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Production Operations Manager

Sabanto

Sabanto

Product, Operations
Ames, IA, USA
Posted on Feb 6, 2026

Company Description:

At Sabanto, we are delivering farming services that will change the agricultural world. Our team is building a fleet of autonomous agricultural equipment, to enable faster, lower cost, and more efficient farming around the clock, anywhere in the world. We are looking for a new team member to deliver the future of agriculture.

Responsibilities:

As the Production Operations Manager, you will::

  • Own quoting and procurement of all components used in the company’s autonomy systems
  • Partner with Sales and Planning to forecast demand and coordinate component and kit shipments
  • Manage supplier relationships, including onboarding, performance tracking, and issue resolution
  • Track supplier progress and evaluate, coordinate, and approve supplier-requested design changes
  • Establish, operate, and continuously improve processes across:
    • Inbound material inspection and quality control
    • Warehouse material storage, handling, and component sub-assembly
    • Outbound kit assembly, tracking, and shipment
  • Lead and support a team of mechanical and electronics technicians; provide day-to-day direction and coaching
  • Maintain accurate inventory, procurement, and production records within the ERP system
  • Partner with Accounting on accounts payable and receivable processes related to procurement and inventory
  • Create, maintain, and improve ERP workflows supporting procurement, inventory, and production
  • Document component- and system-level mechanical, hydraulic, and electronic designs using 3D CAD models and 2D drawings
  • Create, release, and maintain bills of material (BOMs)
  • Manage drawing revisions and ensure timely communication of changes to suppliers and internal teams

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, or equivalent practical experience
  • 5+ years of hands-on experience in operations, supply chain, or manufacturing for hardware products
  • Direct experience sourcing, purchasing, and managing suppliers for electromechanical components
  • Working knowledge of ERP systems for inventory, purchasing, and production tracking
  • Experience managing small teams of technicians while remaining personally involved in day-to-day execution
  • Proven ability to operate in resource-constrained environments and balance speed, cost, and quality
  • Strong problem-solving skills and comfort making practical decisions with incomplete information
  • Ability to work cross-functionally with Engineering, Sales, and Accounting in a fast-moving organization
  • Knowledge of, and experience to safely work with mechanical and steel fabrication tools.
  • Comfortable working around loud tools and machinery

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience at an early- to mid-stage startup or small manufacturing organization
  • Demonstrated cost-reduction or supplier-optimization experience (e.g., lead time reduction, cost-downs, dual sourcing)
  • Familiarity with warehouse operations, kitting, and light assembly
  • Practical understanding of mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic systems (not purely theoretical)
  • Experience improving processes without dedicated operations or IT support

Additional Information:

At Sabanto, you will be working with a small team of world class engineers and agricultural professionals. You will evolve in a fast-paced environment, with a ton of guidance and freedom to evolve precision-ag technology.

We provide competitive salaries, medical, dental, vision, life benefits, and a 401K program.

We value diversity of culture and background for the benefit of our employees, our products, and our community. Sabanto is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. This position is open to applicants who are legally authorized to work in the United States. We are not able to sponsor work visas at this time.