Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager

About this role

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.​

Scope of Position

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager is the hands-on change leader for an important Watts complex—responsible for building a visible, practical CI culture that improves Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Engagement. This role is performed on the floor, at the Gemba, coaching and leading improvements side-by-side with teams, especially an energetic hourly CI team (7 direct reports) drawn from the facility workforce that is eager to learn and needs strong daily coaching. The CI Manager partners with site leadership, BU/Platform leaders, and the Regional CI Team to deliver improvements tied to site strategy and the customer. Reports to: Site Director of Operations • Location: Onsite, Franklin, NH • Travel: up to 25%

Primary Job Duties & Responsibilities • Lead by doing personally lead kaizens, rapid improvements, and problem-solving on real processes; set the “how we improve” standard through visible role-model behavior. • Coach and develop people daily: train and coach hourly and salaried teams in real time to build confidence and capability in CI basics and disciplined execution. • Own the site CI execution: Uses One Watts Performance System (OWPS) tools, routines (daily management, standard work, visual management, tiered accountability) and ensure sustainment. • Drive strategy to execution: facilitate strategy/goal deployment and translate priorities into an active, cross-functional improvement funnel and roadmap. • Deliver measurable business impact: identify and prioritize opportunities; track, validate, and multilevel communications and balanced-scorecard results (AOP and beyond). • Run CI governance per playbook: lead the CI steering committee, remove barriers, and ensure cross-functional alignment with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Finance. • Benchmark and spread best practices: identify internal/external best practices and help replicate what works across the site and Watts.

Required Qualifications • Operations-minded leader with 7+ years in manufacturing/operations and a track record of hands-on improvement delivery (not just facilitation). • Bachelor’s degree (Engineering, Operations, Business, or related) or equivalent experience. • Demonstrated ability to lead and coach teams on the floor, influence across functions, and build engagement with hourly and salaried workforces. • Proven results improving productivity; SQDC, with the ability to translate CI work into measurable financial/operational impact. • Strong capability in practical Lean methods (e.g., VSM, daily management, standard work, visual management, 5S, SMED, TPM, material flow/layout, structured problem solving). • Excellent facilitation, communication, and organizational skills; comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced plant environment. • Proficiency in Excel/PowerPoint/Word; strong data sense and the ability to communicate clearly to all levels.

Preferred Qualifications • Lean transformation or Six Sigma Black Belt strongly preferred. • Operations supervision or production management preferred. • SAP experience 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 working on-site at a manufacturing facility and will be required to be present on the manufacturing floor. You will be required to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment. You will be required to work in the office at the Franklin, NH location (Monday – Friday). 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 stand for long periods of time. • Ability to physically move around manufacturing floor. • 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, responsibil

Similar jobs

• Continuous Improvement Manager — Valmont · Elkhart IN
• Continuous Improvement Manager — Regal Rexnord · Monticello, Indiana, United States | Lafayette, Indiana, United States
• Continuous Improvement Manager — Regal Rexnord · Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
• Continuous Improvement Manager — Stanley Black & Decker · Jackson, TN
• Continuous Improvement Manager — Regal Rexnord · Downers Grove, Illinois, United States
• Continuous Improvement Manager — Lineage · Des Moines, IA (East Madison)
• Continuous Improvement Manager — Idexcorp · West Henrietta, New York
• Continuous Improvement Manager — Copeland · Forney, TX