Purchasing 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 bycustomers in residential and commercial settings across the world.We areat theforefront of innovation, working with cutting-edge technology to provide smart andconnected, sustainable water solutions for the future. Watts is a leading brand with aquality reputation - and we have a dynamic future ahead.

The Purchasing Manager is responsible for overseeing all purchasing and materials planning activities to support production and business objectives. This role is central to managing supplier performance, ensuring material availability, controlling inventory costs, and aligning purchasing strategies with the overall supply chain and organizational goals. The Purchasing Manager will work cross-functionally with operations, engineering, quality, and finance to optimize sourcing decisions, support new product launches, and implement continuous improvement initiatives. This position is responsible for supervision of the Procurement team. This position reports to the Sr. Supply Chain Manager.

This role is onsite in Menomonee Falls, WI.

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Buyer Planners with a focus on performance management, professional development, and cross-training.
• Set clear goals and expectations, evaluate individual and team performance, and provide regular feedback and coaching.

Strategic Procurement & Planning

• Oversee and manage the procurement of materials, components, and services to support production and inventory targets.
• Review and optimize planning parameters in the ERP system (Epicor), including safety stock, reorder points, and lead times.
• Monitor purchasing KPIs, including on-time delivery, supplier performance, material cost variances, and inventory turns.

Supplier Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to ensure reliability, quality, and competitive pricing.
• Lead supplier evaluations, selection, negotiations, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Resolve escalated supplier issues and ensure corrective actions are implemented.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as a key liaison between purchasing and internal stakeholders across Operations, Quality, Engineering, Logistics, and Finance.
• Support cross-functional teams during new product introductions (NPIs), ensuring timely sourcing and material readiness.

Continuous Improvement & Data Analytics

• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance procurement efficiency, material flow, and planning accuracy.
• Utilize ERP and data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI) to drive insight-based decision-making.
• Champion Lean principles and standard work within the purchasing function.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure adherence to company purchasing policies, ethical standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Mitigate supply risk through contingency planning, alternate sourcing strategies, and supplier diversification.

Other Duties

• Support budgeting, cost-saving initiatives, and audits as needed.
• Participate in strategic sourcing projects and cross-functional improvement teams.
• Travel up to 10%.
• Assume responsibility for other projects and duties as assigned by Sr. Supply Chain manager or Company management.
• Responsibility directly tied to Watts Value (Integrity, Accountability, Continuous Improvement, Transparency)
• Travel Requirements: up to 10%

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in procurement, purchasing, or materials planning roles, with 3+ years in a leadership capacity.
• Proficiency with ERP systems
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office and data analysis tools such as Power BI.
• Understanding of and adherence to applicable laws, codes, policies, regulations, and safety practices and procedures, as applicable.
• Must successfully establish employment eligibility and satisfactorily complete background checks and required pre-employment testing as a condition of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency with Epicor
• APICS (CPIM/CSCP) or ISM (CPSM) certification
• Master's degree or MBA preferred

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 primarily 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 location (Monday - Friday). Your scheduled work hours will be communicated 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.

#LI (Onsite)

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.