Regional Supplier Business Manager

Itron is revolutionizing how utilities and cities manage energy and water.We are committed to creating a more sustainable, resourceful world.Join us.The Regional Supplier Business Manager (SBM) is responsible for on-site management of Procurement related activities supporting cost, quality and supply assurance with strategic Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) partners.The SBM will provide thought leadership from a procurement perspective, driving systematic solutions to effectively manage the business while engaging cross functional resources from both Itron and the EMS supplier.This role will report to Global Supplier Business Manager at Itron and will have a hybrid work model - with part time onsite support at a strategic EMS in Guadalajara, Mexico required.**Duties & Responsibilities**:- Implement and manage a robust cost process to manage quarterly pricing updates to maximize savings opportunities to meet organizational goals.- Identify strategic cost reduction opportunities and drive for implementation.- Analyze, negotiate, and manage cost variances arising from component pricing, changes in defined work scope, demand fluctuations or other impacts.- Initiate and manage the RFQ process.- Negotiate and manage all Non-Recurring Expenses (NRE) by coordinating with appropriate functional owners and confirmation with supplier.- Track supplier inventory levels and projected Excess and Obsolete material liability.Strategically drive mitigation actions to reduce or eliminate liability for Company.- Manage execution of New Product Introduction (NPI) programs to support product development timeline.Focus includes pre-production build schedules and supplier readiness to support necessary materials, process, and tooling to meet program objectives.- Oversee successful implementation of Engineering Change Orders (ECO's) including cost impact analysis.- Organize and facilitate cross-functional monthly Operational reviews of supplier performance to defined Key Performance Indicators (KPI's).- Implement procurement initiatives, process improvements, and get global cross-functional feedback on the success of global procurement programs.- Work with key cross functional owners to define and implement efficient and effective business processes for interactions between Company and Contract Manufacturing partners.- Drive strategic supply assurance initiatives to increase material flexibility including implementation of Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI), Continuous Replenishment Programs (CRP), buffer stock agreements, etc.**Preferred** **Skills & Experience**:- 3-5 years of experience in a similar position as Procurement Professional- Experience in working in contract manufacturing business model.- Experience managing PCBA and mechanical assembly commodities.- Understanding of Bill of Material (BOM) structures and Product Life Management (PLM) tools- Ability to analyze supply / demand data to generate a demand water fall analysis to assign appropriate ownership of supply chain impacts.- Experience in using data from ERP systems (SAP or Oracle experience)- Excellent supplier management and negotiation skills- Thorough price/cost evaluation skills and first-rate financial analysis skills- An understanding of risk management and its implications- Demonstrated capability to work collaboratively in a global work environment based in a remote location.- Excellent cross-functional team leadership skills both internal and external resources- Ability to define and implement new processes and procedures.- Track record of influencing a driving impact with diverse set of functional stakeholders- Excellent communication skills verbal and written in English and Spanish are required.- Good problem-solving skills.- Thorough knowledge and skill with Microsoft suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)**Education**:BA or BS degree (or equivalent) in Business or EngineeringLI-LG1