JobsGenerac

Senior Global Commodity Manager- Plastics/MRO/Supplies

Generac · Waukesha, WI

Posted Jun 7, 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 global sourcing strategy you built for a commodity category, from initial analysis to final execution.

whether the candidate has actually run a full strategic sourcing cycle rather than just executing tactical buys

Describe a time you had to reduce total cost of ownership on a category without hurting quality or service levels. What levers did you pull?

whether they think beyond unit price into TCO components like logistics, defects, and lead time

Tell me about a time you found a supply risk before it became a real problem. What tipped you off, and what did you do?

proactive risk mitigation instincts versus reactive firefighting

Tell me about a negotiation where you had to hold your ground against a supplier who had real leverage over you. What happened?

negotiation skill under a power imbalance rather than in easy wins

Tell me about a time a supplier relationship went from adversarial to collaborative. What did you personally do to shift it?

relationship management skill and self-awareness about their own role in supplier dynamics

Technical

Tell me about the plastics or MRO categories you have managed. How did you approach supply base rationalization for one of them?

direct category expertise and whether they know the specific dynamics of plastics or MRO supply markets

How do you structure a supplier quarterly business review, and what do you do when a supplier consistently underperforms on the metrics you set?

whether they have real supplier performance management discipline versus just holding meetings

What is your experience being an SAP super user, and what kinds of issues did you end up resolving for other users in your function?

depth of actual SAP ownership versus casual end-user experience

Describe a lean or Six Sigma project you led that changed how a supply chain or category was managed. What was the measurable result?

whether continuous improvement claims translate into concrete, measurable outcomes

How do you benchmark supplier costs and capabilities globally, and what sources or methods do you actually rely on?

whether their benchmarking process is rigorous or just anecdotal supplier comparisons

Situational

Say a key plastics supplier tells you they need a 12 percent price increase due to resin costs, but your budget has no room for that. How do you handle the negotiation?

negotiation tactics and whether they understand cost driver transparency in commodity-linked materials

One of your suppliers is your sole source for a critical plastic component and just had a plant fire. Walk me through your first 48 hours.

crisis management and whether they have a real framework for single-source risk

You're leading a cross-functional team on a material cost reduction initiative, but engineering and quality disagree on which supplier change is acceptable. How do you move this forward?

cross-functional leadership and ability to resolve competing priorities without formal authority over the team

This role requires about 30 percent international travel. What has your experience been managing suppliers or negotiations in person overseas versus remotely?

readiness for the travel demands and comfort operating in global supplier contexts

Practice this interview out loud.

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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 Senior Global Commodity Manager provides enterprise-level leadership for the strategic management of assigned commodities and products across global markets. This role drives alignment between supply strategy and business objectives by partnering closely with cross-functional stakeholders and leading end-to-end supplier lifecycle management, including performance optimization and risk mitigation. This position is accountable for developing and executing forward-looking sourcing strategies that deliver measurable business impact. Success in this role is demonstrated through reducing total cost of ownership, improving revenue and gross margins, strengthening and rationalizing the supply base, elevating product quality, and proactively managing supply and operational risk. The Sr. Global Commodity Manager also champions continuous improvement initiatives and leads complex, high-impact projects that enhance scalability, efficiency, and long-term value creation for the organization. *This position is onsite at our Corporate HQ Waukesha, WI location. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: • Develop and execute global sourcing strategies to improve service, quality and total cost of ownership across a global spend portfolio. • Manage supplier collaboration to drive innovation and gain a competitive advantage= • Work with suppliers to support growth, improve flexibility and manage pricing without impacting service or quality • Conduct regular benchmarking to evaluate costs and capabilities of incumbent and potential • suppliers globally • Negotiate, implement and manage supplier contracts, exclusivity and NDA agreements • Drive improvements within shipping, supply chain, material cost and defective material solutions • Drive lean improvement to help improve profitability and drive supply base reduction • Mitigate risk via supplier diversity, audits, strategies, etc. • Maintain broad knowledge of global market trends for assigned categories • Champion supplier development and quarterly business reviews. • Optimize the supply chain of goods and services from our suppliers through to our customers by  focusing on lead time reduction. • Participate and/or lead cross-functional teams related to quality, price, inventories and availability of materials. • Act as SAP Super User within functional area as assigned. • Perform other duties as assigned. Basic Qualifications: • Bachelor Degree in related field OR equivalent experience within a similar working environment; • 5 – 7 years experience in Supplier Quality or Management;  • Ability to travel internationally 30% of the time. Additional Qualifications: • Demonstrated skills in cost reduction and bidding techniques to maximize value;  • Proven ability to negotiate with suppliers; • Thorough knowledge of purchasing techniques including strategic supplier concepts; • Ability to adjust priorities and manage time wisely in a fast-paced environment; • Knowledge of supplier contracts, product conformity, quality tool box, and problem solving methodologies; • ERP knowledge. Preferred Qualifications: • MBA preferred; • Previous experience with continuous improvement, Six Sigma concepts and methodologies; • Previous experience using SAP or equivalent ERP. 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 • Enjoy 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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