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 Director, Strategic Sourcing owns commodity strategy, cost-out delivery, supplier performance, supply resiliency and talent across a significant portfolio of direct materials. This position sets portfolio direction and priorities, approves commodity strategies, allocates resources across commodities and major initiatives, and is accountable for cost, quality, delivery and continuity outcomes delivered through the team. The individual in this position leads major negotiations, supplier escalations and executive supplier relationships while representing Sourcing with Operations & Supply Chain, Engineering, NPI and division leadership.
What You Will Do at Graco
Portfolio Strategy and Enterprise Leadership
- Set multi-year sourcing direction and priorities across assigned commodity portfolios.
- Review, challenge and approve commodity strategies developed by the team.
- Align portfolio strategies with business growth, plant and NPI priorities, cost competitiveness and supply continuity.
- Allocate people and resources across commodities, supplier risks, sourcing initiatives and business priorities.
Cost-Out Delivery and Portfolio Performance
- Own portfolio cost-out targets, sourcing funnel development and value-delivery commitments.
- Ensure sufficient opportunity pipeline and funnel coverage to achieve annual savings goals.
- Establish portfolio KPI and performance-review routines and drive corrective action when results are off track.
- Drive accountability for supplier cost, quality, delivery, inventory, capability and resiliency outcomes across the portfolio.
Supplier Strategy, Negotiations and Resiliency
- Lead major supplier negotiations, supplier escalations and executive supplier relationships.
- Drive supplier consolidation, supplier development and dual-source resiliency strategies.
- Approve supplier selection recommendations and sourcing awards within policy thresholds.
- Set negotiation mandates and walk-away positions for major sourcing events and supplier decisions.
- Use market intelligence, should-cost analysis, index-based pricing and total cost of ownership to guide commercial decisions.
Cross-Functional Partnership
- Represent Sourcing with Operations & Supply Chain, Engineering, NPI, Planning, Quality, Finance and division leadership.
- Bring clear recommendations, risks and tradeoffs to supplier, portfolio and business decision forums.
- Clarify decision rights and handoffs across Commodity Management, Sourcing Specialists, NPI Sourcing, Supplier Quality & Compliance and Plant Purchasing Operations.
- Keep commodity strategy, supplier selection, pricing and negotiations connected to plant purchasing execution without shifting daily purchase order management into this role.
Team Leadership and Financial Management
- Lead, mentor, manage, and staff a team of Category Managers and Sourcing employees, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and promoting a culture of leadership excellence.
- Develop and implement strategies for talent acquisition and management, succession planning, and leadership development to build a pipeline of future leaders.
- Drive team performance by setting clear goals, providing ongoing feedback, and facilitating professional growth opportunities.
What You Will Bring to Graco
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Operations or related field.
- 10+ years of progressive sourcing, procurement, supply chain, manufacturing, engineering or related experience.
- 5+ years of progressive leadership experience, including responsibility for developing sourcing or category talent.
- Significant experience leading complex commodity portfolios, major supplier negotiations and supplier strategy initiatives.
- Demonstrated success delivering cost-out, supplier performance and resiliency outcomes through a team.
- Strong executive communication, financial acumen, analytical capability, negotiation judgment and ability to influence cross-functional decisions.
Willingness to travel 30-50% of the time as required to meet business needs.
Accelerators
- Global industrial manufacturing or engineered-products experience.
- MBA or Master's degree.
- CPSM, CPM, CSCP, CPIM, APICS or related certification.
- Experience leading global supplier portfolios or complex direct-material categories.
- Experience with should-cost, index agreements, value engineering, supplier development, supplier risk and sourcing analytics.
#LI-KE1
#LI-HYBRID
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This role is not eligible for immigration sponsorship now or in the future (e.g., H-1B, TN, F-1 OPT).
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.
$125,500.00 - $219,600.00Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Operations, or a related field
- 10+ years of progressive sourcing, procurement, supply chain, manufacturing, engineering, or related experience
- 5+ years of progressive leadership experience, including developing sourcing or category talent
- Experience leading complex commodity portfolios, major supplier negotiations, and supplier strategy initiatives
- Demonstrated success delivering cost reduction, supplier performance, and resiliency outcomes through a team
- Strong executive communication, financial acumen, analytical capability, negotiation judgment, and cross-functional influence
- Willingness to travel 30–50% of the time
- Global industrial manufacturing or engineered-products experience
- MBA or Master's degree
- CPSM, CPM, CSCP, CPIM, APICS, or related certification
- Experience leading global supplier portfolios or complex direct-material categories
- Experience with should-cost analysis, index agreements, value engineering, supplier development, supplier risk, and sourcing analytics
Graco Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Graco and has not been reviewed or approved by Graco.
-
Retirement Support — Retirement programs include a 401(k) with company contributions and other retirement tools. Feedback suggests these features are a standout element of the total rewards package.
-
Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity components such as an Employee Stock Purchase Plan and periodic stock grants provide accessible ownership opportunities. Feedback suggests these programs meaningfully enhance overall compensation.
-
Healthcare Strength — Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage is offered alongside company-paid disability and basic life insurance, with supplemental options available. Wellness, EAP, and mental-health resources add breadth to the healthcare offering.
Graco Insights
What We Do
Founded in 1926, Graco (NYSE:GGG) is a world leader in fluid handling systems and components. Graco Inc. supplies technology and expertise for the management of fluids in both industrial and commercial applications. It designs, manufactures and markets systems and equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray fluid materials. Graco maintains an aggressive strategy to design and develop new products and systems and distributes through a worldwide network of distributors and other channels. Graco is focused on expanding into new markets through product development and acquisitions.









