Job DetailsJob Location: Des Moines, IA 50313Position Type: Full TimeJob Shift: AnyJob Summary:
Ag Express Electronics is seeking a Divisional Manager who will be responsible for the strategic leadership and operational oversight of two Ag Express locations: Des Moines, Iowa, and Grand Island, Nebraska. This role ensures both facilities operate safely, efficiently, and profitably while meeting high standards of quality, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence. With an emphasis on cross-site coordination, strategic planning, and continuous improvement, the Divisional Manager plays a key role in driving enterprise performance. The position requires strong engineering and analytical acumen, cross-functional leadership skills, and the ability to manage diverse teams across multiple locations.
This position is located at our Des Moines, Iowa location.
QualificationsKey Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Multi-Site Oversight
Provide executive-level oversight and strategic direction to both Des Moines and Grand Island operations.
Lead the development and execution of operational strategies that align with enterprise -wide goals.
Establish consistent processes, KPIs, and accountability systems across both facilities to optimize performance.
Serve as the primary liaison between each site and executive leadership to ensure alignment on goals, resourcing, and long-term planning.
Engineering-Driven Operational Excellence
Apply technical knowledge and problem-solving skills to improve facility layout, equipment utilization, and throughput.
Guide strategic production planning and capacity modeling by leveraging data, systems, and engineering expertise.
Champion innovation in process engineering, automation, and continuous improvement.
Leadership and Team Development:
Lead, coach, and empower site leadership teams across both locations to promote a culture of accountability, performance, and trust.
Partner with HR to develop succession plans, improve team capability, and support leadership growth.
Foster collaboration, communication, and continuous improvement across all levels of the organization.
Lead initiatives that improve team morale, communication, and organizational health.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Collaborate with supply chain, sales, engineering, and finance teams to streamline operations and drive customer satisfaction.
Participate in enterprise-wide initiatives such as capital planning, new product introduction, and systems integration.
Represent the facilities in executive forums, providing actionable, data-driven insights.
Operations and Performance Oversight:
Ensure performance goals for productivity, quality, safety, delivery, and cost are consistently met or exceeded.
Create, implement and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and take timely corrective action to address variances.
Oversee the Quality Management System (QMS) at the site level, ensuring compliance with internal standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations.
Coordinate with cross-functional teams (supply chain, sales, engineering, etc.) to support efficient workflows and on-time delivery.
Ensure accurate inventory handling, timely order fulfillment, and efficient inbound/outbound logistics.
Apply best practices in plant management to maximize uptime, efficiency and receiving operations.
Capacity and Production Planning:
Lead production planning and scheduling activities to align with customer demand and organizational capacity.
Collaborate between sites on capacity planning, balancing labor, equipment, and workload to maximize efficiency and meet customer demand across the organization.
Use data to forecast, adjust plans, and allocate resources for optimal output.
Adjust plans as needed to balance efficiency, quality, and flexibility.
Financial and Business Management:
Lead development of operational budgets and capital plans for both sites.
Monitor financial performance and cost metrics; identify and execute efficiency improvements.
Drive data-informed decision-making through effective use of ERP systems and performance dashboards.
Develop and manage budgets, forecasts, and cost-control strategies to ensure profitability.
Monitor performance against financial targets and collaborate with leadership on improvements.
Participate in capital planning and long-term strategic decision-making for the facility.
Continuous Improvement and Process Optimization:
Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on waste reduction, process enhancement, and throughput increases.
Promote a culture of innovation at all levels of the organization.
Identify and facilitate enhancements to facility layout, material flow, and capacity to better meet current and future production demands.
Compliance, Safety, and Facility Management:
Champion a safety-first culture and ensure compliance with OSHA and internal safety protocols across both sites.
Ensure compliance with all regulatory, environmental, and company-specific safety standards, including OSHA and other relevant guidelines.
Promote and uphold a safety-first culture across all departments by supporting regular safety training, audits, and incident response procedures.
Provide oversight and strategic direction to the Facility Manager to ensure proper building maintenance, utilities management, equipment upkeep, and workspace optimization.
Ensure preventative maintenance programs and facility improvement initiatives are effectively implemented and aligned with operational goals.
Other Responsibilities:
Participate in company-wide initiatives, projects, or other duties as assigned by the COO or executive team.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
Leadership and Operational Expertise:
Proven success in multi-site or senior plant leadership roles.
Strong ability to lead through influence, establish clear goals, and deliver sustainable results.
Experience in production planning, supply chain coordination, and plant-level financial management.
Proven ability to lead and develop teams with a focus on empowerment, accountability, and results.
Strong operational background, including capacity and production planning, supply chain and materials management, and plant-level management.
Exceptional decision-making, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
Experience in facility management, including oversight of building systems, equipment maintenance, and infrastructure planning.
Knowledge of OSHA regulations, facility safety protocols, and preventive maintenance programs.
