The Senior Supplier Quality & Performance Engineer is responsible for leading strategic supplier qualification, development and quality improvement programs across key commodities. This position drives supplier audits, part qualification, corrective action leadership, and supplier performance reviews to ensure reliable, compliant and cost-effective supply chain outcomes. The individual in this position will mentor junior staff, shape supplier strategy, and influence long-term sourcing and supply chain decisions. This position is both technical and strategic, requiring expertise in manufacturing processes, quality systems and supplier performance management.
What You Will Do at Graco:Supplier and Part Qualification & Onboarding- Define and execute supplier qualification strategies for critical commodities and high-risk suppliers
- Champion proactive quality planning across all new product introductions, embedding APQP and DFMEA/PFMEA rigor
- Serve as the primary technical authority during supplier design and readiness reviews
- Oversee and approve supplier part qualifications (PPAP/FAI or equivalent), ensuring alignment to company standards and regulatory requirements
- Lead and mentor others in conducting supplier audits, providing training and calibration on audit practices
Quality Resolution and Monitoring- Own supplier quality performance monitoring, including analysis of metrics, reporting and trend identification
- Create and drive corrective action requests (SCARs) and validate effectiveness of supplier responses
- Lead supplier-related presentations in divisional quality meetings
- Investigate and resolve Non-Conformance Reports, escalating systemic issues to leadership as needed
- Collaborate with product service teams to resolve warranty and customer complaint issues
- Lead systemic quality issue resolution across multiple suppliers and commodities
- Oversee trend analysis programs, ensuring corrective/preventive actions address root causes at a systemic level
Supplier Development and Continuous Improvement- Lead quality portion of supplier business reviews, presenting performance analysis and influencing supplier leadership to make strategic investments in capability, capacity, and quality systems
- Conduct and direct supplier capability analyses across multiple commodities; identify systemic risks and drive long-term improvement strategies.
- Design and oversee supplier development roadmaps, ensuring alignment with business needs and measuring supplier progress through KPIs and scorecards
- Partner with Sourcing Commodity teams to shape supplier selection, risk mitigation, and strategic development initiatives.
- Provide improvement recommendations to established supplier quality related procedures and work instructions.
- Provide training and coaching to suppliers and purchasing personnel on Graco supplier quality requirements including print and Graco/Industry standard interpretation
- Mentor associate and intermediate supplier development engineers, fostering technical and leadership growth
- Perform other duties as assigned
- Ability to travel 15-20%
What You Will Bring to Graco:- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field with 8+ years quality, manufacturing, engineering, or supplier quality/development support role.
- 7+ years of experience in manufacturing, quality, or supply chain
- Expert knowledge of supplier and regulatory compliance standards (ISO, AS, ITAR, REACH, RoHS, PFAS, etc.)
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to track multiple deadlines and follow up proactively
- Excellent communication skills for professional interaction with suppliers and internal stakeholders
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with ERP or supplier management systems preferred
- Familiarity with Product Lifecycle Management systems, such as Teamcenter
- Proven experience leading PPAP/FAI and supplier audits
- Skilled in quality tools such as Assessments FMEA, Problem solving, Root-Cause Analysis, Corrective Action, Mistake Proofing and Process Control
- Strong technical authority with ability to assess and improve complex manufacturing processes
- Proven ability to understand and interpret detailed documents and engineering drawings
- Proven leadership experience, including mentoring or leading cross-functional project teams.
- Ability to balance day-to-day execution with longer-term development initiatives
Accelerators:- Strong knowledge of global manufacturing processes
- Advanced mechanical aptitude
- Advanced Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerance knowledge
- Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing Certified
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The base pay range for this position is listed below, exclusive of fringe benefits or other compensation. If you are hired, your final base hourly rate will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, competencies, education, and/or experience. In addition to those factors, we will also consider internal equity of our current employees. Please keep in mind that the range provided is the full base salary range for the role. Hiring at or near the maximum of the range would not be typical to allow for future and continued salary growth.
$75,000.00 - $131,200.00
