Director, Global Manufacturing Quality

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.

This is a pivotal moment in our company’s journey—one defined by our commitment to an enterprise-wide quality transformation. We are shifting from a reactive, legacy approach to an initiative-taking, system-driven quality culture, and seeking a visionary leader to become our Director, Global Manufacturing Quality. Reporting to the Vice President of Global Quality, this executive will lead operational execution and strategic alignment globally, embedding quality at every stage of the value chain. This high-impact, on-site leadership role will require a strong presence at our flagship South Carolina facility, as well as engagement across our worldwide manufacturing network.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead global Quality Engineering, Final Product Testing, Operations, Multi-Site Supplier and Customer Quality, Material Review Board (MRB), Testing, and Lab teams.

• Oversee workforce planning including strategic hiring, coaching, and team development to build a high-performing global team.

• Define, manage, and drive improvements in key performance indicators (KPIs) such as Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ), Rolled Throughput Yield (RTY), Scrap, Rework, MRB, and 8D closure performance.

• Partner with manufacturing operation team to reduce COPQ, Scrap, and Rework rates, and improve non-conforming product handling and warranty/return analytics.

• Integrate advanced quality methodologies (e.g., Design for Quality, DFMEA, PFMEA, and risk-based decision-making) across product lifecycles.

• Partner with the Director of Quality Systems to implement and continuously improve global Quality Management System (QMS) compliance (ISO 9001, 45001).

• Provide strategic quality insight and leadership to executive and functional teams.

• Implement and scale quality system solutions globally to proactively mitigate risk.

• Champion visible leadership and foster sustainable change aligned with corporate strategy.

• Serve as a conduit between shop floor and enterprise-level quality initiatives, leading multiple large-scale global projects in alignment with business strategy.

• Develop and implement strategic quality initiatives that align with the company's long-term goals and objectives.

• Represent the company in industry forums and quality-related conferences to stay abreast of emerging trends and best practices.
   

Required Skills & Experience:

• Minimum 15 years of progressive leadership experience in high-volume, complex electronics or mult-product large scale automatization in manufacturing environments.

• Master's degree in related field or equivalent experience. Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (strongly preferred) or Mechanical Engineering.

• Demonstrated ability to manage and develop global quality teams across multi-country/region operations, including full quality lifecycle (engineering, supplier/customer quality, MRB, and testing).

• Strong operational background with expertise in quality management systems and regulated industry standards (ISO 9001,14001).

• Extensive experience auditing against ISO 9001 standards and advanced use of structured problem-solving and quality tools (8D, CAPA, DFMEA, PFMEA, risk-based management).

• History of implementing scalable systems, improving process capability, and reducing cost of poor quality.

• Proven leadership in driving organizational transformation through visible leadership and influence.

• Strong financial acumen with the ability to manage budgets and drive cost-saving initiatives.
   

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Certification or Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) designation.

• Six Sigma (Black Belt or Green Belt) or Lean Manufacturing certification.

• Proficiency in software quality systems and manufacturing analytics tools (data visualization, SPC, MES, ERP, digital document management).

• Experience in quality leadership for IoT or IIoT environments.

• Demonstrated results in process improvement, waste reduction, and customer satisfaction enhancement.

• Experience in leading quality initiatives in a highly regulated industry, such as aerospace, automotive, or medical devices.

• Proficiency in advanced data analytics and digital quality management tools.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor high-performing teams in a dynami