Experience managing third-party contractors, vendors, and facility-related service providers.
Familiarity with Quality Management Systems (QMS), including ISO standards or similar frameworks, and experience ensuring compliance with internal and external quality requirements.
Skilled in evaluating and improving facility layout, material flow, and space utilization to support operational efficiency.
Strategic Thinking and Business Acumen:
Proven ability to align operational decisions with business strategy.
Technical experience in optimizing production systems, material flow, and facility layout.
Demonstrated experience in developing and executing strategic plans.
Strong understanding of financial reporting, P&L management, and business planning.
Experience managing long- and short-term initiatives concurrently.
Continuous Improvement and Analytical Skills:
Expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies; proven success in CI initiatives.
Strong analytical mindset: uses data to diagnose issues, prioritize actions, and forecast operational needs.
Experience implementing continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean or Six Sigma.
Ability to use data to identify issues, forecast needs, and support decision-making.
Proficiency in ERP systems and production analytics tools.
Collaboration and Communication
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with proven ability to lead cross-functional efforts.
Comfortable working in fast-paced, evolving environments with shifting priorities.
Required Experience/Education/Training/Certifications:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field
Preferred: Engineering degree (e.g., Mechanical, Industrial), MBA or advanced leadership training
Experience: Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership in manufacturing/ operational, including 3+ years in multi-site or strategic plant leadership role.
Certifications: Lean, Six Sigma, or similar certifications preferred.
Systems: Proficient in Microsoft 365 and ERP systems, and performance reporting tools.
Physical Demands:
Lifting and Carrying: Occasionally, the role may involve lifting and carrying office equipment or materials weighing up to a certain limit.
Standing and Walking: Ability to navigate various onsite meetings with customers and facilities within the organization’s premises.
Communication: Skill in exchanging accurate information with customers, co-workers, vendors, etc., utilizing verbal, written, and electronic communication methods.
Sitting for Extended Periods: Much of the work will be conducted at a desk requiring the ability to sit for extended periods while performing tasks.
Repetitive Motion: Some tasks may involve repetitive motions of the hands, especially prolonged periods of typing on a computer to perform administrative and operational tasks. Ergonomic practices should be followed to minimize the risk of repetitive strain injuries.
Travel Readiness: Willingness and ability to travel as necessary for business engagements, meetings, industry events, and onsite visits with customers.
Safety Awareness: Awareness of and adherence to safety protocols and procedures is essential when navigating the organization’s facilities to ensure compliance and minimize the risk of workplace hazards or accidents.
Ag Express Electronics is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for employees with disabilities and ensuring a supportive work environment. Candidates are encouraged to discuss specific needs during the application process.
Why Ag Express Electronics?
100% Employee-Owned Company and ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan)
Competitive salary plus performance-based incentive opportunity
Safe Harbor 401(k) with company contribution
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
Paid Time Off and paid holidays
Company-paid life insurance
Professional development and training opportunities
Opportunity to work with industry-leading precision agriculture technology and an outstanding team committed to serving agriculture
Benefits:
Ag Express Electronics offers a leading benefits package as highlighted below:
Employer-Sponsored Benefits: Medical, Dental, Group Life, Short-Term Disability (STD) with buy-up options
Voluntary Benefits: Vision, Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account(s) (FSA), Life Insurance
401(k): Safe Harbor 401(k) including an annual 3% company contribution and Profit Share funded annually at the discretion of Ag Express Electronics.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP): Contribution funded annually at the discretion of Ag Express Electronics.
Paid Time Off (PTO): PTO allowance to support work-life balance and provide employees with opportunities for rest, relaxation, and personal pursuits.
Holiday Benefits: Recognition and observance of holidays by Ag Express Electronics, allowing employees to celebrate.
Flexible Hours: Flexible work hours empower employees to have greater control over their work schedules, fostering a better work-life balance and increased flexibility to accommodate personal commitments.
Educational Assistance: Support for employee development through educational assistance, including financial support for further education or professional certifications relevant to their roles, ensuring continuous learning and growth opportunities.
Casual Dress Environment: Enjoy a casual dress environment at work, with company-provided branded clothing to promote comfort and a sense of belonging among employees.
Ag Express Electronics is an Equal Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, gender, identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.
About Us:
Ag Express Electronics is a leading provider of innovative electrical solutions for agricultural, construction, and industrial applications. We specialize in designing custom electrical harnesses and distribution systems to meet the unique needs of our clients. Our team is dedicated to delivering high-quality, reliable, and efficient solutions that exceed customer expectations.
Join a 100% Employee-Owned Company
At Ag Express Electronics, we're passionate about helping agricultural producers maximize the performance of their equipment through innovative electronics repair, precision agriculture solutions, and exceptional customer support. As a 100% Employee-Owned (ESOP) company, every employee shares in our success and plays a direct role in our future.
