Materials Manager

Materials Manager

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.

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

This highly motivated and results-driven individual, as part of the Operations Leadership team, will be responsible for oversight of all aspects of inventory control, ensuring the company has a steady flow of materials to meet production needs. This involves coordinating with internal teams, oversight of all inventory control staff, managing vendor relationships, coordinating supply chain activities, and maintaining optimal inventory levels. The Materials Manager role requires strong organization and priority management skills, attention to detail, and the ability to negotiate effectively with suppliers.

This position has the following direct reports: 3 Exempt Planners, 1 purchasing agent, and 2 hourly reports.

This position reports to the Plant Manager, is onsite, and is based in Saint Pauls, NC.

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide senior-level leadership and oversight of shipping, receiving, planning, procurement, and inventory control functions, ensuring alignment with operational, financial, and customer service objectives.
• Establish and continuously improve enterprise-wide material management strategies, including policies, procedures, controls, and systems to optimize cost, working capital, service levels, and operational efficiency.
• Lead the planning and execution of end-to-end materials management activities, including procurement, inventory control, production planning, and quality coordination, to support manufacturing schedules and customer demand.
• Ensure quality, continuity, and timeliness of material flow by maintaining balanced inventory levels, mitigating supply risk, preventing stock-outs, and minimizing excess and obsolete inventory.
• Own inventory performance metrics, including inventory turns, backorders, past-due backlog, cash flow impact, and service levels, and drive corrective actions to achieve targets.
• Partner with Sales, Marketing, Operations, and Finance to develop robust demand forecasts, including new product introductions, and maintain rolling short- and mid-term inventory and cash flow projections.
• Provide strategic leadership to Planning personnel in the effective use of Master Production Scheduling (MPS), Material Requirements Planning (MRP), and ERP systems, ensuring data integrity and disciplined processes.
• Oversee procurement governance, including review and approval of key purchase orders, change notices, claims, and contracts to ensure compliance with company policy and risk management standards.
• Allocate and prioritize procurement and planning resources, ensuring alignment to business priorities and capacity constraints.
• Direct the identification, disposition, and recovery value of surplus, excess, and obsolete inventory.
• Act as a senior cross-functional leader, influencing decisions across operations, supply chain, finance, and commercial teams; drive collaboration and escalation where needed to resolve complex supply challenges.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team, building capability, succession, and a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision making.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in materials management, supply chain, planning, and/or procurement
• 2+ years in a senior leadership or people management role.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional material planning and inventory strategies within a manufacturing or distribution environment.
• Strong executive communication skills, with the ability to analyze and interpret complex business data and present recommendations to senior leadership.
• Deep expertise with ERP, MRP/MPS systems, and planning tools, along with strong proficiency in Microsoft 365 and data analysis applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean, Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification strongly preferred.
• A proven track record of driving measurable operational improvement.
• Advanced analytical capability, including statistical analysis and financial trade-off evaluation across service, cost, and working capital.
• Proven ability to solve complex, ambiguous problems and lead change in environments with limited standardization.
• Demonstrated ability to lead in matrixed organizations, influence without authority, and align stakeholders across functions.

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 St Pauls location Monday Friday, with an occasional Saturday. 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.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment, which may include, but is not limited to, safety shoes, hearing protection, and safety glasses.

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:

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,