Global Supplier Quality Leader: NPI, PPAP & Audits | Hybrid

Urbint; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Annual bonus program

401k matching

Employee stock purchase program

Job summary

Itron is seeking a seasoned Supplier Quality Manager to oversee end-to-end supplier quality assurance for Tier 1 and 2 suppliers at our West Union, SC site. You will lead supplier qualification, audits, PPAP, NPI support, issue resolution, and risk management while guiding a Supplier Quality Engineering team.

You will collaborate with Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations and Customer teams to ensure supplier readiness and compliance with ISO 9001 standards. Travel up to 25% may be required.

Qualifications

• 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, specs, and technical requirements; broad manufacturing process knowledge.
• 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
• Travel up to 25%
• Spanish &/or French communication is a plus

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Skills

8D problem solving

ISO 9001

APQP

FMEA

MSA

SPC

PPAP

NPI support

lead global teams

supplier management

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical field

Job description

Itron is seeking a seasoned Supplier Quality Manager to oversee end-to-end supplier quality assurance for Tier 1 and 2 suppliers at our West Union, SC site. You will lead supplier qualification, audits, PPAP, NPI support, issue resolution, and risk management while guiding a Supplier Quality Engineering team.

You will collaborate with Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations and Customer teams to ensure supplier readiness and compliance with ISO 9001 standards. Travel up to 25% may be required.