JobsGenerac

New Product Sourcing Specialist - Purchasing

Generac · Waukesha, WI

Posted Sep 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 negotiated with a supplier on both cost and timeline at the same time. What happened?

negotiation skill and ability to balance competing priorities like cost versus schedule

Describe a situation where a supplier's on-time delivery performance was slipping during the development phase. How did you manage it?

proactiveness in supplier performance management and escalation judgment

Tell me about an engineering change order that affected a part you were sourcing. How did you manage the transition without disrupting supply?

real experience with ECO processes and cross-functional coordination with engineering

Tell me about a technical design review you led or took part in with a supplier. What issue came up and how was it resolved?

comfort discussing manufacturability and functionality directly with suppliers, not just cost

Give me an example of when priorities shifted suddenly on a project you were managing. How did you adjust?

adaptability and organization in a role explicitly described as fast-paced with shifting deadlines

Technical

Walk me through how you'd analyze quotes from three suppliers for a new part, using total cost of ownership rather than just piece price.

whether the candidate actually applies TCO/should-cost thinking instead of defaulting to lowest quoted price

How do you keep a Costed Bill of Material accurate and current when a project has multiple engineering changes happening at once?

attention to data integrity and process discipline in a fast-moving NPI environment

What's your experience with SAP, and have you ever acted as a super user or gone-to person for others on a system?

depth of ERP fluency versus surface-level exposure

How do you approach sourcing a brand new supplier for a part with no purchase history?

practical knowledge of supplier vetting and sourcing methodology beyond just RFQ mechanics

Situational

A supplier's PPAP submission comes back with a quality issue right before a Gate 3 deadline. What do you do?

how they handle the PPAP process under time pressure and coordinate with quality and engineering

How would you handle the handoff of a part to production buyers once it reaches approved PPAP status?

understanding of the sourcing-to-production lifecycle and clean transfer of ownership

You've got five past-due POs, an open PPAP review, and a design review with a supplier all landing the same week. How do you decide what gets your attention first?

prioritization skills under the kind of tactical purchasing overload this job involves

How do you communicate a cost increase or timeline slip to internal stakeholders who are counting on that part being ready?

communication skill when delivering bad news across engineering, program management, and leadership

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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? he New Product Introduction (NPI) Specialist is responsible for project management with regards to the new product materials (RFQ, Tooling, PPAP, and Transfer) for the NPI products.  Additionally, this position partners with members of the Strategic Global Sourcing team and participates in cross-function collaboration regularly.  This role also works on sustaining end of life product changes that may have an impact on material product costs. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: • Participate in product platform value chain by ensuring program deliverables are met by timely delivery of material. • Analyze quotations from different suppliers, utilizing the (TCO) total cost of ownership tools and should cost of the parts, components, etc. • Negotiate with suppliers as to the cost of parts and tooling, and project timelines.  • Update and maintain the Costed Bill of Material (CBOM) for each specific NPI project. • Manage suppliers On Time Delivery (OTD) performance during prototype / development phases (Gate 1 to Gate 4). • Manage the PPAP orders for new parts of sustaining or end of life new parts from the order inception, quality inspection review and engineering sign-off.  • Manage individual part release status, while working with engineering to manage the releases associated with on-going changes (BSS data load).  • Work with production buyers to transfer material purchasing responsibility, once the new parts have obtained approved PPAP status. • Manage NPI related ECO’s and sustaining ECO’s that affect new part changes related to the 3 year product plan.  • Manage tactical purchasing activities such as expediting material, PG orders, past due PO’s,  open PO’s, PO confirmations, Receiving/Purchasing related issues, IFM  Accounting/Purchasing related issues, etc. • Update and maintain standard costs within the system during the NPI project and sustaining of new parts phase. • Conduct and facilitate technical design reviews with suppliers, in order to confirm functionality of the part / component and manufacturability.  • Assist the SGS MPM with the sourcing of new suppliers for new or existing products.  • Act as SAP Super User within functional area as assigned. • Manage and update the SC War room data including/ but not limited to: • Current production product costs, • NPI project deck, • Project updates – risks and mitigation plans, and • Cost reduction initiatives/ cost bridges. • Perform other duties as assigned. Basic Qualifications: • Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain or related field OR 4 years related experience in the Supply Chain field within a similar working environment. Additional Qualifications: • Proven experience with engineering change processes; • Strong communication, organization, and interpersonal skills; • Excellent project management skills; • Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word; • Solid quantitative and problem solving skills with the ability to analyze, think and communicate with well-supported data; • Proven track record of successfully managing shifting deadlines and priorities in a fast paced environment Preferred Qualifications: • Previous experience working in SAP or equivalent ERP • Understanding of inventory management requirements • Previous experience working in the development cycle of new products. 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 include are typical of frequent and continuous computer-based work requiring periods of sitting, close vision and ability to adjust focus.  Great Reasons to work for Generac:  • Competitive Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, 401k and many more • State-of-the-art facility with an onsite gym, walking trails, café, free parking and 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 “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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