Senior Manager, Direct Buying

We’re Watts. Together, we’re reimagining the future of water.

We feel proud every day about what we do. We're all part of the same crucial mission, no matter what function we support -- it's to provide safe, clean water for the world, and to protect our planet's most valuable resource.

What we do:

For 150 years, Watts has built best-in-class products that are trusted by customers in residential and commercial settings across the world. We are at the forefront of innovation, working with cutting-edge technology to provide smart and connected, sustainable water solutions for the future. Watts is a leading brand with a quality reputation — and we have a dynamic future ahead.​

The Senior Manager, Direct Buying leads the enterprise-wide MRP Buying organization, ensuring replenishment signals, planning parameters, and master data reflect operational realities and business priorities. This role establishes strategy, governance, and performance standards to deliver the right product, at the right place and time, while optimizing inventory, cost, and service. This role is accountable for building the performance foundation of the MRP organization, including defining KPIs, driving visibility, and enforcing accountability. The position oversees MRP execution, data integrity, and supply issue resolution, partnering with Demand Planning, Scheduling, Sourcing, and Operations to align demand, supply, capacity, and supplier performance. A strong change agent is required to transform the organization into a high-performing, disciplined execution team by improving prioritization, speed, and operational rigor. This position is leading the MRP Buying team. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in materials planning, ERP/APS logic, and parameter governance, with proven experience driving transformation, implementing performance management systems, and leading change across a matrix organization.

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the enterprise-wide team of MRP Buyers
• Establish vision, operating standards, and performance expectations
• Design and implement KPI frameworks to measure execution, responsiveness, inventory impact, and supplier performance
• Create performance visibility through dashboards and reporting to drive accountability and decision-making
• Own enterprise governance of MRP parameters (lead times, lot sizes, safety stock, ROP, MOQ)
• Ensure master data accuracy across ERP/APS systems and lead remediation efforts
• Standardize parameter governance and institutionalize regular reviews tied to supplier performance and S&OP
• Oversee execution of MRP signals (reschedules, expedites, cancellations, PO releases)
• Ensure timely escalation of supply risks and cross-functional resolution
• Reduce MRP “noise” through improved logic, data quality, and workflows
• Establish clear prioritization frameworks and drive proactive escalation culture
• Manage inventory performance (turns, excess, aging, obsolescence) for purchased parts
• Lead root cause analysis of service failures and implement corrective actions
• Balance service, working capital, and risk through aligned replenishment strategies
• Translate outcomes into actionable insights tied to daily execution
• Improve ERP/APS planning logic to increase reliability and automation
• Lead CI initiatives to enhance workflows, data governance, and exception handling
• Partner with IT and Analytics to improve tools, dashboards, and planning models
• Eliminate inefficiencies and standardize processes to support centralization
• Align with Demand Planning, Scheduling, Sourcing, and Operations on supply execution
• Communicate risks, trade-offs, and mitigation plans clearly to stakeholders
• Lead Tier 1 forums for rapid issue resolution
• Support organizational transition as buying activities are centralized
• Reinforce a “right product, right place, right time” mindset
• Ensure MRP actions support service levels and operational readiness
• Communicate trade-offs clearly to enable aligned decisions
• Develop and manage a team of MRP Buyers
• Set clear expectations and reinforce accountability
• Elevate team performance through prioritization, coaching, and standard work
• Drive change management to embed new processes, performance discipline, and ways of working

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required (Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, Business, Finance)
• Master’s degree preferred (MBA or Supply Chain/Operations specialization)
• APICS or equivalent certification preferred
• 10+ years of experience in supply chain, materials planning, or MRP/DRP planning roles; 3+ years in people leadership
• Deep proficiency with MRP/DRP systems, ERP logic, and replenishment planning frameworks
• SAP HANA experience preferred
• Experience with APS tools (e.g., Anaplan) and BI tools (PowerBI, Tableau) preferred
• Strong analytical capabilities with ability to transform data into insights and actions
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, influence cross-functional groups, and manage complex operational issues
• Strong understanding of S&OP processes and planning parameter governance
• Skilled in structured problem-solving, scenario analysis, and cost/service trade-off decision-making
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with executive-level presence

General Applicable Company Competencies

• Commitment to Watts’ values of integrity, accountability, continuous improvement and innovation, and transparency.
• Ability to collaborate across workgroups and communicate effectively.
• Results-driven and committed to delivering high quality work.
• Customer-focused
• Able to initiate positive change
• Ability to work with ambiguity
• Adherence to all personnel policies, procedures, and standards of process as implemented by Watts.
• Enforcement of company safety policies.
• Adherence to Watts’ seven cultural beliefs: Growth Mindset, Customer-Focused Innovation, Constant Communication, Clear Goals, Collaborate Globally, Be Inclusive, and Take Action.

Pay Range:

The expected salary range for this position is $165,000-186,000 yearly. Actual compensation will be dependent upon individual skills, experience, qualifications, and applicable law.

Working Conditions:

This is a Hybrid role in the North Andover Corporate location, and you will perform the majority of your duties in an office environment.  You may, at times, be required to be present on the manufacturing floor and will be required to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (safety glasses, hearing protection and safety shoes).  The temperature in the factory is not temperature controlled. The noise is loud. There is machinery, dust, fumes and particulates in the air.

Physical Requirements: Specific physical abilities required for this position include, but are not limited to:

• Ability to remain seated at a desk or workstation for extended periods.

• Ability to perform repetitive tasks like typing on a keyboard or using a mouse for extended periods.

• Ability to physically move around the office and shop floor.
• Ability to read documents, use a computer.
• Ability to communicate clearly with management and coworkers, particularly in meetings or phone calls.

• Ability to operate standard office equipment such as computers, printers, phones, and copiers.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Nothing in this job description restricts Watts’ right to assign or reassign duties, responsibilities, and working hours/conditions to this position at any time. This position is “at will,” which means that either the employee or Watts may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without notice, and for any lawful reason.

#LI (Hybrid)

Watts in it for you:

Please note that the following benefits apply only to permanent roles and do not apply to internship roles.

• Competitive compensation based on your skills, qualifications and experience
• Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits
• Family building benefits, including paid maternity/paternity leave
• 10 paid holidays and Paid Time Off
• Continued professional development opportunities and educational reimbursement
• Additional perks such as fitness reimbursements and employee discount programs
• Learn more about our benefit offerings here: https://tapintowattsbenefits.com/

How we work:

At Watts, our culture is team-oriented and supportive. Employees here genuinely care about the quality of their work, and about each other. Our people are the heart of who we are and contribute to our longevity and continued success.

And this is a place where you can have a big career. No matter your role, there are opportunities for learning and development, and your daily contributions make a meaningful impact on the lives of people who use our products and on the future of water.

Watts is committed to equal employment opportunity. We follow a policy of administering all employment decisions and personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, genetic disposition or carrier status, marital status, military or veteran status, minorities, or any other category protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Consistent with the obligations of state and federal law, Watts will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Any employee who needs a reasonable accommodation should contact Human Resources.