bigger impact
————————————————————————
YOUR BACKGROUND
————————————————————————
- 5+ years in a sales leadership role in retail, wholesale, or direct-to-consumer sales
- Documented history of meeting or exceeding sales goals
- Experience turning around an underperforming sales team or location
- Has built or improved a sales training program, commission structure, or sales playbook
- Multi-location or multi-department management experience is a strong plus
- Familiarity with scratch-and-dent, liquidation, or value retail is a major advantage
- Strong communicator — with customers, staff, and ownership alike
————————————————————————
WHAT STU'S OFFERS YOU
————————————————————————
- Highly competitive base salary — we pay for talent and we mean it
- Aggressive performance bonuses tied directly to sales growth
- Uncapped commission — the more this store grows, the more you earn
- A direct line to ownership — no corporate red tape, no bureaucracy
- A clear, committed path to Director of Operations as we expand
- Generous employee discount on all store merchandise
- The opportunity to build something real in your own community
————————————————————————
HOW TO APPLY
————————————————————————
Don't send us a generic resume and cover letter. We read every application, and what gets our attention is substance.
When you apply, please answer these three questions:
1. What is the biggest sales turnaround you have ever led? Give us the situation, what you did, and the specific results.
2. What excites you about working in discount or value retail?
3. Where do you want to be professionally in three years?
Applications that do not answer these questions will not be considered. We are serious about finding the right person and we move fast. If you're the right fit, you'll know it quickly.
Apply today and let's build something great together right here in Dubuque.
Stu's Home Improvement Outlet
Dubuque, Iowa
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Relocation assistance
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Experience:
- General Mgr-Furniture: 3 years (Required)
Pay: $75,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Ability to Relocate:
- Dubuque, IA 52003: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
See All 272+ Operations Project Manager Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsOperations Project Manager Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Operations Project Manager Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- The University of Iowa9
- Google7
- Walgreens7
- Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield7
- LCS6
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services20
- Retail19
- Education13
- Technology & Software12
- Consulting & Professional Services10
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in operations project manager jobs across Iowa.
- Bachelor's degree in business, operations, supply chain, or a related field required
- PMP certification or active pursuit of PMP credential strongly preferred by Iowa employers
- Three or more years managing cross-functional operations or process improvement projects
- Demonstrated experience with lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies
- Proficiency in project management software such as MS Project, Smartsheet, or Asana
- Strong stakeholder communication skills including reporting to senior leadership
Operations Project Manager Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a operations project manager in Iowa?
The most direct path is a bachelor's degree in business administration, operations management, supply chain, or industrial engineering, followed by entry-level project coordinator or analyst work at an Iowa manufacturer, healthcare system, or logistics firm. Iowa does not require a state-issued license for this role, but the Project Management Professional credential from PMI carries significant weight with Iowa employers and is frequently listed as a hiring requirement at larger organizations.
How much do operations project managers make in Iowa?
Operations project managers in Iowa earn a median of about $96,540 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $62,000 for the lowest 10% to over $150,290 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire operations project managers in Iowa?
Employers hiring operations project managers in Iowa right now include The University of Iowa, Google, and Walgreens, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Iowa's concentration of insurance headquarters, aerospace manufacturing, and regional healthcare systems means hiring stays relatively consistent throughout the year rather than clustering in seasonal bursts.
Which Iowa cities have the most operations project manager jobs?
Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport hold the most operations project manager openings in Iowa. Des Moines dominates because of its dense cluster of financial services, insurance, and healthcare headquarters, while Cedar Rapids draws volume from aerospace and food processing manufacturers, and Davenport benefits from its position in the Quad Cities industrial corridor where distribution and manufacturing operations are concentrated.
Are there remote operations project manager jobs in Iowa?
Yes, and they are more common than in many operations roles, since project coordination work is largely desk-based and documentation-driven. About 36% of operations project manager openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, reflecting employer flexibility for the planning and reporting side of the work. Roles requiring direct floor supervision or on-site process observation are more likely to be fully in-person.
How can I get hired as a operations project manager in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is a project coordinator or operations analyst role at a mid-size Iowa manufacturer or healthcare system, where structured rotations and mentorship programs are common. Employers like UnityPoint Health and large Des Moines insurers run associate project management tracks that accept candidates with a relevant degree and no direct PM experience. Earning a CAPM certification from PMI before applying signals commitment and gives a resume a measurable edge over uncredentialed candidates.
Where can I find and apply to operations project manager jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to operations project manager jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings updated regularly. Search for roles that match your experience level and industry focus, then apply directly to the ones that fit. No sign-up is required to see the listings.
See All 272+ Operations Project Manager Jobs in Iowa
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