JobsGenerac

New Product Introduction Sourcing Specialist

Generac · Waukesha, WI

Posted Aug 16, 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 had to source a component for a brand-new product with no existing supplier relationship. How did you find and qualify the supplier?

whether the candidate has real experience building a supply base from scratch versus just managing existing vendors

Tell me about a negotiation where total cost, not just piece price, changed the outcome.

whether they actually understand total-cost analysis versus just chasing the lowest quote

Describe a time an engineering change came through late in a program and disrupted your sourcing plan. How did you handle the cost and supplier impact?

real exposure to ECO chaos and whether they can keep costed BOMs and supplier commitments in sync under change

Tell me about a time you had to deliver bad news about cost or schedule to a program team. How did you frame it?

communication skill and comfort being the bearer of unwelcome supply chain news to stakeholders

Give me an example of a VA/VE idea you brought forward. What was the outcome?

whether they proactively look for cost reduction or just react to problems

Technical

How do you run an RFQ from start to finish for a new NPI part? What information do you need from Engineering before you even send it out?

practical fluency with the sourcing process and whether they know what specs and drawings are prerequisites

What's your approach to deciding whether a component needs a dual-source or alternate supplier versus staying single-source?

depth of risk-assessment thinking around supply continuity, not just a textbook answer

How have you used SAP, or a similar ERP, day to day for managing POs, supplier confirmations, and material data?

actual hands-on ERP fluency versus surface familiarity

Tell me about a PPAP you managed. What went wrong, if anything, and how did you get it resolved before production release?

real experience with the PPAP process and problem-solving when approvals stall

How do you keep a costed BOM accurate when quotes, tooling costs, and tariffs are all shifting at the same time?

attention to detail and command of the commercial data that finance and program teams rely on

Situational

Say you're three weeks from a validation build and a key supplier tells you they can't hit the delivery date on a long-lead electrical component. What do you do first, and who do you loop in?

how they triage a launch risk under time pressure and whether they instinctively involve the right cross-functional partners

If you found out a single-source supplier for a critical enclosure was having financial trouble two months before launch, what would your mitigation plan look like?

ability to build a concrete risk mitigation plan rather than a vague statement about monitoring

How do you approach handing off a supplier relationship and materials to Production Purchasing once a launch stabilizes? What makes that transition go smoothly or badly?

understanding of the full NPI-to-production lifecycle and whether they think about continuity, not just their own piece

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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? The New Product Introduction (NPI) Sourcing Specialist plays a key role in bringing new products from development to production. You’ll own sourcing, supplier coordination, and material readiness for assigned NPI programs, ensuring the right materials are available at the right cost, quality, and timing. You’ll work closely with Engineering, Program Management, Quality, Operations, Planning, Purchasing, Finance, and suppliers to manage sourcing activities, resolve material challenges, and proactively address supply and launch risks. What You’ll Do Sourcing & Supplier Management • Lead RFQs, quote analysis, supplier evaluations, negotiations, and total-cost assessments • Source components, assemblies, fabricated parts, electrical components, enclosures, and other NPI materials • Identify and qualify new, alternate, and dual-source suppliers • Build strong supplier relationships and monitor cost, quality, delivery, capacity, and launch readiness • Support supplier design reviews focused on manufacturability, functionality, cost, and launch requirements • Maintain supplier documentation and Approved Vendor Lists (AVL) Material Readiness & NPI Execution • Ensure materials are available for prototypes, validation builds, production launch, and stabilization • Manage NPI POs, supplier commitments, confirmations, delivery schedules, and changes • Proactively resolve shortages, late deliveries, quality issues, and other material risks • Coordinate PPAP orders, inspections, engineering approvals, and production release requirements • Support material forecasting based on build plans, demand, and supplier lead times • Partner with Planning, Purchasing, and Operations to maintain accurate ERP data • Execute expediting, risk buys, advanced purchases, and supplier recovery actions as needed • Transition suppliers and materials to Production Purchasing after launch stabilization Cost & Commercial Management • Evaluate supplier pricing, tooling, NRE, logistics, tariffs, and other commercial factors • Maintain accurate Costed BOMs (CBOM), standard costs, and sourcing data • Identify cost-reduction opportunities through negotiation, alternate sourcing, volume leverage, VA/VE, and process improvements • Support resolution of pricing, PO, invoice, and other supplier commercial issues • Support sourcing and cost analysis for engineering changes, material transfers, and sustaining activities Risk & Cross-Functional Leadership • Assess supplier capacity, lead time, quality, financial, geographic, and supply continuity risks • Develop mitigation plans for single-source, constrained, long-lead, and high-risk components • Represent Sourcing/Supply Chain in NPI core teams, program reviews, build readiness meetings, and launch activities • Communicate material status, supplier commitments, costs, risks, and recovery plans to stakeholders What you'll bring: • Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain or a related field OR four years of relevant experience in a supply chain role within a comparable environment.  • Proven experience with engineering change processes • Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills • Exceptional project management abilities • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and communicate insights effectively • Demonstrated ability to manage shifting deadlines and priorities in a fast-paced environment • Experience with SAP or a similar ERP system • Understanding of inventory management principles • Background in the new product development cycle • Willingness to travel up to 10% as required Why This Role Matters This role is at the intersection of engineering, supply chain, suppliers, and operations. Your work will directly influence how successfully new products move from concept to production—helping the organization launch products on time, at the right cost, and with a reliable supply base. “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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