Department Manager – 2nd Shift
Full-Time Leadership Role | Manufacturing Operations
Location: Carroll, Iowa
About the Role
The Department Manager is an entry- to early-career leadership role within Pella’s manufacturing operations. In this position, you will lead a production department and manage a team of 30–40 hourly employees while supporting daily manufacturing goals related to safety, quality, and productivity.
This role is ideal for individuals interested in people leadership, operations management, and continuous improvement who want hands-on experience leading teams in a fast-paced environment.
What You’ll Do
As a Department Manager, you will be responsible for both leading people and supporting operational performance.
Core responsibilities include:
- Leading and developing a team of 30–40 hourly production employees
- Supporting department performance in safety, quality, and productivity
- Managing daily operations on 2nd shift
- Monitoring labor efficiency and supporting department budget goals
- Coaching employees through training, feedback, and performance discussions
- Interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and developing team members
- Addressing employee concerns and applying corrective action when needed
- Supporting continuous improvement efforts using Lean Manufacturing and Kaizen principles
What This Role Is Like
This is a hands-on leadership role with regular time spent on the production floor. Successful Department Managers are visible, approachable, and comfortable working directly with employees to solve problems and improve processes.
The manufacturing environment is active and fast-moving, and the role requires comfort working in a production setting during off-shift hours.
What This Role Prepares You For
This position builds practical leadership and operations experience that translates across manufacturing and operations careers, including:
- People and team leadership
- Operations and production management
- Continuous improvement and process optimization
- Decision-making in a fast-paced environment
- Talent development and coaching
Many leaders begin their careers in roles like this and continue into broader operations, technical, or leadership positions.
Why Pella
At Pella, leaders are expected to grow people, improve processes, and take pride in the work being done. This role offers meaningful leadership experience, exposure to manufacturing operations, and the opportunity to make an impact early in your career.
Please see job posting on Pella’s career site for qualification, benefits and more information….
