Senior Quality Engineer - Large Projects

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.​

To provide leadership in Quality Assurance by ensuring that the company meets or exceeds customer requirements by developing, improving and maintaining a The Sr. Quality Engineer- Large Projects will provide Quality Assurance leadership to ensure the company meets or exceeds customer requirements by developing, improving, and maintaining a consistent methodology for compliance and continuous improvement. Focus areas include the Management of Customer Quality, New Product Development Quality, Supplier Quality, Production Quality, Sustaining Quality for the Large Project area, and Quality Business Systems.
This position is based at our St. Pauls, NC manufacturing location. The majority of your duties will be performed in an office environment. This position will focus on our new products, specifically within the Large Project area, with the goal of bringing new products to market and fully supporting them in the field. This role will be a corporate role with influence on individual sites being the primary operating mode. This position reports to the site Quality Manager.
Note: Relocation assistance is available.
The Sr. Quality Engineer- Large Projects, should have a diverse background including career experience in other functional areas in addition to Quality. The ideal candidate will be curious and able to work effectively with ambiguity. The role will help to set standards needed for Large Projects.
Travel required: Up to 50%

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Leadership in Customer Quality issues – Working with Watts manufacturing sites and Customer Service, to establish and maintain best practices in Customer Quality assurance to include
  • Root cause/corrective action and follow up.
  • Program management of customer issues.
  • Tracking, trending, and reporting customer issues.
  • Global resolution of these issues as needed.
  • Elevating Customer Interaction Standards for all of Quality.
• New Product Introduction/Development for Large Projects
  • Be an integral team member/quality practitioner of the NPD process (NPD process = Quality Process).
  • Ensure adherence to the pragmatic application of the NPD process; assist in active requirement management.
  • Ensure new products are fully grounded with procedures, active requirement management/development/verification, sampling and quality plans, required certifications, and all classic quality requirements for launch.
  • Continuously assess performance and close gaps.
  • Promote best practices and norms for this process and ensure adherence.
  • Develop, track, score, and improve NPD Quality metrics.
• Supplier Quality – Working with Corporate Supplier Quality, initially in the focus area of Large Projects
  • NPD verifications for suppliers of Large Projects.
  • Ensure Supplier capability assessments/quality audits are complete for Large Projects.
  • Support Supplier Development to ensure suppliers meet documented requirements.
  • Communicate with suppliers concerning PPAP, SCAR, and CI activities.
  • Enforce proper supplier management processes.
  • Interface with Materials Management.
• Liaise/connect across sites on key Quality Assurance issues including
  • Sharing best practices in Production Quality management, Supplier Quality Management, Regulatory, and certifications best practices, domestic or international Codes and Standards activities, and the NPD process.
  • Promoting those standards across all Watts sites.
  • Supporting the Quality Council.
  • Staying updated re: site certifications/audits.
  • Advancing Quality tools across the business including robust RCCA, PPAP, gage R&R’s, SPC, process controls, process/product audits, etc.
• Maintain and support the Corporate Quality Operating System including
  • Support MOR analysis and reporting.
  • Data reporting and integrity.
  • Support eCAB.  Standing up and chairing the corporate executive corrective action board.
  • Annual and Strategic Planning.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related engineering, manufacturing, or business discipline.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification preferred. 
• A minimum of 7+ years of experience with the use and implementation of Total Quality concepts in a manufacturing environment.
• A minimum of 7+ years of management experience in a manufacturing environment.
• A minimum of 7+ years Lean Six Sigma experience and training.     
• Experience in basic Metrology and Calibration.
• Prior experience with the implementation and use of Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Advanced Analytical Techniques is required.
• Comprehensive knowledge of engineering, Lean Six Sigma, and quality principles, concepts, practices, and theories.
• Proficiency using MS Office required.  Minitab proficiency preferred.
• Ability to work with Customer/Supplier representatives on all quality related issues.
• Excellent organizational skills with focus on detail.
• Previous exposure to AutoCAD or other design-related software tools.

General Applicable Company Competencies

• Commitment to Watts’ values of integrity, accountability, continuous improvement, innovation, and transparency.
• Ability to collaborate across workgroups and communicate effectively.
• Results-driven and committed to delivering high quality work.
• Customer-focused
• Able to initiate positive change
• Adherence to all personnel policies, procedures, and standards of process as implemented by Watts.
• Enforcement of company safety policies.
• Adherence to Watts’ seven cultural beliefs: Growth Mindset, Customer-Focused Innovation, Constant Communication, Clear Goals, Collaborate Globally, Be Inclusive, and Take Action.

Working Conditions

At times, you may be required to be present on the manufacturing floor and will be required to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (safety glasses, hearing protection and safety shoes).  The temperature in the factory is not temperature controlled. The noise is loud. There are machinery, dust, fumes, and particulates in the air.

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 and shop floor.
• Ability to read documents and use a computer.
• Ability to communicate clearly with management and coworkers, particularly in meetings or during calls.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment such as computers, printers, phones, and copiers.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

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: 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.