Director Quality

About the role

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.

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.

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.
• Proven 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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Skills

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a matrixed environment.
• Leadership and team-building skills.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Project management and organizational skills.
• Technical knowledge of quality management systems and regulatory compliance.

Benefits

• Financial, social, health and wellbeing programs.
• Paid vacation.
• 401k matching.
• Employee stock purchase program.
• Hybrid work schedule.