Senior Supplier Quality & Performance Engineer

Graco manufactures and markets premium equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray a wide variety of fluid and powder materials. What does that mean? Well, we pump peanut butter into your jar, and the oil in your car. We glue the soles of your shoes, the glass in your windows and the screen on your phone. We spray the finish on your vehicle, coatings on your pills, the paint on your house and texture on your walls. Graco is part of your daily life.

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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Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent and unrestricted basis. This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship now or in the future (e.g., H-1B, TN, E-3, O-1, L-1, or employment-based permanent residence sponsorship). Candidates working under temporary employment authorization, including F-1 OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, or similar programs, are not eligible for this position. 

At Graco, you truly make a difference. Your unique talents contribute to our organizational growth and future. Not only do you make a difference, but Graco’s culture empowers employees to create their own career path. Whether you choose to advance within your current department or explore new opportunities in different divisions, you have the ability to build your future. Our managers are here to provide support and guidance as you continue to grow within your career.

Graco has excellent opportunities available to individuals who want to be part of a fast-moving, growing company that is committed to quality, innovation and solving fluid handling problems for our customers. Graco is proud to be named a Best Place to Work by Fortune Magazine in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021 & 2022. Graco offers attractive compensation, benefits and career development opportunities. Graco’s comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, stock purchase plan, 401(k), tuition reimbursement and more.

Our company uses E-Verify to confirm the employment and eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.

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.