Operations Manager – Lawn Care

Kuberski Brothers Lawn Care is a growing, professionally run lawn care and landscaping company serving commercial and residential clients across Central Iowa. We are adding a new Operations Manager role to help lead, strengthen, and scale our day-to-day operations.

This is a critical leadership position with real authority and long-term upside. We are looking for someone who can step in on day one, work within our existing systems, and bring leadership, intuition, and a growth mindset—without needing to be told exactly what to do every step of the way.

Why This Role Exists

As we continue to grow year over year, we need an operations leader who can:

• Take ownership of daily execution
• Lead people effectively
• Keep crews productive and accountable
• Improve efficiency while maintaining quality

Success in this role is measured by growth, efficiency, equipment uptime, strong teams, and satisfied clients.

What Success Looks Like in the First 90 Days

You'll know this role is a win if you:

• Demonstrate strong leadership, work ethic, and initiative from day one
• Operate confidently within our systems and technology
• Make smart, timely decisions without constant direction
• Show problem-solving ability and operational intuition
• Earn the respect of crews through consistency and capability

We are not hiring someone to maintain the status quo—we are hiring someone to lead and improve.

Core Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations for commercial and residential mowing
• Support and help manage the chemical application division, including:
• Route planning and optimization
• Application timing
• Compliance documentation
• Customer issue resolution
• Schedule crews, manage routes, adjust for call-offs, and solve daily challenges
• Lead crews in the field when needed, including operating equipment
• Manage shop operations and equipment maintenance:
• Belts, blades, oil changes, filters, and general upkeep
• Coordinate major repairs with outside mechanics
• Supervise, coach, discipline, and when necessary terminate employees
• Assist with hiring, onboarding, and developing mowing and fertilizer crews
• Be on-call during peak season for breakdowns and staffing issues
• Assist with snow routing, winter equipment prep, and winter operations
• Identify inefficiencies and implement improvements
• Major changes discussed with ownership
• Smaller decisions made independently

Time Breakdown (Typical Week)

• Shop / Equipment Maintenance: ~50%
• Office / Scheduling / Planning: ~30%
• Field / Crew Leadership: ~20%

Experience & Qualifications

• 5–10 years of green industry experience
• Strong background in:
• Lawn care and fertilization
• Commercial mowing operations
• Green industry leadership
• Strong understanding of chemical applications
• License required or ability to obtain
• Comfortable managing people, priorities, and pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Mechanically inclined with hands-on equipment experience
• Prior Operations Manager experience preferred, but a strong senior foreman with leadership ability will be considered

Tools, Systems & Expectations

This is a technology-driven role with minimal paper processes. Candidates must be comfortable using and learning systems immediately, including:

• Real Green by WorkWave
• Jobber
• SynkedUp
• Gusto
• Routing, scheduling, time tracking, and chemical compliance platforms

You will have access to operational data and will be measured on:

• Route efficiency
• Equipment uptime
• Labor hours vs. production
• Client retention
• Quality and safety standards

Team & Leadership Scope

• Manage 12+ employees during peak season
• Crew experience levels range from entry-level to seasoned
• Help build leadership depth and support new foremen
• Ownership will support hiring and early-season transitions

Who Thrives in This Role

• Outgoing – communicates clearly with crews and ownership
• Capable – takes ownership and follows through
• Level-headed – stays calm under pressure

Growth & Long-Term Opportunity

Kuberski Brothers Lawn Care is targeting 15–20% year-over-year growth. This role directly supports that growth by:

• Adding and managing crews
• Improving margins and efficiency
• Expanding services
• Assisting with sales when appropriate

Compensation & Benefits

• Full-time, year-round position
• Peak season hours: 50–60 hours/week
• Target compensation: $25–$30/hour (salaried), based on experience
• Benefits include:
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Health insurance
• Company vehicle or fuel card
• Performance-based growth opportunities

Raises and bonuses are tied to both company growth and individual performance.

Reporting & Start Date

• Reports primarily to ownership
• Formal check-ins every few weeks, with ongoing communication
• Ideal start date: Mid-January
• We are hiring now and willing to wait briefly for the right candidate

If you are an experienced green-industry professional who wants real responsibility, influence, and long-term growth, we encourage you to apply.

Pay: $ $30.08 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 – 50.0 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Lawn Care Managerial : 3 years (Preferred)
• Lawn care: 5 years (Required)

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• 3OT License (Required)
• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Ames, IA Required)

Work Location: In person