JobsGenerac

Global Sourcing Manager

Generac · Jefferson, WI

Posted Jun 24, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

Behavioral

Walk me through a time you built a global sourcing strategy from scratch for a category or new product. What did you look at first and what did the final plan actually change?

whether the candidate can structure a sourcing strategy end to end rather than just execute one someone else designed

Tell me about a supplier negotiation where you had leverage and one where you didn't. How did your approach differ?

real negotiation range and self-awareness about when tactics need to change

Tell me about a time a new product development timeline was at risk because of a sourcing delay, maybe around PPAP samples. What did you do?

ability to keep sourcing from becoming the bottleneck in NPD launches

You manage sourcing specialists, some possibly overseas. Tell me about a time you had to redirect someone's priorities midstream because business needs shifted.

people management skill and comfort adjusting team direction under pressure

Tell me about a time you had to manage a vendor relationship across multiple product lines with competing internal stakeholders wanting different things from that supplier.

cross-functional coordination skill and how they resolve internal conflict over supplier priorities

You're 25 percent of your time traveling, some of it overseas. Tell me about a trip that changed a decision you'd already made from your desk.

whether they treat supplier visits as genuine diligence or a formality

Technical

What's your process for evaluating a new manufacturing source on technical capability, not just price?

depth of hands-on knowledge of supplier qualification beyond spreadsheet cost comparisons

How do you track and act on DPPM data month to month, and what's a case where a DPPM trend led you to make a supplier change?

whether they actually use quality metrics operationally, not just report them

Describe your experience with injection molding, die casting, or metal stamping suppliers specifically. What do you check on a shop floor visit that a data sheet won't tell you?

hands-on manufacturing literacy versus purely administrative procurement background

What ERP or sourcing systems have you used day to day, and how did you use data from them to make a sourcing decision?

comfort with SAP-type systems and data-driven decision making, not just tool familiarity

Situational

Say you're consolidating raw material suppliers across two business units and the cheaper supplier has a higher Country of Origin risk flag. How do you decide?

ability to weigh cost against risk rather than defaulting to lowest price

A key overseas supplier suddenly faces a new labor law or EPA-type regulatory change in their country. How do you find out, and what do you do first?

awareness of global regulatory risk and whether they have a real process versus reacting after the fact

How do you set a cost savings target for a category, and what happens when you're tracking behind at midyear?

whether they can own a number responsibly and course-correct instead of just reporting a miss

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The full job description

As published by Generac.

We believe power is a promise - a shared commitment to be there for others when it matters most. For more than 65 years, we've turned big ideas into solutions that help protect homes, strengthen businesses and build a more resilient, efficient, sustainable energy future. Ready to Power a Smarter World with us? Responsible for managing and implementing global sourcing strategy that supports new product development, profitability enhancement programs (PEP) and business group growth initiatives.  In addition, the Manager, Global Sourcing is tasked with managing and improving supplier performance in cost, quality and delivery, negotiating contracts with preferred suppliers, and identifying and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: • Sourcing Strategy • Develop, Plan Implement Global Sourcing strategy to determine competitive solutions for manufacturing. • Consolidation of raw materials and suppliers • Develop supplier relationships to include cost negotiations and risk mitigations. • Communicate with vendors on performance improvements, cost reductions and maintenance of best-in-class quality standards. • Research and analyze vendors for cost, quality, County of Origin risk, and capacity. • Deliver solutions to drive continued business success to secure best cost and payment terms. • Implement and manage long term contract agreements to deliver the best quality, delivery, and cost. • Evaluate new and existing manufacturing sources for technical capabilities, manufacturing capabilities, quality, forward progression, and cost competitiveness. • Develop a strong understanding of overseas regulations, EPA, labor laws, and currencies. • Sourcing Management: • Manage daily/weekly sourcing analytics in multi sourcing country environments. • Setting and executing cost saving targets to meet company goals. • Assist teams in setting priorities and readjusting when required as business needs. • Quality DPPM rates monitored monthly. • Research alternative Country of Origin sources and make recommendations to internal teams for speed to market, quality, and cost reductions. • Manage all sourcing activities in all New product Developments, including purchasing initial PPAP samples. • Manage and develop sourcing KPI’s. • Implement and manage long term contract agreements to deliver the best quality, delivery, and cost controls. • Collaborate with product teams in managing vendor relationships and negotiations over multiple product lines. • Responsible for coaching, developing of sourcing specialists, including performance reviews, and day to day projects. • Lead supplier correspondence on purchase orders, improve terms, and quality of rejected products. Minimum Qualifications: • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience • 5 years Global Sourcing, Supply Chain, Purchasing, or related experience including proven capability in global supply chain management. • Experience in commodity management, finished goods, and component sourcing required including indirect sourcing. • Available for 25% overseas and domestic travel. Preferred Qualifications:  • Global Sourcing and manufacturing experience – North America and Asia a must, additional countries a plus • 1-2 years of people management experience, preferably including management of employees in other countries • Experience using SAP or equivalent ERP System • CPIM or APICS equivalent combination of education and / or experience (backgrounds: Global sourcing, Commodity Management, Materials Management, Procurement, Project Management • Ability to prioritize with strong attention to detail. • Experience analyzing and interpreting data in a procurement setting. • Skilled in using Microsoft Excel and Powerpoint. • Hands-on manufacturing and/or supply chain experience preferred. • Continuous improvement, Six Sigma concepts & methodologies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: • Experience component sourcing required including indirect sourcing • Understanding manufacturing processes, supplier capabilities, industry trends, tooling, injection moldings processes, metal processes (die casting, metal stamping) • Supervisory experience • Interpersonal, verbal, written and presentation skills • Exhibit strong negotiating skills with proven success • Excellent organizational, determined individual (seeking) • International sourcing a key plus Great Reasons to work for Generac:  • Competitive Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, 401k and many more • Many employee activities  • Scheduled events throughout the year that allow our employees, both current and retirees, to gather together and enjoy their time with their families and co-workers • Eligible for summer hours! (Memorial Day – Labor Day) • Pride! When a storm strikes, Generac employees always rise to the occasion. Each time a storm hits many employees volunteer their time with the customer support team or on the production line while others go right into storm-affected areas to repair generators • We believe in having fun. From minor celebrations to major events, our employees balance their work by building a strong culture of teamwork and collaboration through a variety of occasions, including our Fun Days.  • Every day is Jeans Day! Dress for your day. • Product loan and discount programs   Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear; and use hands to manipulate objects or controls.  The employee is regularly required to stand and walk.  On occasion, the incumbent may be required to stoop, bend, or reach above the shoulders.  The employee must occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Specific conditions of this job are typical of frequent and continuous computer-based work requiring periods of sitting, close vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Occasional travel.  “We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.”

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