Senior Manager, Direct Buying

Watts Water Technologies•North Andover, MA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Direct Buying leads the enterprise-wide MRP Buying organization, ensuring replenishment signals, planning parameters, and master data reflect operational realities and business priorities. This role establishes strategy, governance, and performance standards to deliver the right product, at the right place and time, while optimizing inventory, cost, and service. This role is accountable for building the performance foundation of the MRP organization, including defining KPIs, driving visibility, and enforcing accountability. The position oversees MRP execution, data integrity, and supply issue resolution, partnering with Demand Planning, Scheduling, Sourcing, and Operations to align demand, supply, capacity, and supplier performance. A strong change agent is required to transform the organization into a high-performing, disciplined execution team by improving prioritization, speed, and operational rigor. This position is leading the MRP Buying team. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in materials planning, ERP/APS logic, and parameter governance, with proven experience driving transformation, implementing performance management systems, and leading change across a matrix organization.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required (Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, Business, Finance)
10+ years of experience in supply chain, materials planning, or MRP/DRP planning roles
3+ years in people leadership
Deep proficiency with MRP/DRP systems, ERP logic, and replenishment planning frameworks
Strong analytical capabilities with ability to transform data into insights and actions
Demonstrated ability to lead teams, influence cross-functional groups, and manage complex operational issues
Strong understanding of S&OP processes and planning parameter governance
Skilled in structured problem-solving, scenario analysis, and cost/service trade-off decision-making
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with executive-level presence

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred (MBA or Supply Chain/Operations specialization)
APICS or equivalent certification preferred
SAP HANA experience preferred
Experience with APS tools (e.g., Anaplan) and BI tools (PowerBI, Tableau) preferred

Responsibilities

Lead and develop the enterprise-wide team of MRP Buyers
Establish vision, operating standards, and performance expectations
Design and implement KPI frameworks to measure execution, responsiveness, inventory impact, and supplier performance
Create performance visibility through dashboards and reporting to drive accountability and decision-making
Own enterprise governance of MRP parameters (lead times, lot sizes, safety stock, ROP, MOQ)
Ensure master data accuracy across ERP/APS systems and lead remediation efforts
Standardize parameter governance and institutionalize regular reviews tied to supplier performance and S&OP
Oversee execution of MRP signals (reschedules, expedites, cancellations, PO releases)
Ensure timely escalation of supply risks and cross-functional resolution
Reduce MRP “noise” through improved logic, data quality, and workflows
Establish clear prioritization frameworks and drive proactive escalation culture
Manage inventory performance (turns, excess, aging, obsolescence) for purchased parts
Lead root cause analysis of service failures and implement corrective actions
Balance service, working capital, and risk through aligned replenishment strategies
Translate outcomes into actionable insights tied to daily execution
Improve ERP/APS planning logic to increase reliability and automation
Lead CI initiatives to enhance workflows, data governance, and exception handling
Partner with IT and Analytics to improve tools, dashboards, and planning models
Eliminate inefficiencies and standardize processes to support centralization
Align with Demand Planning, Scheduling, Sourcing, and Operations on supply execution
Communicate risks, trade-offs, and mitigation plans clearly to stakeholders
Lead Tier 1 forums for rapid issue resolution
Support organizational transition as buying activities are centralized
Reinforce a “right product, right place, right time” mindset
Ensure MRP actions support service levels and operational readiness
Communicate trade-offs clearly to enable aligned decisions
Develop and manage a team of MRP Buyers
Set clear expectations and reinforce accountability
Elevate team performance through prioritization, coaching, and standard work
Drive change management to embed new processes, performance discipline, and ways of working