Global Supplier Quality Manager

Itron is innovating new ways for utilities and cities to manage energy and water. We create a more resourceful world to protect essential resources for today and tomorrow. Join us.

The Supplier Quality Manager oversees end-to-end Supplier Quality Assurance for Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers globally and will based at our West Union, SC manufacturing facility. The role ensures supplier capability, quality performance, and readiness for new and existing products across assigned commodities, technologies, and market segments. Responsibilities include supplier qualification, audits, PPAP, NPI support, issue resolution, continuous improvement, and supplier risk stratification. This position partners closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, and Customer teams, while leading and developing a Supplier Quality Engineering team.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Supplier Quality Assurance

• Qualify suppliers through audits, capability assessments, and contract/PO quality requirements.

• Manage supplier readiness for NPI and new source qualification.

• Lead part and product qualification (PPAP) and design reviews.

• Drive structured problem‑solving (8D) for customer, warranty, supply, and plant issues.

• Monitor supplier KPIs such as DPPM, 8D cycle time, and PPAP cycle time.

• Support plant operations with MRB disposition, containment, and issue tracking.

• Ensure adherence to compliance and quality system requirements.

• Evaluate supplier process capability and conduct process and quality system audits.

• Review PFMEA, control plans, critical-to-quality characteristics, and measurement systems.

• Support design-for-manufacturability, tolerance analysis, and technical specification reviews.

• Approve PPAPs and drive corrective actions for supplier-related product and process failures.

• Support plant operations with troubleshooting and nonconformance disposition.

People Management

• Lead, coach, and develop the Supplier Quality Engineering team.
• Set goals, manage performance, and allocate resources.
• Build capability, drive accountability, and support hiring and onboarding.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work with Engineering on design reviews, DFM/A, and PPAP deliverables.
• Partner with Supply Chain on supplier selection, performance, and escalations.
• Support Manufacturing/Plant teams with quality issues and production readiness.
• Coordinate with Program Management, R&D, Plant operations, Quality, Finance, and Compliance teams as needed.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, or related technical field.

• 8+ years of Supplier Quality, Manufacturing Quality, or related technical quality experience.

• Experience working with suppliers in a manufacturing or product‑driven environment.

• Demonstrated experience with NPI, new source qualification, and PPAP/APQP activities.

• Strong knowledge of quality systems (ISO 9001).

• Proficiency in core quality tools (APQP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, 8D).

• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical requirements; knowledge of a broad range of manufacturing processes.

• Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt or equivalent certification

• Strong communication and supplier‑management skills.

• Ability to lead global teams, drive accountability, and influence cross‑functionally

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• ASQ CQE, CQM, CSQP, or similar professional certification
• Spanish &/or French communication is plus

Travel: Up to 25%

Physical Demands:

This is a typical office job, with no special physical requirements or unusual work environment.

Benefits Info:

This position also includes a competitive benefit package including; financial, social, health and wellbeing programs, paid vacation, 401k matching, employee stock purchase program, hybrid work schedule, and more! This position is eligible for our annual bonus program.

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Itron is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce and providing an authentic workplace experience for all employees. If you are excited about this role but your past experiences don't perfectly align with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway. In the end, you may be just who we are looking for!

The successful candidate's starting wage will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills and experience.

Itron is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you require an accommodation to apply, please contact a recruiting representative at 1-800-635-5461 or email [email protected].

Itron is transforming how the world manages energy, water and city services. Our trusted intelligent infrastructure solutions help utilities and cities improve efficiency, build resilience and deliver safe, reliable and affordable service. With edge intelligence, we connect people, data insights and devices so communities can better manage the essential resources they rely on to live. Join us as we create a more resourceful world: www.itron.com