Position Overview: In this role, you lead a team of project-based Supplier Quality Engineers responsible for developing and executing risk mitigation requirements that keep product development deliverables on track and ensure quality parts are delivered to Polaris plants and customers. You set direction across project scope, timelines, risk, and communication while overseeing supplier quality performance improvements, supplier-related production issue resolution, and continuous improvement initiatives. You partner closely with suppliers, manufacturing sites, Purchasing, Engineering, Operations, and Quality teams to ensure product quality, production readiness, and consistent execution of supplier quality standards across global operations. This position offers broad cross-functional visibility and the opportunity to shape supplier quality outcomes at scale, giving you meaningful ownership and impact on product development and global manufacturing performance.
Key Responsibilities:- Lead, coach, and develop a team of project-based Supplier Quality Engineers, establishing goals, priorities, performance expectations, and development plans.
- Set team priorities and ensure effective execution of supplier quality activities in alignment with business needs, product development timelines, and global quality expectations, providing technical guidance, escalation support, and performance feedback.
- Oversee containment, root cause analysis, corrective action, and preventive action for supplier-caused production, assembly line, warranty, or field quality issues.
- Lead cross-functional teams across Purchasing, Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing Quality, and suppliers to resolve high-impact supplier quality concerns and review corrective action effectiveness to prevent recurrence.
- Serve as a subject matter expert in Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), driving high-quality APQP work across the supply base and proactively mitigating risk on safety-critical and high-risk purchased components.
- Manage production readiness activities, including PPAP/APQP reviews and assessments for high-risk suppliers, components, and processes, ensuring timing aligns to program timing.
- Support supplier qualification, onboarding, and development activities, including capability assessments, quality system audits, and suitability recommendations.
- Assess and communicate supplier quality performance risk by reviewing supplier scorecards and quality metrics, and collaborate with global suppliers and manufacturing sites to ensure compliance with quality standards.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen supplier quality systems, improve supplier capability, reduce cost of poor quality, and standardize supplier quality processes.
- Lead strategic quality improvement and supplier recovery initiatives for high-risk or underperforming suppliers in partnership with Supplier Development, Sourcing, and Operations teams.
- Communicate emerging supplier quality issues, risks, performance trends, and recovery plans to cross-functional teams and leadership, and escalate barriers, resource needs, and business impacts in a timely manner.
- Represent supplier quality in cross-functional forums such as Integrated Product Team meetings, program gate reviews, project status meetings, supplier reviews, and leadership discussions.
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.
- Problem Solving: You identify issues, assess root causes, and implement practical solutions that balance speed, quality, and risk.
- Communication: You clearly convey information, ideas, and expectations to diverse audiences, adjusting your message to ensure understanding and alignment.
Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, or a related technical discipline.
- Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in Supplier Quality, Quality Engineering, Supplier Development, Manufacturing Quality, or a related manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated experience leading supplier quality improvement, corrective action, production readiness, supplier development, or continuous improvement initiatives.
- Experience with supplier audits, PPAP, APQP, CAPA, root cause analysis, and quality system requirements.
- Strong problem-solving, analytical, project management, communication, and influencing skills.
- Previous leadership, supervisory, team lead, or formal mentoring experience within supplier quality, quality engineering, supplier development, manufacturing, or operations.
- ASQ Certified Quality Engineer, Certified Supplier Quality Professional, Six Sigma, Lean, or equivalent certification.
- Project Management Certification (CAPM, PMP).
- Experience working with global suppliers, multiple manufacturing sites, and international cross-functional teams.
- Travel approximately 10-20% to suppliers, manufacturing plants, and business locations; international travel may be required based on regional and business needs.
- This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
The starting pay range for Minnesota is $91,000 to $120,000 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 can fall anywhere in the range based on these factors, it is uncommon to start at the high end or top of the range. #LI-RAO #HYBRID
To qualify for this position, former employees must be eligible for rehire, and current employees must be in good standing.
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.
