Operations & Engineering Manager

About Dakota Pump

Since the 1950s, Dakota Pump, an Impel Company, has designed and manufactured high-quality packaged pump systems that support the safe, reliable movement of water for municipal, industrial, and commercial applications throughout the Midwest and beyond.

We are committed to engineering excellence, operational efficiency, and strong customer partnerships. Our team takes pride in its craftsmanship, continuous improvement, and the essential role our products play in the communities we serve. We are seeking a motivated leader to help drive our continued growth and success.

About the Role

Dakota Pump is seeking an experienced Operations and Engineering Manager to lead our engineering and manufacturing teams.

This leadership role oversees engineering, manufacturing operations, production planning, and continuous improvement to ensure efficiency, product quality, on-time delivery, and customer satisfaction. Working with company leadership and cross-functional teams, you will translate business objectives into actionable strategies, optimize processes, manage resources, and develop team capabilities.

The ideal candidate combines technical expertise, proven leadership, sound business judgment, and a hands-on approach to problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership and Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop engineering and manufacturing teams while promoting accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Establish performance expectations and partner with Human Resources to recruit, develop, and retain employees.

Engineering and Manufacturing Operations

• Oversee engineering and manufacturing from initial design and project planning through production and delivery.
• Manage production schedules, engineering priorities, and resource allocation to meet customer commitments and business objectives.
• Ensure quality, productivity, cost, and delivery targets are met while improving coordination across departments and resolving operational challenges.

Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement

• Monitor and improve key performance indicators (KPIs) for safety, quality, productivity, delivery, and cost.
• Lead lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement initiatives to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and maintain a safe, organized workplace.

Strategic Planning and Financial Management

• Translate business objectives into departmental strategies, action plans, and measurable goals.
• Manage departmental budgets, monitor costs and resource utilization, and provide data-driven performance reports and recommendations to leadership.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational capacity, profitability, and long-term business performance.

Customer and Supplier Relationships

• Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
• Address customer requirements, resolve operational issues, and support reliable product delivery and long-term customer satisfaction.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of relevant experience in manufacturing, engineering, operations, or project management.
• Demonstrated leadership experience overseeing teams, projects, or manufacturing operations.
• Working knowledge of engineering principles, manufacturing processes, and production planning.
• Experience with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, make sound decisions, and drive results in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
• Ability to pass a criminal background check and motor vehicle record (MVR) review.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience…