NPI Sourcing & Materials Program Manager

generac; Waukesha (WI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Generac is seeking a senior supply chain professional to lead product-specific sourcing, supplier selection, and cost optimization for NPIs. You will own material readiness and manage BOM changes while driving risk mitigation to protect program timing.

Collaboration with Engineering and Commodity Management is essential to expand AVL and negotiate favorable terms. This role requires deep experience in sourcing, supplier management, and cross-functional leadership to ensure supply continuity and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Engineering, Business, or related field.
• 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
• Proven ability to negotiate with suppliers

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute product-specific sourcing strategies aligned with requirements and cost targets.
• Assess AVL alignment and expand supplier capabilities and capacity as needed.
• Lead RFQ, supplier evaluations, negotiations, and sourcing recommendations for market-competitive coverage.
• 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.
• Own material readiness for assigned NPIs from early development through ramp and stabilization.
• Integrate sourcing actions, material requirements, supplier readiness, purchasing activities, cost targets, and risk mitigation into the program plan.

Skills

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Data-driven decisions

Stakeholder influence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management

Job description

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 stakehol