Lead Quality Technician

Lehigh Heavy Forge Corporation; Franklin (NH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental coverage

Retirement benefits

Paid time off

Professional development

Educational reimbursement

Fitness reimbursements

Employee discounts

Holidays

Job summary

Watts in Franklin, NH is seeking a Lead Quality Technician to provide senior quality leadership within a manufacturing environment. You will oversee quality activities on the assigned shift, lead audits, CAPA, and ensure compliance with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 while mentoring technicians and inspectors.

You will coordinate documentation, support PPAP/FAI, and collaborate with engineering and production teams to drive continuous improvement and prevent quality issues on the factory floor.

Qualifications

• Experience leading quality activities in a manufacturing setting.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards.
• Experience with audits, CAPA ownership, risk-based thinking, and document control.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and controlled documentation.
• Proficiency with inspection tools, measurement techniques, and data analysis.
• Ability to lead and influence without direct authority.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; ERP experience preferred.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands while maintaining compliance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as lead quality resource for assigned shift or product line.
• Provide technical leadership, coaching, and mentoring to quality staff.
• Ensure effective shift-to-shift communication of quality controls.
• Coordinate quality activities to meet ISO, customer, regulatory requirements.
• Develop and control quality/environmental documentation per standards.
• Lead and perform audits, and support registrar and customer audits.
• Lead root cause investigations and CAPA with verification of effectiveness.
• Review PPAP and First Article Inspection documentation with Quality Engineering.
• Support production decisions related to product conformity and disposition.
• Lead MRB activities and analyze nonconforming material, scrap, and cost of quality.
• Apply SPC and data analysis to monitor performance and drive improvement.
• Analyze supplier, in-process, customer quality, and environmental metrics.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations, Planning, and EHS.
• Support environmental aspects under ISO 14001 and waste minimization.
• Maintain housekeeping and comply with safety, environmental, and quality policies.
• Report injuries or incidents promptly.
• Maintain attendance and flexibility to support shift coverage.

Skills

ISO 9001

ISO 14001

Audits & CAPA

Read blueprints

Inspection tools

Leadership without authority

Communication skills

MS Office / Excel

MRP/ERP experience

Prioritization under pressure

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

MRP/ERP systems

Job description

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

Lead Quality Technician provides senior technical leadership and operational oversight of quality activities within an ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified manufacturing environment. This role serves as the primary quality point of contact for an assigned shift, area, or product line and is responsible for coordinating quality efforts, supporting audits, leading corrective actions, mentoring quality staff, and ensuring consistent application of quality and environmental standards.

The position carries decision-making authority without direct people-management responsibility.

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead quality resource for the assigned shift, manufacturing area, or product line, including off shift or limited-supervision periods.
• Provide technical leadership, coaching, and mentoring to Quality Technicians, Inspectors, and Manufacturing Associates.
• Ensure effective shift-to-shift communication and continuity of quality controls.
• Coordinate and prioritize quality activities to ensure compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, customer, regulatory, and company requirements.
• Develop, revise, and control quality and environmental documentation (procedures, work instructions, inspection plans, records) in accordance with document control standards, including release, revision, training, and archival.
• Lead and perform product, process, layered, and internal system audits; support external registrar and customer audits.
• Lead complex root cause investigations and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) activities, including verification of effectiveness and sustainability.
• Support review and approval of PPAP and First Article Inspection (FAI) documentation in collaboration with Quality Engineering.
• Support production decision-making related to product conformity, containment, release, deviations, and disposition.
• Lead or represent Quality in Material Review Board (MRB) activities, including evaluation of nonconforming material and analysis of scrap, rework, and cost of quality data.
• Apply statistical methods, SPC, and data analysis tools to identify risk, monitor performance, and drive continuous improvement.
• Analyze and communicate supplier, in-process, customer quality, and environmental performance metrics.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations, Planning, Supply Chain, and EHS to resolve quality and environmental issues.
• Support identification, control, and improvement of environmental aspects and impacts per ISO 14001, including waste minimization and proper material handling.
• Maintain housekeeping standards and comply with safety, environmental, and quality policies, including PPE requirements.
• Promptly report job-related injuries, illnesses, environmental incidents, or significant quality issues.
• Maintain attendance, punctuality, and flexibility to support shift coverage as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Quality Manager or Supervisor.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; advanced quality, technical, or environmental training preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in a manufacturing quality role, including senior or lead-level responsibilities.
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge of:
• ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems
• ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems
• Audits, CAPA ownership, risk-based thinking, and document control
• Advanced ability to read and interpret blueprints, specifications, standards, and controlled documentation.
• Strong proficiency with inspection tools, measurement techniques, and data analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, influence, and make decisions without direct authority.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (advanced Excel preferred); MRP/ERP experience preferred.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands while supporting production and maintaining compliance.

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 the Franklin, NH manufacturing facility, and will perform most of your duties in an office environment. You may, at times, be required to be present on the manufacturing floor and will be required to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment. You will be required to work Monday - Friday, 6:00am - 2:30pm). Your scheduled work hours will be communicated to you by your manager.

Physical Requirements:

• 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 lift and carry up to 35 pounds.
• Ability to physically move around manufacturing floor. Ability to read documents and communicate clearly with management and coworkers.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment, which may include, but is not limited to, safety shoes, hearing protection, and safety glasses.

#LIOnsite

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.