Sr Director, Product Planning

Polaris Inc.; Wyoming (OH); On-site; USD 210,000 - 265,000; Full time

Job summary

Polaris Inc. is seeking a senior leader to own product strategy and portfolio planning for its Off-Road Vehicle lineup, including RZR, Xpedition, General, and Sportsman.

The role oversees a team of Product Directors/Managers to shape strategies, set priorities, and deliver business results across multiple platforms. You will guide long-range planning, investment decisions, and customer-centric innovation while partnering with Engineering, Design, Sales, Marketing, Finance, and PG&A to drive

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in sales, marketing, product planning, product management, and/or product development.
• Minimum 5 years of formal people leadership experience leading professional and/or leadership-level employees.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex product portfolios and influence enterprise-level decisions.
• Strong strategic, analytical, and financial acumen with experience evaluating market opportunities and business performance.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all organizational levels, including senior leadership.
• Experience utilizing quantitative and qualitative market research tools and techniques to inform business decisions.
• Ability to operate off-road products competently.
• Ability to travel regularly between Polaris locations and up to 20-35% domestically and internationally as business needs require.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of the Long-Range Product Plan (LRPP) for the assigned product portfolio, ensuring alignment with business priorities and platform strategies.
• Oversee product proposals, program plans, and business cases for new products and platform investments, driving alignment and securing necessary approvals.
• Direct portfolio strategy and lifecycle management decisions to balance long-term growth opportunities with current business performance objectives.
• Analyze market trends, competitive activity, consumer insights, demographic shifts, and regulatory developments to identify opportunities and risks.
• Ensure Voice of Customer insights are integrated into portfolio strategies, investment decisions, product roadmaps, and innovation initiatives.
• Partner with Operations, Sourcing, Sales, Finance, and PG&A to support profitability, market share, volume, mix, and ownership experience objectives.
• Review portfolio performance, market dynamics, and program progress to inform strategic adjustments and resource allocation decisions.
• Lead, coach, and develop Product Directors and Product Managers while fostering accountability, collaboration, and high performance.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Design, Marketing, Operations, Finance, PG&A, and Executive Leadership to deliver successful product outcomes.
• Remove organizational barriers, elevate critical issues as needed, and support the effective execution of strategic programs and initiatives.
• Partner with Product Planning leadership to identify best practices, improve operating rhythms, and drive consistency across the organization.
• Represent Polaris at industry events, customer engagements, trade meetings, and executive reviews.

Skills

Leadership

Business Acumen

Customer Focus

Communication Skills

Strategic Thinking

Financial Acumen

Presentation Skills

Travel Readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA or graduate degree

Job description

Position Overview

You will lead product strategy, portfolio planning, and lifecycle management for Polaris' RZR, Polaris Xpedition, General, and Sportsman product lineups within the Off-Road Vehicle organization. In this role, you will oversee a team of Product Directors and Product Managers responsible for shaping product strategies, establishing program priorities, and delivering business results across multiple platforms. You will guide long-range product planning, portfolio investment decisions, and innovation initiatives while ensuring customer insights remain central to decision making. Working closely with leaders across Engineering, Design, Operations, Sales, Marketing, Finance, and PG&A, you will help drive sustainable growth and competitive differentiation for the business. This role offers the opportunity to influence enterprise-level product strategy, investment priorities, and the future direction of Polaris' largest off-road vehicle platforms.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of the Long-Range Product Plan (LRPP) for the assigned product portfolio, ensuring alignment with business priorities and platform strategies.
• Oversee product proposals, program plans, and business cases for new products and platform investments, driving alignment and securing necessary approvals.
• Direct portfolio strategy and lifecycle management decisions to balance long-term growth opportunities with current business performance objectives.
• Analyze market trends, competitive activity, consumer insights, demographic shifts, and regulatory developments to identify opportunities and risks.
• Ensure Voice of Customer insights are integrated into portfolio strategies, investment decisions, product roadmaps, and innovation initiatives.
• Partner with Operations, Sourcing, Sales, Finance, and PG&A to support profitability, market share, volume, mix, and ownership experience objectives.
• Review portfolio performance, market dynamics, and program progress to inform strategic adjustments and resource allocation decisions.
• Lead, coach, and develop Product Directors and Product Managers while fostering accountability, collaboration, and high performance.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Design, Marketing, Operations, Finance, PG&A, and Executive Leadership to deliver successful product outcomes.
• Remove organizational barriers, elevate critical issues as needed, and support the effective execution of strategic programs and initiatives.
• Partner with Product Planning leadership to identify best practices, improve operating rhythms, and drive consistency across the organization.
• Represent Polaris at industry events, customer engagements, trade meetings, and executive reviews.

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.
• Business Acumen: You understand how your work impacts financial performance, operational efficiency, and organizational goals, and you make decisions with the broader business context in mind.
• Customer Focus: You prioritize the needs of internal or external customers and use feedback and data to improve outcomes, processes, or experiences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; MBA or other graduate degree preferred.
• Minimum 12 years of relevant experience in sales, marketing, product planning, product management, and/or product development.
• Minimum 5 years of formal people leadership experience leading professional and/or leadership‑level employees.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex product portfolios and influence enterprise-level decisions.
• Strong strategic, analytical, and financial acumen with experience evaluating market opportunities and business performance.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all organizational levels, including senior leadership.
• Experience utilizing quantitative and qualitative market research tools and techniques to inform business decisions.
• Ability to operate off‑road products competently.
• Ability to travel regularly between Polaris locations and up to 20‑35% domestically and internationally as business needs require.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

The starting pay range for Minnesota is $210,000 - $265,000 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.

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 [e-mail]. To read more about employment discrimination protection under U.S. federal law, see: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (eeoc.gov).

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

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.

At Polaris, the need for diverse perspectives and experiences enables our vision of Best People, Best Team. We value our differences and align our passions to do great work. As a highly efficient growth company, we are driven to be agile and adaptable to support our customers. At Polaris we unite to create memorable adventures.

Learn more at http://www.polaris.com/careers