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NPI Sourcing & Materials Program Manager

Generac · Waukesha, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 30, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 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.

About your past

Tell me about an NPI program where material readiness nearly slipped the launch. What did you do?

What they are checking: Owning materials from development through ramp, which is the heart of this role.

Tell me about a negotiation where you got a better total cost, not just a lower piece price.

What they are checking: Total cost thinking that includes quality, logistics and resilience.

What would you do

Engineering picks a component from a supplier that isn't on the AVL. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Balancing engineering needs with supply risk and working through Commodity Management on AVL changes.

A sole-source part has a 30-week lead time and the program needs prototypes in ten. What are your options?

What they are checking: Creative and realistic options for long-lead risk that protect the schedule.

How do you decide whether a program needs a second source?

What they are checking: Judgment about supply chain resilience versus the cost of qualifying another supplier.

How do you keep engineering, quality and suppliers aligned when the design is still changing?

What they are checking: Managing change on a moving target without losing material readiness.

About the work

Walk me through how you'd build a should-cost model for a new enclosure or harness.

What they are checking: Fact-based cost negotiation, which the posting expects to drive total cost.

How do you run an RFQ so you get real competition without dragging out the timeline?

What they are checking: Practical sourcing process that keeps market coverage and program timing both intact.

How do you translate engineering requirements into a supplier requirements package?

What they are checking: Bridging engineering and supply, which the posting names as a core partnership.

What goes into a supplier scorecard you'd actually trust?

What they are checking: Using measured supplier performance to steer business reviews and decisions.

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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? Major Responsibilities Supply Strategy & Component Sourcing • Develop and execute product-specific sourcing strategies aligned with product requirements, program timing, cost targets, supply chain resilience, and global commodity strategy. • Partner with Engineering to translate product and technical requirements into sourcing strategies and supplier requirements. • Assess AVL alignment and identify supplier capability, capacity, technology, cost, or resilience gaps; partner with Commodity Management on AVL expansion and modification. • As Required Lead RFQ, supplier evaluations, negotiations, and sourcing recommendations, ensuring competitive market coverage and appropriate supplier alternatives. • Develop and utilize should-cost models, market intelligence, and quotation data to drive competitive total cost. • Maintain strong supplier relationships and contribute to supplier scorecards and business reviews. Material Readiness & NPI Execution • Own material readiness for assigned NPI programs from early development through ramp and stabilization. • Integrate sourcing actions, material requirements, supplier readiness, purchasing activities, cost targets, and risk mitigation into the overall program plan. • Monitor BOM changes, engineering releases, lead times, purchase orders, supplier commitments, and material availability against build and launch milestones. • Drive clear-to-build readiness, shortage resolution, risk buys, advanced purchasing, recovery plans, and other actions required to protect program timing. • Provide clear visibility to material status, open issues, risks, and required decisions. Cost & Commercial Management • Own BOM cost tracking, validation, and variance management throughout the NPI lifecycle. • Align supplier quotations, cost assumptions, tooling, NRE, tariffs, logistics, and other material costs with program targets. • Identify and communicate cost gaps and the impact of engineering, supplier, sourcing, or program changes. • Support supplier negotiations, cost reduction, value analysis/value engineering, and other cost optimization opportunities. • Balance piece price with quality, capacity, lead time, resilience, and total cost of ownership when making sourcing decisions. Supplier Readiness, Risk & Resilience • Assess and manage supplier readiness, capacity, lead time, quality, part availability, and supply chain risk for critical components. • Identify and actively manage single-source, sole-source, long-lead, constrained, and other high-risk components. • Lead product-specific alternate sourcing, AVL expansion, dual/multi-sourcing, supplier qualification, capacity mitigation, and contingency strategies. • Monitor supplier performance and drive recovery or corrective actions when risks threaten program timing or supply continuity. • Partner with Commodity Management and suppliers to resolve escalated supply, capacity, quality, and commercial issues. Cross-Functional Leadership & Process Excellence • Serve as the primary supply and material representative in NPI core teams, gate reviews, build readiness reviews, supplier reviews, and launch readiness discussions. • Lead cross-functional decision-making and problem solving across Engineering, Project Management, Quality, Operations, Commodity Management, Purchasing, Finance, and suppliers. • Use structured, data-driven decision tools to evaluate sourcing, cost, material, and supplier decisions. • Provide concise leadership communication on sourcing progress, material readiness, cost, risks, mitigation plans, and decisions required. • Maintain accurate sourcing, quotation, BOM cost, material readiness, supplier risk, and program data. • Improve NPI sourcing and material management processes, tools, dashboards, and governance. • Ensure clean transition of stabilized programs to Commodity Management, Purchasing, and sustaining supply chain teams. Minimum Job Requirements Education Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Engineering, Business, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and relevant supply chain experience. Work Experience • Minimum of 8 years of experience in supply chain, purchasing, sourcing, materials management, program management, manufacturing operations, or related discipline. • leading AVL development and comprehensive sourcing execution of assigned component categories • Demonstrated skills in cost reduction and bidding techniques to maximize value Knowledge / Skills / Abilities • Proven ability to negotiate with suppliers • Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify supply chain risks, assess cost impacts, and develop practical mitigation plans. • Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and influence stakeholders without direct authority. • Strong communication skills with the ability to provide clear status updates, escalation summaries, and leadership-level reporting. • Ability to operate independently in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and ambiguous requirements. • Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, including Excel and PowerPoint. • Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems, material planning processes, supplier management, and cost tracking tools. • undefined Preferred Job Requirements Certification / License No certification or license is required. Preferred certifications include APICS CPIM, APICS CSCP, CPSM, PMP, Lean Six Sigma, or other relevant supply chain, program management, or continuous improvement certifications. Work Experience • Experience with contract manufacturing, global suppliers, electronics, mechanical components, raw materials, or finished goods supply chains. • Supplier Contract development and negotiation • Experience with supplier capacity planning, dual sourcing, approved manufacturer list expansion, alternate component qualification, or supply risk mitigation. • Experience managing BOM cost roll-ups, product cost targets, supplier quotations, cost reduction initiatives, and launch-related cost variances. • Experience with ERP/MRP systems, SAP, Power BI, cost trackers, dashboards, or similar supply chain planning/reporting tools. • undefined Knowledge / Skills / Abilities • Specific industry, market, and technical knowledge of assigned component suppliers/categories • Knowledge of supplier quality, PPAP, compliance, product conformity, and problem-solving methodologies. • Ability to evaluate supplier capacity, delivery risk, cost drivers, and supply continuity across a multi-tier supply base. • Ability to develop scalable processes, dashboards, and best practices that improve component cost visibility and optimization • Demonstrated ability to balance speed, cost, quality, and supply risk when supporting product development and launch decisions. “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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