About the position

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.

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.

Requirements

• 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.
• Experience working with global suppliers, multiple manufacturing sites, and international cross-functional teams.

Nice-to-haves

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer, Certified Supplier Quality Professional, Six Sigma, Lean, or equivalent certification.
• Project Management Certification (CAPM, PMP).

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Market-leading profit-sharing plan
• Company contributions to our Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• Discounted employee stock purchases plan
• Generous matching contribution to 401(k)
• Financial wellness education and consultation
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Wellness programs
• Paid time off
• Gym & personal training reimbursement
• Life insurance
• Disability offerings
• Polaris Foundation support
• Polaris Gives paid volunteer time off