Operations Manager

Job Description:

Join our Team: Operations Manager, On-Site

• Watertown, SD
• Full Relocation offered for the right candidate

Join our team and embark on an exciting opportunity as we seek an Operations Manager to lead operational excellence and execute our strategic vision. This role is critical to achieving our 5-year goals in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Morale.


We believe in fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture where every person is empowered to thrive. We're dedicated to driving quality, innovation, and continuous improvement while creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. If you share our passion for operational excellence and leadership, we want you on our team.


The Operations Manager will oversee multiple value streams and lead a team of supervisors and hourly team members to navigate daily production operations as well as drive team member engagement and operational improvement. This role requires a strategic leader with deep experience in manufacturing operations, lean principles, and continuous improvement. You will coach and develop leaders, drive cultural transformation, implement and improve existing systems that support repeatable processes, efficiency and customer satisfaction.


What You'll Bring

• Champion Safety & 5S Discipline : Embed Zero Harm principles and 5S into daily operations, ensuring compliance and hazard elimination.

• Drive Quality Excellence : Implement closed-loop feedback systems, using standard tools to make quality expectations visible and measurable initiating conversations and problem solving to meet our customer standards.

• Develop Leaders : Build leadership depth through coaching, IDPs, and cross-functional development, fostering psychological safety and accountability.

• Lead Digitalization & Automation : Apply automation and AI to reduce lead times, improve repeatability, and enable real-time performance visibility.

• Optimize Production & Support Areas : Scale infrastructure with growth plans, improve floor utilization, and improve aftermarket support processes.

• Deliver KPI Results : Achieve targets through structured problem-solving and continuous improvement.

• Evolve Current Daily Management Systems : Utilize Leader Standard Work, visual controls, and problem-solving frameworks to sustain improvements.

• Manage P&L and Strategic Planning : Align staffing, budgets, and production rates with customer demand and growth objectives.

What We're Looking For

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations.
• Proven success in lean manufacturing, automation, and continuous improvement.
• Experience leading teams and developing future leaders.
• Knowledge of metals fabrication, machining, assembly, and finishing processes.
• Ability to deliver measurable results aligned with strategic KPIs.

Your Impact


Strategic Priorities


Strengthen Safety & 5S Discipline : Eliminate hazards and ensure reliable operations.


Build Quality into Processes : Deliver defect-free assemblies with closed-loop feedback.


Develop Current and Future Leaders : Grow leadership depth and maintain psychological safety.


Digitalization and Automation : Apply AI and automation to improve performance.


Maximize and Expand Production and Support Areas : Optimize infrastructure and support growth.


Salary: The compensation range for this position is $114,000 - $140,000 annually/salary. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc.

This above description is non-exhaustive and there may be additional duties in accordance with the role.

Why Join Us

• We are a global company, and our culture is defined by our Values - Integrity, Respect, Improvement, Servant Leadership, Courage, and Citizenship. Check out this video! The Terex purpose
• Safety is an absolute way of life. We expect all team members to prioritize safety and commit to Zero Harm.
• Our top priority is creating an inclusive environment where every team member feels safe, supported, and valued.
• We make a positive impact by providing innovative solutions, engaging our people, and operating in a sustainable way.
• We are committed to helping team members reach their full potential.
• Through innovation and collaboration, our vision remains forward-looking, and we aim to be a catalyst for change, inspiring others to build a better world for generations.
• For more information on why Terex is a great place to work click on the link! Careers | Terex Corporate

If you are interested in an open position but feel you may not meet all the listed qualifications, we still encourage you to apply.

About Terex:

Terex Corporation is a global leader in specialized equipment solutions, serving essential sectors such as emergency services, waste and recycling, utilities, and construction. Our diversified portfolio positions us in resilient, high-demand markets with strong long-term growth potential.

We design and manufacture advanced specialty vehicles-including fire, ambulance, and recreational vehicles-alongside waste collection vehicles, materials processing machinery, mobile elevating work platforms, and equipment for the electric utility industry. Through our global dealer, parts and service network and true value-creating digital solutions, we deliver best-in-class lifecycle support, helping customers maximize return on investment.

With a strong manufacturing footprint in the United States and operations across Europe, India, and Asia Pacific, Terex combines global reach with local expertise to capture opportunities worldwide. Our strategy is clear: exceed customer expectations, invest in innovation, leverage our diversified portfolio, and deliver consistent, profitable growth for our shareholders.

For more information, please visit

Additional Information:

We are passionate about producing equipment that helps improve the lives of people around the world and providing our team members with a rewarding career and the opportunity to make an impact. We are committed to recruiting, engaging, developing, and retaining team members at all levels of our global workforce. Our culture is defined by our Terex Way Values - Integrity, Respect, Improvement, Servant Leadership, Courage, and Citizenship. Our values are the driving force behind our commitment to maintain an inclusive, supportive, non-discriminatory, and safe workplace for all team members. To that end, we are committed to actively foster a culture where every team member feels valued, listened to, and appreciated. We are committed to being fair and impartial in our decisions. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. If you are a qualified individual with a disability, including disabled veterans, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting the recruiting department (person or department) at View email address on click.appcast.io.


The Company offers competitive salaries, advancement opportunities, and a full range of benefits, including paid vacation, 401(k), medical, dental, and vision.