Global Supplier Quality Manager

Itron; United States; Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Annual bonus program

401k matching

Employee stock purchase program

Health and wellbeing programs

Paid vacation

Job summary

Itron is seeking a Supplier Quality Manager to oversee end-to-end supplier quality assurance for Tier 1 and 2 suppliers worldwide from its West Union, SC site. You will lead audits, PPAP, and NPI readiness while driving continuous improvement and supplier risk management.

You will manage a Supplier Quality Engineering team, collaborate across Engineering, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing, and ensure compliance with quality systems. Travel up to 25% is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, or related technical field.
• Experience with NPI, new source qualification, and PPAP/APQP activities.
• Strong knowledge of quality systems (ISO 9001).
• Proficiency with core quality tools (APQP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, 8D).
• Experience with suppliers in manufacturing or product-driven environments.

Responsibilities

• Qualify suppliers through audits, capability assessments, and contract/PO quality requirements.
• Manage supplier readiness for NPI and new source qualification.
• Lead PPAP and design reviews; drive corrective actions for supplier-related issues.
• Lead 8D problem-solving for customer, warranty, supply, and plant issues.
• Monitor supplier KPIs (DPPM, 8D cycle time, PPAP cycle time).
• Support plant operations with MRB disposition, containment, and issue tracking.
• Ensure compliance with quality system requirements.
• Lead and develop Supplier Quality Engineering team; manage goals and resources.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, and Customer teams.

Skills

8D problem solving

APQP

FMEA

MSA

SPC

Quality tools

Six Sigma Green/Black Belt

Supplier management

NPI support

Education

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

ASQ CQE or similar certification

Tools

PPAP/APQP processes

ISO 9001 knowledge

Job description

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 programs
• social programs
• health and wellbeing programs
• paid vacation
• 401k matching
• employee stock purchase program
• hybrid work schedule
• annual bonus program

Itron is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce and providing an authentic workplace experience for all employees.

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.

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