Production Associate Jobs in Iowa
Production Associate jobs in Iowa are in steady demand, concentrated in food and beverage processing, agricultural equipment manufacturing, and pharmaceutical production across the state. Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport account for the largest share of openings, with established employers like Quaker Oats, John Deere, and Tyson Foods maintaining consistent hiring pipelines. The most in-demand specialties include quality inspection, packaging line operation, and assembly work tied to Iowa's deep manufacturing base. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Production Associate
Do you enjoy helping a great team achieve their daily goals? At Value Added Distributors in Dyersville, IA, our team is driven, hardworking, and enthusiastic about producing quality products and delivering a high level of customer satisfaction. We are seeking a Production Associate who is a team player, detail-oriented, and enjoys maintaining high standards. If this sounds like you, apply today!
Company Overview
For 30 years, Value Added Distributors and our family of companies have been a leading provider of hydraulic components in the industrial marketplace. Headquartered in Wisconsin, we take pride in our Midwestern work ethic and our team of employees, providing outstanding products and unparalleled service to our valued customers.
Operating in nine states with nineteen locations throughout the Midwest, South, and East Coast regions of the United States, we utilize state-of-the-art equipment and the latest techniques to support continued growth and advancement opportunities within the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) industry.
Pay: $17.00 per hour
Schedule: 4-day work week Monday through Thursday, 6:00 AM - 4:00 PM Overtime on Fridays as needed Day shift
Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance 401(k) with employer match Paid time off Holiday pay Additional company benefits
Job Overview
The Production Associate reports to the manager and is responsible for accurately cutting and assembling hydraulic hoses while following company policies, procedures, and customer requirements.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Assemble assigned product parts according to production guidelines. Complete and submit required inspection paperwork. Safely operate hand tools, power tools, and equipment while following all safety procedures. Maintain a clean and organized work area. Follow required quality standards and inspection processes. Support team efforts to meet customer requirements and delivery timelines. Identify and assist in resolving product nonconformances. Participate in training and demonstrate quality, safety, and compliance standards. Wear and utilize required personal protective equipment (PPE). Cross-train in various areas of the business. Actively support the company's vision, mission, and values. Perform additional duties as assigned to support company, customer, and regulatory requirements.
SkillsQualifications
Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines with a sense of urgency. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Ability to build positive working relationships and contribute to a team environment. Ability to use and read tape measures and digital calipers for measurements including length, width, thickness, diameter, and depth.
Requirements
Must be at least 18 years old. Ability to operate equipment such as saws, crimpers, and forklifts. Willingness to learn and follow established procedures. Ability to read and interpret technical work instructions and documentation. Ability to safely lift up to 30 pounds using proper lifting techniques. Basic math skills including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Basic computer proficiency. Typing speed of 25+ words per minute.
EducationExperience
High school diploma or equivalent required. Previous manufacturing experience is preferred but not required.
Certifications
Forklift certification is preferred but not required. Training will be provided.
Work Environment
This position works in a production facility and requires frequent use of hands, fingers, arms, and vision while standing for extended periods. Team members regularly communicate with coworkers to troubleshoot and complete tasks.
The role requires fine motor skills for using tools such as tape measures, calibration devices, and other equipment. Required personal protective equipment may include safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, safety shoes, and other equipment as required by job duties.
Close vision is necessary for safely operating equipment, reading labels and documents, and identifying specific products and components.
Value Added Companies (VAC) complies with applicable federal and state disability laws and provides reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact Human Resources.
Location:1625 15th Avenue SEDyersville, IA 52040
Website:vadtek.com
Value Added Companies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
See All 35 Production Associate Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Production Associate JobsProduction Associate Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Production Associate 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 production associate jobs across Iowa.
- High school diploma or GED required by most Iowa production employers
- Ability to stand, lift, and perform repetitive tasks throughout a full shift
- Familiarity with GMP or food safety standards in production environments
- Basic mechanical aptitude for operating and monitoring production equipment
- Reliability record and ability to work rotating or overnight shifts
- Team-oriented communication skills for coordinating with line supervisors and coworkers
Production Associate Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a production associate in Iowa?
Most production associate roles in Iowa require a high school diploma or GED and are filled through on-the-job training provided by the employer. No state-issued license is required for general production work, though roles in food processing may require a food handler certification and pharmaceutical production roles may require employer-specific compliance training. Vocational programs at Iowa community colleges, including those at Kirkwood Community College and Des Moines Area Community College, offer manufacturing and industrial technology coursework that strengthens an application.
Which companies hire production associates in Iowa?
Iowa production associate roles are posted by MasterBrand Cabinets, Ranews Companies, and TIG Distributing and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Iowa's strong concentration of food processing, agricultural equipment, and pharmaceutical manufacturing means hiring activity stays consistent across the state throughout the year.
Which Iowa cities have the most production associate jobs?
Cedar Rapids, Boone, and Carroll have the most production associate openings in Iowa. Des Moines anchors demand through its pharmaceutical and consumer goods facilities, Cedar Rapids draws production hiring from large food processing operations including Quaker Oats and Cargill, and Davenport's position along the Quad Cities corridor connects it to major agricultural equipment manufacturers like John Deere.
Are there remote production associate jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. Production associate work is fundamentally hands-on and tied to a physical facility, which limits remote options significantly. About 0% of production associate openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions tend to involve quality documentation, data entry for production tracking, or inventory coordination rather than direct line work.
How can I get hired as a production associate in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to food processing and manufacturing facilities that run structured onboarding programs for new hires. Large Iowa employers like Tyson Foods and Quaker Oats regularly bring on entry-level production workers and train them on equipment and safety protocols from day one. Completing a short manufacturing fundamentals course at a community college like Hawkeye Community College or Iowa Western Community College signals readiness. Adjacent roles like warehouse associate, material handler, or quality checker are common lateral moves that build toward a production associate position.
Where can I find and apply to production associate jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to production associate jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience, location, and schedule, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 35 Production Associate Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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