Director Quality

Itron, Inc. • Walhalla, SC

5d • Onsite

About The Position

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. Itron is seeking a 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 is a high‑impact, on‑site leadership position requiring a strong presence at our flagship South Carolina facility, as well as close collaboration with global partners, suppliers, and customers across the Utilities & Energy ecosystem.

Requirements

• Minimum of 15 years of progressive leadership experience in high‑volume, complex manufacturing environments, including electronics, automation, or multi‑product operations.
• Master’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience; Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (strongly preferred) or Mechanical Engineering.
• Demonstrated success leading and developing diverse, global quality organizations across multiple countries and regions, covering the full quality lifecycle (engineering, supplier/customer quality, MRB, and testing).
• Strong operational foundation with deep expertise in quality management systems and regulated industry standards, including ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.
• Extensive experience auditing against ISO 9001 standards and applying structured problem‑solving methodologies such as 8D, CAPA, DFMEA, PFMEA, and risk‑based management.
• Proven track record of implementing scalable systems, improving process capability, and reducing Cost of Poor Quality in complex manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead enterprise‑wide transformation through accountability, influence, and collaborative leadership.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, evaluating trade‑offs, and driving sustainable cost‑reduction initiatives.

Nice To Haves

• ISO 9001 Lead Auditor certification or Certified Quality Auditor (CQA).
• Six Sigma (Black Belt or Green Belt) or Lean Manufacturing certification.
• Proficiency with digital quality systems and manufacturing analytics tools, including SPC, MES, ERP, data visualization platforms, and digital document management systems.
• Experience leading quality organizations in IoT or IIoT‑enabled manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated results in process improvement, waste reduction, and customer satisfaction enhancement.
• Background in highly regulated industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical devices, or energy infrastructure.
• Advanced capability in data analytics and digital quality management solutions to support proactive, customer‑focused decision‑making.
• Proven ability to mentor, inspire, and retain high‑performing teams in dynamic, fast‑paced environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and continuously develop global teams spanning Quality Engineering, Final Product Testing, Operations Quality, Multi‑Site Supplier and Customer Quality, Material Review Board (MRB), Testing, and Laboratory functions.
• Build an inclusive, high‑performing global organization through thoughtful workforce planning, strategic hiring, coaching, mentoring, and succession planning.
• Define, track, and improve key quality performance indicators (KPIs), including Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ), Rolled Throughput Yield (RTY), Scrap, Rework, MRB performance, and 8D closure effectiveness.
• Partner collaboratively with Manufacturing and Operations leaders to reduce COPQ, Scrap, and Rework, while improving non‑conforming product handling, warranty performance, and return analytics to better serve customers.
• Integrate advanced and innovative quality methodologies—such as Design for Quality, DFMEA, PFMEA, and risk‑based decision‑making—across the full product lifecycle.
• Collaborate closely with the Director of Quality Systems to implement, scale, and continuously improve a compliant and agile global Quality Management System (QMS), including ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 standards.
• Provide clear, data‑driven quality insights and recommendations to executive leadership and cross‑functional stakeholders to support strategic decision‑making.
• Lead global deployment of scalable quality system solutions that proactively identify and mitigate risk across manufacturing and supply chain operations.
• Champion visible, authentic leadership on the shop floor and across the enterprise to drive sustainable cultural change aligned with corporate strategy.
• Act as a critical conduit between frontline manufacturing teams and enterprise‑level quality initiatives, leading multiple complex, cross‑regional transformation projects.
• Develop and execute long‑term quality strategies that align with business objectives, customer expectations, and the evolving needs of the Utilities & Energy technology market.
• Represent the company in industry forums, customer engagements, and quality‑related conferences to stay ahead of emerging trends, regulations, and best practices.

Benefits

• 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!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees