Sr. Quality Manager

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 Quality Manager is responsible for leading the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the organization’s Quality Management System and Quality Business System, ensuring products meet or exceed customer, regulatory, and certification requirements. This role provides strategic direction for quality assurance, supplier quality, production quality, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives. The position serves as the management representative for ISO 9001 and other applicable certifications, drives cross‑functional problem solving, and supports operational excellence across manufacturing and new product development environments.

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, deploy, and execute enterprise and site-level quality strategies aligned with business objectives, customer requirements, and regulatory obligations.
• Serve as the management representative for ISO 9001 certification and ensure ongoing compliance with corporate and external quality standards.
• Lead, mentor, and performance-manage Quality Engineers, Technicians, and Inspectors, including development planning and succession readiness.
• Promote a culture of accountability, customer focus, and continuous improvement across all functions.
• Own and continuously improve the Quality Business System, including document control, internal audits, corrective and preventive action (CAPA), and management review.
• Lead internal, customer, regulatory, and third‑party audits, ensuring effective closure of findings and sustained compliance.
• Maintain oversight of regulatory and certification requirements (e.g., ANSI, CSA, NSF, UL), ensuring standards are reflected in product and process designs.
• Ensure customer quality performance through ownership of customer metrics, RCCA execution, and direct customer communication on quality issues.
• Act as escalation point for customer quality spills and lead preventive action and containment activities.
• Partner with Operations and Engineering to ensure in‑process quality controls, statistical analysis, capability studies, gage R&R, and equipment validation are effectively deployed.
• Lead supplier quality strategy, including supplier assessments, audits, PPAP, SCAR management, and supplier development initiatives.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain and Materials Management to resolve chronic supplier quality issues and improve supplier capability and performance.
• Own quality deliverables within the NPD and stage‑gate processes, ensuring adherence to defined quality requirements at each phase.
• Approve quality readiness for product launches and sign off on quality gates.
• Lead Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce COPQ, scrap, and variability across manufacturing operations.
• Lead Material Review Board (MRB) activities and make product disposition decisions based on specifications and acceptance criteria.
• Manage and control the Quality budget, ensuring effective use of resources.
• Assume additional responsibilities and special projects as assigned by senior leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• 8+ years of quality experience in a manufacturing environment, including leadership responsibility for Quality systems, people, and processes.
• Strong working knowledge of ISO 9001, APQP, PPAP, SPC, CAPA, and regulatory/certification requirements.
• Lean Six Sigma certification (Black Belt preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional teams, manage change, and drive results.

General Applicable Company Competencies

Commitment to Watts’ values of integrity, accountability, continuous improvement and innovation, and transparency. Punctuality and dependability. Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing work priorities and stressful conditions. Adherence to all personnel policies, procedures, and standards of process as implemented by Watts. Maintain productive and collaborative relationships with other Watts employees. Adherence to Watts’ seven cultural beliefs: Growth Mindset, Customer‑Focused Innovation, Constant Communication, Clear Goals, Collaborate Globally, Be Inclusive, and Take Action.

Working Conditions

While performing the job duties, you will be working on‑site at a manufacturing facility and 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. You will be required to work in the office at the Menomonee Falls & Germantown location (Monday – Friday). Your scheduled work hours will be communicated to you by your manager.

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, organize or transport files, packages, or other office‑related materials. Ability to read documents, use a computer, and perform data entry tasks. 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 light objects, such as office supplies, documents, or small equipment.

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.

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:

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 Water is a global leader of quality water solutions for residential, industrial, municipal, and commercial settings.

Our family of brands offers some of the most varied product lines in the world, with world‑class, water‑related solutions focused on: Drainage and Water Reuse HVAC and Hot Water Plumbing and Flow Control Water Quality and Rainwater Harvesting

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.

Watts Water is a global leader of quality water solutions for residential, industrial, municipal, and commercial settings. Our family of brands offers some of the most varied product lines in the world, with world‑class, water‑related solutions focused on: Drainage and Water Reuse HVAC and Hot Water Plumbing and Flow Control Water Quality and Rainwater Harvesting

We are a $1.9 billion global company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) with a presence in five (5) continents and twenty-four (24) countries, and an employee population that speaks over eighteen (18) languages. As a people‑first company, we prize enriching and caring for all who work here not only through words but through actions. This includes executing our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy, and providing our employees with meaningful career growth opportunities, a positive and safe work environment, and affirmation that they are heard, valued, and respected. We are proud to be an organization that believes that a safer world is a more sustainable world – a belief that we proudly reflect in each of our technologies and solutions and our environmental and social commitments, such as our partnership with Planet Water Foundation. Learn more about the Watts way, here.

Specialties

Specialties Plumbing, HVAC, Water Quality, and Gas Headquarters Americas & Corporate Headquarters: North Andover, Massachusetts, USA Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa (APMEA) Headquarters: Shanghai, China Company Size About 5,000 employees Website Industry Machinery Founded 1874