JobsGenerac

New Product Introduction Sourcing Specialist

Generac · Belvidere, IL

Posted Aug 17, 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

Tell me about a time you had to qualify a new or alternate supplier under time pressure. What did you check before you trusted them with your parts?

judgment around supplier risk versus schedule pressure

Describe a project where an engineering change came through mid-program. How did you handle the impact on your sourcing plan and existing POs?

experience with engineering change processes and how they ripple into supply chain decisions

Tell me about a time you had to convince Engineering or Program Management to change direction because of a sourcing or supplier risk you saw coming.

ability to influence cross-functional partners with data rather than just flag problems

Describe a negotiation with a supplier where you didn't get the price you wanted at first. How did you move them?

negotiation approach and whether they use leverage, data, or relationship tactics

Technical

Walk me through how you'd run an RFQ for a new enclosure or fabricated part on an NPI program, from getting the spec to picking a supplier.

whether the candidate actually knows the mechanics of sourcing new parts, not just the vocabulary

How have you used total-cost analysis rather than just piece price when comparing supplier quotes?

depth of understanding of true sourcing cost versus surface-level price comparison

What's your process for building and maintaining a Costed BOM, and how do you keep it accurate as design changes come in?

hands-on familiarity with CBOMs and standard cost data discipline

How have you used an ERP system like SAP to manage POs, supplier commitments, and delivery schedule changes on a program with a lot of moving parts?

real day-to-day ERP fluency versus general familiarity

Walk me through how you've coordinated a PPAP submission, including what you check before you sign off on production release.

understanding of quality gates before a part goes into full production

Situational

Say a supplier confirms a delivery date for a validation build, then tells you two weeks before that they're going to miss it. What do you do in the next 48 hours?

how the candidate triages a live material shortage and who they loop in

You've got a single-source component with a long lead time and the launch date is fixed. How do you build a mitigation plan?

structured thinking on supply continuity risk for constrained parts

How do you decide when it's the right time to hand a supplier and its materials off from NPI sourcing to Production Purchasing?

understanding of the launch stabilization criteria and readiness to let go of ownership appropriately

You're sitting in a build readiness meeting and three different functions want three different answers on material status. How do you communicate the real picture without losing anyone's trust?

clarity and honesty in cross-functional status reporting under pressure

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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. Generac is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The salary range for this role based in Peoria, IL is $67,700 - $101,600 USD. This compensation will ultimately be in line with the location in which the position is field. Final compensation for this role will be determined by various factors such as a candidate’s relevant work experience, skills, certification, and geographic location. This role is eligible for variable compensation including short-term and long-term incentives. “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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