Senior Supplier Quality & Performance Engineer

Graco•Rogers, MN

2d•$75,000 - $131,200•Hybrid

About The Position

Graco manufactures and markets premium equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray a wide variety of fluid and powder materials. 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.

Requirements

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
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.

Nice To Haves

Strong knowledge of global manufacturing processes
Advanced mechanical aptitude
Advanced Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerance knowledge
Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing Certified

Responsibilities

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
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
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