Supplier Quality Manager

At Polaris Inc., we have fun doing what we love by driving change and innovation. We empower employees to take on challenging assignments and roles with an elevated level of responsibility in our agile working environment. Our people make us who we are, and we create incredible products and experiences that empower us to THINK OUTSIDE.

Position Overview:

As the Supplier Quality Manager, you will lead supplier quality and supplier development activities across a global supply base, providing direction and support to a distributed team of more than 30 engineers and supervisors. In this role, you will work closely with Strategic Sourcing, Manufacturing Quality, and cross-functional partners to monitor supplier performance, improve quality outcomes, and strengthen compliance with internal and external requirements. You will use supplier performance data, audit results, and development activities to drive continuous improvement for current products and help inform future supplier selection decisions. This is a compelling opportunity to lead a global team and influence supplier quality performance, operational effectiveness, and business results at scale.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop a team of supervisors and engineers by providing direction, oversight, coaching, and mentoring to support strong team performance.
• Manage a global team across remote sites and multiple time zones to ensure alignment, execution, and consistent quality practices.
• Maintain and monitor the Supplier Performance Management Process in partnership with Strategic Sourcing and participate in early supplier involvement activities with cross-functional teams.
• Lead the development, tracking, and reporting of supplier performance measures, including audits, scorecards, and alliance review processes, and use results to establish and drive supplier quality improvement goals.
• Implement and continuously improve post-qualification monitoring processes within the supply base, including metrics to evaluate effectiveness and cost.
• Execute supplier audit schedules and ensure the supply base meets company requirements, contract specifications, regulatory expectations, government regulations, and internal policies and procedures.
• Identify and lead supplier improvement opportunities related to quality, cost, timing, delivery, service, and compliance, including escalation management for critical supplier issues.
• Partner with manufacturing quality to address supplier quality issues with urgency, identify root causes, implement corrective and preventive actions, and apply lessons learned across global processes and procedures.

Desired Competencies:

• Leadership: You inspire, guide, and empower others to achieve their best by setting clear direction, fostering trust, and creating an environment where people feel supported, motivated, and accountable for delivering results.
• Collaboration: You work effectively with others across functions and levels, contributing to shared goals while respecting different perspectives.
• Data & Analytical Literacy: You interpret data, metrics, or reporting to inform decisions, identify trends, and measure outcomes relevant to your role.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Operations, or a related field required.
• Minimum 5 years of manufacturing experience supporting multiple sites within a global matrix organization.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a management or leadership role.
• Ability to lead international teams across remote locations and multiple time zones.
• Strong knowledge of Quality and Lean principles and tools, with the ability to implement and align them across teams and processes.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to influence peers and stakeholders outside the direct reporting line.
• Demonstrated data-driven decision-making and project management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Power BI.
• Must be willing to travel up to 25%, domestically and internationally.
• This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

The starting pay range for Minnesota is $125,000 to $151,000 per year. Individual salaries and positioning within the range are determined through a wide variety of factors, including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills, and geography.  While individual pay could fall anywhere in the range based on these factors, it is not common to start at the high end or top of the range. 

To qualify for this position, former employees must be eligible for rehire, and current employees must be in good standing.

We are an ambitious, resourceful, and driven workforce, which empowers us to THINK OUTSIDE.  Apply today!

At Polaris we put our employees first, by offering a holistic approach to their health and financial wellbeing.  Polaris is proud to offer competitive compensation, including a market-leading profit-sharing plan that is fundamental to our pay-for-performance culture. At Polaris, employees are owners of the company through company contributions to our Employee Stock Ownership Plan and discounted employee stock purchases plan. Employees receive a generous matching contribution to 401(k), financial wellness education and consultation to plan for their financial future. In addition to competitive pay, Polaris provides a comprehensive suite of benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, wellness programs, paid time off, gym & personal training reimbursement, life insurance and disability offerings.  Through the Polaris Foundation and our Polaris Gives paid volunteer time off, we support employees who actively volunteer their time, efforts, and passions to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities in which they live, play and work. Employees at Polaris drive our success and are rewarded for their commitment.

About Polaris

As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris' high-quality product line-up includes the Polaris RANGER®, RZR® and Polaris GENERAL™ side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman® all-terrain off-road vehicles; military and commercial off-road vehicles; snowmobiles; Slingshot® moto-roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and pontoon and deck boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe. www.polaris.com

EEO Statement

Polaris Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will make all employment-related decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Applicants with a disability that are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, or otherwise need assistance or an accommodation in the recruiting process, should contact Human Resources at 800-765-2747 or Talent.Acquisition@Polaris.com.  To read more about employment discrimination protection under U.S. federal law, see: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (eeoc.gov).