Operations Administrator
Dakota Foundry | Webster, South Dakota
A division of Anderson Foundries
Position Summary
Dakota Foundry is seeking a highly organized, driven, and detail-oriented Operations Administrator to serve as the administrative backbone of our manufacturing operation. This role ensures the office and production floor stay connected by coordinating production paperwork, purchasing, customer communication, scheduling, quality documentation, and daily operational support.
This is not a desk-only administrative role. The ideal candidate enjoys being on the production floor, solving problems, communicating with customers and suppliers, and helping keep a manufacturing facility running smoothly.
Key Responsibilities
Operations & Production Support
- Support daily production scheduling and priorities.
- Prepare and distribute production paperwork and job packets.
- Maintain accurate production records and ERP (E2) data.
- Coordinate communication between production, engineering, purchasing, and customer service.
- Track open production issues until resolved.
- Assist with continuous improvement initiatives.
Purchasing & Inventory
- Create and process purchase orders.
- Monitor material shortages and supplier lead times.
- Follow up with vendors regarding deliveries.
- Maintain purchasing records and documentation.
- Assist with inventory accuracy and cycle count administration.
Customer Service
- Answer incoming customer inquiries professionally.
- Provide order status updates.
- Coordinate customer communication regarding shipments, schedules, and documentation.
- Ensure no customer emails or voicemails remain unanswered beyond 24 hours.
Administrative Excellence
- Maintain filing systems and operational documentation.
- Prepare reports using Excel and ERP data.
- Coordinate meetings and record action items.
- Assist leadership with projects and special initiatives.
- Maintain confidentiality of company information.
Quality & ISO 9001
- Maintain controlled documents.
- Assist with internal audit preparation.
- Support management review meetings.
- Track corrective actions and required follow-up.
- Ensure operational documentation meets ISO requirements.
Shipping & Logistics
- Coordinate outbound freight.
- Prepare shipping paperwork.
- Track deliveries.
- Assist with customer documentation requests.
Iron Warrior Administrative Standards
This position is expected to model administrative excellence every day.
Successful team members:
- Return all voicemails within 24 hours.
- Respond to customer emails within one business day.
- Maintain exceptional attention to detail.
- Keep accurate ERP records.
- Communicate proactively.
- Own problems until they are solved.
- Follow through on commitments.
- Maintain an organized workspace.
- Demonstrate professionalism with customers and coworkers.
- Support production with urgency.
Qualifications
Preferred:
- 2+ years of administrative experience in manufacturing or industrial operations.
- Experience with ERP systems (E2/JobBOSS preferred).
- Strong Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office skills.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Strong organizational ability.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Self-motivated with a high sense of ownership.
Compensation & Benefits
Pay: $24.00–$28.00 per hour (based on experience and qualifications)
Benefits Include:
- Comprehensive benefits package available
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Paid holidays
- 401(k) with company match (if applicable)
- Health, dental, and vision insurance (if applicable)
- Opportunities for professional growth and advancement within Anderson Foundries
Schedule:
- Full-time
- Monday–Friday
- Occasional overtime as needed to support production
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Desired Traits
We're looking for someone who:
- Loves solving problems.
- Doesn't wait to be told what to do.
- Thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Enjoys helping people succeed.
- Communicates clearly and professionally.
- Takes pride in organization.
- Wants to build a long-term career.
Success Looks Like
Within the first 90 days, this person will:
- Confidently navigate our ERP system.
- Support production scheduling.
- Process purchase orders accurately.
- Keep customer communication current.
- Maintain organized production documentation.
- Become a trusted resource for both the office and production teams.
Performance Expectations
Success in this role is measured by:
- Customer response times
- ERP accuracy
- Purchase order accuracy
- On-time administrative support
- Documentation completeness
- ISO compliance
- Team communication
- Production support effectiveness
- Initiative and continuous improvement contributions
Why Dakota Foundry?
Since 1977, Dakota Foundry has been producing high-quality gray and ductile iron castings for customers across America. As part of the Anderson Foundries family, we're building the future of American manufacturing through innovation, craftsmanship, and a commitment to our people.
If you're looking for more than just an office job—and want to make a direct impact on a manufacturing operation—we'd love to meet you.
Pay: $24.00 - $28.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Health insurance
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
