Senior Buyer/ Planner

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.​

Position Summary :

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Buyer / Planner to join our manufacturing team in the valves industry. This role is crucial for ensuring the efficient planning, purchasing, and scheduling of materials, while maintaining optimal inventory levels and supporting production needs. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in ERP systems (SAP preferred), work order management, lean manufacturing principles, and supply chain best practices. This individual will be responsible for managing the end-to-end process of materials and production scheduling, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring timely delivery of high-quality products.

Key Responsibilities :

Master Scheduling & Planning :

Develop and manage master production schedules (MPS) to meet production requirements, while optimizing inventory levels.

Coordinate with production, engineering, and procurement teams to ensure on-time delivery of products.

Plan, schedule, and release work orders based on demand, lead times, and available resources.

Material Procurement & Inventory Management :

Collaborate with purchasing and suppliers to procure raw materials and components needed for production.

Monitor and manage inventory levels, ensuring stock availability while avoiding excess or obsolete inventory.

Regularly review inventory to ensure accuracy and manage excess and obsolete inventory.

ERP System Management :

Utilize ERP systems (SAP preferred) to generate purchase orders, work orders, and manage inventory, ensuring data accuracy.

Maintain Bill of Materials (BOM) structure in ERP system and ensure alignment with engineering changes and production needs.

Lean Manufacturing & Process Improvement :

Apply lean manufacturing principles to improve production processes and material flow.

Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in planning, purchasing, and scheduling functions.

Work closely with engineering and production teams to implement best practices in manufacturing and inventory management.

Cross-Functional Liaison :

Act as a liaison between engineering, production, quality, and procurement departments to resolve issues and meet production objectives.

Support the implementation of engineering changes and ensure these changes are reflected in BOMs, work orders, and schedules.

Work closely with the sales and customer service teams to manage customer orders and delivery timelines.

Capacity Planning :

Perform capacity analysis to ensure the production plan aligns with available resources and capacity.

Identify potential capacity constraints and work with production teams to resolve issues.

Data Analysis & Reporting :

Analyze inventory, procurement, and production data to provide actionable insights and recommendations.

Prepare and present regular reports on production schedules, inventory levels, material procurement, and any issues impacting delivery timelines.

Compliance & Best Practices :

Ensure compliance with all company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

Apply best practices in planning, purchasing, and scheduling, while continually striving for process improvements.

Qualifications & Requirements :

Experience :

7 years of experience in a manufacturing environment, with a focus on planning, purchasing, and scheduling.

Proven experience in managing ERP systems, with SAP knowledge preferred.

Strong understanding of lean manufacturing principles and best practices in supply chain management.

Experience in managing BOM structure, work orders, and engineering changes.

Experience in inventory management, including excess and obsolete inventory review.

Certifications :

APICS certification (CPIM or CSCP) is highly desired.

Skills :

Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes and production scheduling.

Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and ERP systems (SAP experience preferred).

Education :

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field preferred.

As the Senior Buyer / Planner, you will be a key member of our manufacturing team in the valves industry, ensuring the efficient planning, purchasing, and scheduling of materials while maintaining optimal inventory levels. You will leverage your expertise in ERP systems (with SAP preferred), work order management, lean manufacturing principles, and best practices in supply chain to support production needs and deliver high-quality products on time . Collaborating with cross-functional teams, you will manage materials from end to end, championing continuous improvement throughout the process.

You Will :

Manage master production schedules (MPS), work orders, and inventory levels to ensure on-time delivery of quality products.

Coordinate raw material and component procurement, collaborating closely with internal departments and suppliers.

Update ERP systems (SAP preferred) for purchase orders, BOM structures, and work orders, ensuring data accuracy.

Apply lean manufacturing methods and continuous improvement initiatives to streamline processes, reduce waste, and maximize efficiency.

Conduct capacity analysis and forecast future demands, maintaining balance between inventory and production needs.

Work with sales and customer service to align customer orders with production schedules and address any delivery constraints.

Oversee engineering changes, integrating updates into BOMs, work orders, and schedules to reflect current requirements.

Analyze and optimize inventory levels, monitoring for excess or obsolete stock and implementing corrective actions.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams—production, engineering, procurement, and sales—to resolve issues and ensure seamless operations.

You Have :

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field.

7 years of relevant experience in planning, purchasing, and scheduling in a manufacturing environment.

Proficiency in ERP systems, with SAP knowledge strongly preferred .

Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles and best practices in supply chain management.

Experience managing BOM structures, work orders, and implementing engineering changes.

The expected salary range for this position is $92,000 - $110,000 yearly. Actual compensation will be dependent upon individual skills, experience, qualifications, and applicable laws.

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 :

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.

Salary : $92,000 - $110,000