Elevating Global Sourcing for Next Stage of Growth

The
Client

Graco, a global leader in fluid-handling technology

Headquartered in Minnesota, Graco is a multi-billion-dollar, publicly traded manufacturer of systems that move, measure, mix, dispense, and control fluids and other materials. With approximately 4,300 employees worldwide, the company serves customers across industrial and contractor markets.

The Challenge

Building a more unified, strategically led sourcing organization

As Graco advanced its “One Graco” transformation, leadership was working to connect its businesses more closely and position the enterprise for continued growth. Global sourcing was an important part of that evolution, with opportunities to diversify the supplier footprint, improve cost performance, and strengthen collaboration across engineering and operations.

Graco retained Cultura to identify a Vice President of Global Sourcing who could turn that ambition into execution. Beyond technical sourcing expertise, the mandate required a leader who could develop talent, modernize processes, and make sourcing a stronger contributor to growth, resilience, and profitability.

The Solution

Defining the right leadership profile before going to market

We began by translating Graco’s business priorities into a focused search strategy. Drawing on industry comparisons, our upfront framework compared three candidate archetypes: procurement executives experienced in large-scale transformation, hands-on leaders known for rapid cost improvement, and broader supply chain executives with strong sourcing experience.

That framework kept the search focused on capabilities rather than titles alone. Our sourcing strategy combined national coverage of fluid-handling companies with broader industrial manufacturing research, including Minnesota-based prospects.

Assessment emphasized evidence of supplier-network redesign, disciplined execution, and the ability to influence across functions. Just as important was a collaborative, low-ego leadership style that could raise standards while developing the people already in place.

Over the course of the assignment, Graco considered 14 highly-vetted candidates.

The Outcome

A sourcing executive with operational perspective to lead meaningful change

Graco selected an executive with more than 20 years of industrial manufacturing experience, recruited from Twin City Fan, where he served as Vice President of Operations & Global Supply Chain. His earlier career included leadership roles with Pentair, Wagner SprayTech, and other established manufacturers.

He brought deep sourcing experience alongside responsibility for five manufacturing plants and a $250 million business. His track record included supplier consolidation, international sourcing expansion, cost reduction, and the development of structured, performance-driven organizations.

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