Production Operator Jobs in Iowa
Production Operator jobs in Iowa are concentrated in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport, where food processing, agricultural manufacturing, and industrial equipment production drive consistent demand at every level from entry-line to senior process operator. Major employers with deep Iowa roots include John Deere, Quaker Oats, and Tyson Foods, which run large-scale operations across the state year-round. The most in-demand specialties are food and beverage processing, feed and grain manufacturing, and precision machining. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 18+ Production Operator jobs
Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation. In 2024, Continental generated sales of €39.7 billion and currently employs around 190,000 people in 55 countries and markets.
Guided by the vision of being the customer's first choice for material-driven solutions, the ContiTech group sector focuses on development competence and material expertise for products and systems made of rubber, plastics, metal, and fabrics. These can also be equipped with electronic components in order to optimize them functionally for individual services. ContiTech's industrial growth areas are primarily in the areas of energy, agriculture, construction, and surfaces. In addition, ContiTech serves the automotive and transportation industries as well as rail transport.
Job Description
How You Will Make an Impact:
- Safely operate various types of industrial machinery in a fast-paced, computerized, quality-oriented environment.
- Part of a work team and must work closely with other operators and spiral team lead and spiral coordinator.
- Work in a safe manner, including the use of all required personal protective equipment as required by plant policy.
- Set up and operate all equipment to safely and efficiently produce a quality product in the spiral production areas of the plant. This includes the installation and removal of proper tooling. This includes completion of all production and quality reports (paper or computer based).
- Control the quality of the product throughout the production process. Contact Quality Assurance if necessary.
- Solve simple mechanical problems, perform basic operator maintenance and troubleshoot equipment as required.
- Drive a fork life as required and pull material to specification and oldest material first.
- Work successfully in a self-directed team environment. This includes attendance and participation in team meetings, committee meetings, special projects and task forces as required.
- Perform routine housekeeping in work area and throughout the plant as required.
The plant is in operation 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
Qualifications
Basic Qualification: High School Diploma or equivalent; and related experience and/ or training.
THE PERKS:
- Immediate Benefits
- Paid Time Off
- Employee Discounts, including tire discounts.
- Competitive Bonus Programs
- Employees 401k Match
- Employee Assistance Program
- Future Growth Opportunities, including personal and professional.
- And many more benefits that come with working for a global industry leader!
Additional Information
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
EEO-Statement:
EEO / AA / Disabled / Protected Veteran Employer. Continental offers equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to unlawful consideration to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. In addition, as a federal contractor, Continental complies with government regulations, including affirmative action responsibilities, where they apply. To be considered, you must apply for a specific position for which Continental has a current posted job opening. Qualifying applications will be considered only for the specific opening(s) to which you apply. If you would like to be considered for additional or future job openings, we encourage you to reapply for other opportunities as they become available. Further, Continental provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance in the application process, please reply to Careers@conti-na.com or contact US Recruiting at 248.393.5566. This telephone line and email address are reserved solely for job seekers with disabilities requesting accessibility assistance or an accommodation in the job application process. Please do not call about the status of your job application, if you do not require accessibility assistance or an accommodation. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or non-disability related technical issues, will not receive a call back.'
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See All 18 Production Operator Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Production Operator JobsProduction Operator Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Production Operator Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in production operator jobs across Iowa.
- High school diploma or GED recognized by an Iowa-accredited institution
- Ability to operate and monitor production line equipment safely and efficiently
- Familiarity with food safety or HACCP protocols common in Iowa processing plants
- Physical ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to fifty pounds
- Experience with quality control checks, measurements, and production recordkeeping
- Willingness to work rotating shifts including nights and weekends as scheduled
Production Operator Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a production operator in Iowa?
Most production operator roles in Iowa require a high school diploma or GED and are filled through on-the-job training provided by the employer. There is no state-issued license specific to the role, but candidates working in food processing plants are expected to complete HACCP and food safety training, which many Iowa employers administer internally. Starting in entry-level line positions at manufacturers like John Deere, Quaker Oats, or regional co-ops is the most common path to advancing into full operator roles.
Which companies hire production operators in Iowa?
Iowa production operator roles are posted by Vestis, Nordex, and ADM and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Iowa's strength in food processing, agricultural equipment, and industrial manufacturing means openings are spread across both major metros and smaller manufacturing towns throughout the state.
Which Iowa cities have the most production operator jobs?
West Branch, Ankeny, and DeWitt lead Iowa in production operator openings. Des Moines anchors the market with a broad mix of food processing, consumer goods, and industrial manufacturing employers, while Cedar Rapids and Davenport are driven by established operations in grain processing, agricultural equipment, and packaged food production that have kept production workforces large and steady for decades.
Are there remote production operator jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. Production operator work is inherently hands-on and tied to physical plant operations, so most roles require an on-site presence. About 0% of production operator openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those are typically limited to process monitoring or quality reporting functions that can be handled off the floor.
How can I get hired as a production operator in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to general labor or production associate openings at large Iowa manufacturers, which routinely hire without prior experience and train on the job. Employers like Tyson Foods, Quaker Oats, and regional agricultural cooperatives run structured onboarding for new hires moving into line positions. Community colleges such as Kirkwood and Des Moines Area Community College offer short manufacturing and industrial technology certificates that give candidates a clear edge when applying to these roles.
Where can I find and apply to production operator jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to production operator jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings across food processing, industrial manufacturing, and agricultural production. Find roles that fit your experience and location, then apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 18 Production Operator Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Production Operator Jobs