Operations Quality Manager
Watts Water · Export, Pennsylvania, United States · onsite
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.
Scope of Position
To lead Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement initiatives that drive operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and business performance. This role is responsible for developing and advancing the Quality Management System (QMS), Production Quality, Supplier Quality, APQP, PPAP, CAPA, and continuous improvement programs to ensure sustainable results. The successful candidate will partner across Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Production to improve quality, reduce waste, increase efficiency, and deliver measurable business outcomes while building a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
This role offers an excellent opportunity for a high level Manufacturing Engineer, Industrial Engineer, Continuous Improvement professional, or Operations leader seeking to expand their leadership capabilities through ownership of quality systems and quality strategy while developing broader operational business leadership experience. Candidates with diverse manufacturing experience across engineering, operations, production, process improvement, supply chain, and quality functions are strongly encouraged to apply.
This position is responsible for supervision of the Quality Department (3-4 individuals).
This position reports to the Director of Operations. This role is onsite and based in Export, PA.
Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives that deliver measurable improvements in safety, quality, productivity, customer satisfaction, and operational performance.
- Partner with Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams to identify opportunities, implement solutions, and achieve targeted business results.
- Manage internal audits, CAPA processes, root cause investigations, and corrective action programs to eliminate recurring issues and improve process performance.
- Monitor customer quality performance, lead problem-solving activities, and drive timely resolution of quality concerns while improving customer satisfaction metrics.
- Support new product introductions through quality planning, validation, testing, and launch activities that ensure successful production readiness.
- Lead process capability studies, gage R&R activities, product testing, and manufacturing validations to improve process consistency and product quality.
- Manage supplier quality performance, including PPAP approvals, corrective actions, audits, and continuous improvement initiatives that improve supplier capability and performance.
- Lead and maintain the Quality Management System (QMS), ISO 9001 certification, and related compliance activities.
- Coordinate customer, supplier, regulatory, and certification audits while ensuring compliance with applicable standards and requirements.
- Lead MRB activities and make timely, data-driven quality decisions regarding product acceptance and disposition.
- Develop, coach, and lead the Quality team while establishing clear objectives, accountability, and performance expectations.
- Champion a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence across the organization.
- Support strategic business and operational improvement projects focused on growth, efficiency, quality, and profitability.
- Travel up to 5%.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Quality Engineering, or a related technical field.
- 5+ years of diverse manufacturing background spanning multiple functional areas such as Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Continuous Improvement, Production, Supply Chain, and Quality.
- 3+ years of leadership developing teams and mentoring future manufacturing leaders.
- Experience leading cross-functional initiatives focused on productivity, throughput, cost reduction, and operational performance.
- Demonstrated success leading Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement, or Operational Excellence initiatives that resulted in measurable business improvements.
- Experience with CAPA, root cause analysis, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
- Experience with PPAP, SPC, and supplier quality processes.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, quality systems, and process improvement principles.
- Proven track record of driving measurable results such as scrap reduction, cost savings, productivity gains, throughput improvements, quality improvement, customer satisfaction enhancement, or supplier performance improvement.
- Ability to collaborate across Production, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Operations teams.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and statistical analysis tools (Minitab preferred).
- Experience interacting with customers and suppliers to resolve quality and manufacturing issues.
- Strong communication, organizational, leadership, and project management skills.
- Experience with metrology, calibration, and measurement systems.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in automotive Tier II/Tier III, high-volume component manufacturing, industrial products, or similar process-driven industries.
- Experience with APQP, process validation, control plans, and new product introduction.
- Working knowledge of ISO 9001 systems and auditing processes.
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or similar certification.
- Working knowledge of AutoCAD or similar engineering software.
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. The temperature in the factory is not temperature controlled. The noise is loud. There is machinery, dust, fumes and particulates in the air. You will be required to work in the office at the Export 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.
- Abi