Director of Quality

Job Description:

Join our Team: Director of Quality, Onsite
Watertown, South Dakota

Join our team at Terex Utilities and embark on an exciting opportunity as we seek a skilled and dedicated Director of Quality to contribute to the Terex Utilities team in Watertown, SD.

At Terex we believe in fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture where every person is empowered to thrive. We're dedicated to driving quality, innovation, embracing diversity, and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. We're committed to excellence in everything we do, and we're seeking talented individuals who share our passion and values to join our team.

As the Director of Quality, you will have a strong background in quality management practices for steel fabrication, assembly, and installation. This position is based at our state-of-the-art facility and offers an exciting opportunity for a professional who values contributing their talents, being rewarded for high performance, and taking pride in their accomplishments.

What you’ll do

The Director of Quality is responsible for developing, planning, and executing the strategy for our Quality Department. This leader will drive both strategic and tactical quality functions, ensuring integration and alignment across all departments, including Engineering, Manufacturing, Assembly, Installation, and Manufacturing Engineering (ME’s). The Director will also work closely with Field Services and Warranty teams to understand customer-reported issues, creating actionable items to reduce warranty expenditure and increase customer satisfaction. As TEREX is a premium brand, the Director of Quality will ensure that our quality standards are the best in the industry, upholding TEREX’s reputation as a leading provider of premium products.

• Develop, implement, and manage a comprehensive Quality Management System (QMS) to support the company's strategic goals.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the QMS to support long-term growth and effectiveness.
• Implement and oversee Product Line Quality Management (PLQM) to meet specific product quality requirements.
• Conduct risk analyses, including FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis), to proactively address potential quality issues.
• Lead quality initiatives across product lines to ensure safe, high-quality products and processes.
• Audit processes and products, from the design phase through to QMS compliance, ensuring robust quality controls.
• Maintain and enhance ISO certification programs, ensuring ongoing compliance with industry standards.
• Utilize data-driven approaches to measure and communicate quality performance (KPIs) for transparency and continuous improvement.
• Integrate and Align Quality Initiatives Across Departments: Collaborate closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Assembly, Installation, and Manufacturing Engineering (ME’s) teams to ensure that quality objectives are embedded in all processes and that inter-departmental goals align with quality standards.
• Connect with Field Services and Warranty Teams: Engage regularly with Field Services and Warranty departments to understand customer feedback, identify recurring issues, and develop actionable improvement plans to reduce warranty costs and enhance customer satisfaction.
• Uphold TEREX’s Premium Brand Quality: Drive a culture of excellence to ensure that TEREX's quality standards set the benchmark in the industry, reinforcing TEREX’s reputation as a premium product provider.
• Strengthen Supplier Quality processes, including supplier audits, to ensure high-quality, low-risk products and processes.
• Collect, analyze, and report on warranty data monthly and annually, performing root cause analysis and implementing preventive measures.
• Establish and enforce Product Line requirements for Incoming/Receiving Inspections, Internal Gate Inspections, and final product testing.
• Enhance receiving inspection processes to prevent nonconforming products from entering inventory.
• Oversee Material Review Board (MRB) processes, collecting, analyzing, and acting on related data.
• Organize and lead regular quality meetings to review performance, share updates, and align goals.
• Develop and implement a continuous improvement process to identify best practices and benchmark opportunities across all sites.
• Enhance ERP and master data systems to support product development and quality controls.
• Manage parts quality, stop shipments, recalls, and containment processes, maintaining awareness of similar activities at other sites.
• Evaluate and optimize the quality team structure to improve efficiency, capacity, and resource allocation.
• Plan and implement an internal audit program, aligning with corporate internal audit standards.
• Oversee Incoming Quality, Internal Quality, MRB, final Product Quality, and Warranty functions as they relate to internal quality standards.
• Standardize document control processes across the organization.
• Provide training on root cause analysis techniques, including 5 Why’s and 8D methodologies.
• Oversee local and regional standards, collaborating with departmental experts to ensure alignment.
• Develop, release, and manage new standards, including documentation, training, and document control.
• Train local teams and suppliers on new or updated standards and norms to ensure compliance.
• Establish QMS documentation and standards with local suppliers, driving consistent quality across the supply chain.

What you’ll bring

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Industrial Management, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience managing a team in Quality, Operations, Industrial Engineering, or Manufacturing Engineering.
• Expertise in Quality Management Systems, including implementation, drawing interpretation, measurement systems analysis, and FMEA.
• Certifications from the American Society for Quality (e.g., CMQ/OE, CQE, CSSBB) are highly preferred.
• Strong communication skills, including interpersonal, written, verbal, presentation, and training abilities.
• Demonstrated teamwork skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse personalities and backgrounds.
• High level of confidentiality and sound judgment in decision-making.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to direct and motivate a team of professionals and shop staff.
• Demonstrated ability to enhance productivity and improve quality processes while being cost-conscious.
• Strong commitment to continuous improvement and quality excellence.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to provide actionable insights and input across the organization.
• Experience in a flexible, empowering work environment.
• High-energy, professional demeanor with the ability to engage and influence others effectively.
• Willingness to travel up to 15%.

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!
• 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.
• We offer competitive salaries, health insurance (medical, dental, vision, Rx), life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D), short-term and long-term disability, extended leave options, paid time off, company holidays, 401k matching, employee stock purchase plan, legal assistance, wellness programs, tuition reimbursement and discount programs.
• For more information on why Terex is a great place to work click on the link -

The compensation range for this position is $137,000-$168,000 annual 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.

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

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 industrial equipment manufacturer of materials processing machinery, waste and recycling solutions, mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), and equipment for the electric utility industry. We design, build, and support products used in maintenance, manufacturing, energy, minerals and materials management, construction, waste and recycling, and the entertainment industry. We provide best-in-class lifecycle support to our customers through our global parts and services organization, and offer complementary digital solutions, designed to help our customers maximize their return on their investment. Certain Terex products and solutions enable customers to reduce their impact on the environment including electric and hybrid offerings that deliver quiet and emission-free performance, products that support renewable energy, and products that aid in the recovery of useful materials from various types of waste. Our products are manufactured in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific and sold worldwide.

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 . 

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