Vice President Operations

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.​

As the Vice President of Operations, you will set and execute the strategic vision for our manufacturing, quality, and purchasing functions to ensure safety, exceptional quality, and operational excellence. Overseeing multiple departments and reporting to senior leadership, you will develop initiatives to optimize productivity, manage facilities, drive Lean Manufacturing practices, and maintain a collaborative culture. This role focuses on meeting core growth and profitability targets while building an engaged, high-performing team.

You Will:

• Establish and execute strategic operational objectives, including production goals, quality standards, and customer-service strategies.

• Develop manufacturing financial strategies by forecasting requirements, managing budgets, and initiating corrective actions to minimize variances.

• Lead continuous improvement efforts, implementing Lean Manufacturing, 5-S, and single-piece flow systems.

• Ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements, upholding ASME certifications and compliance with collective bargaining agreements.

• Oversee daily activities for production, quality assurance, logistics, purchasing, and facilities, ensuring on-time customer shipments and a safe work environment.

• Drive cost reduction and resource optimization to enhance operational performance and profitability.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Finance, Sales, Engineering) to support new product integration, facility planning, and inventory management.

• Manage and develop direct reports in Quality, Manufacturing, Logistics, Purchasing, and Facilities, conducting performance appraisals and succession planning.

• Maintain strong relationships with customers and industry leaders, representing the manufacturing organization to internal and external stakeholders.

You Have:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 15+ years of manufacturing and operations experience, including 10+ years in progressive supervisory or leadership roles.

• Proven track record in employee relations, safety compliance, quality control, and process improvement within a manufacturing environment.

• Expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma methodologies, product costing, and robotics.

• Ability to integrate acquired entities successfully and manage complex, large-scale operational changes.

• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, with experience supervising operations teams (Quality, Manufacturing, Logistics, Purchasing, Facilities).

• A customer-focused mindset, proactive drive for results, and the ability to work cross-functionally with multiple departments and sales channels.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, talk, and/or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, sit, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include: close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

Work in both office and manufacturing environment. May occasionally be required to perform job duties outside the typical office setting.

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.