Supervisor, Supplier Quality Engineer

North Pole Star, S. de R.L. de C.V.; Plymouth (MN); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Polaris Inc. is seeking an experienced Lead, Quality Engineering to drive supplier quality and part quality improvements across grooming of processes with a cross-functional team including Purchasing, Engineering, Product Development, Packaging, and Distribution.

You will apply quality engineering principles, develop tools and metrics, and lead root-cause analysis to reduce the cost of poor quality while improving receiving and inventory outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in supplier quality or quality engineering.
• Advanced knowledge of quality tools and methodologies (APQP, Control Plan, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, Quality Systems).
• Experience leading and managing professionals; project management experience; strong written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage purchasing coordinators supporting distribution center incoming inspection, PO adherence, inventory disposition, and availability.
• Apply quality engineering principles to assure the quality of supplied and manufactured components and develop quality systems strategies.
• Lead cross-functional root-cause problem solving for quality events and drive corrective and preventive actions.
• Collaborate with suppliers, Purchasing, Engineering, Product Development, and Packaging to reduce the cost of poor quality and improve product quality.
• Support Sourcing and Supplier Relationship Management by leading supplier quality activities (PPAP, CAR and CAPA, PCR, Run-at-Rates, audits, DCR, deviations).
• Monitor warranty and Post-Sales Surveillance data and implement corrective actions for quality topics.
• Develop processes/tools to provide actionable Voice of Customer insights for product and quality stakeholders.
• Measure and analyze receiving discrepancies, On Hand Not Available, Reject Material Orders, and supplier performance metrics for continuous improvement.
• Provide quality engineering support for part quality issues and inventory disposition decisions.

Skills

Leadership

Problem Solving

Technical Expertise

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

APQP

Control Plan

PPAP

FMEA

MSA

SPC

Quality Systems

Job description

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:

You will lead quality engineering activities that support the ORV parts and accessories business while managing a team of purchasing coordinators. You will apply quality engineering principles to improve supplied and manufactured component quality, strengthen supplier performance, resolve quality issues, and reduce the cost of poor quality. You will also develop processes, tools, metrics, and standard work that turn warranty and customer information into actionable insights while improving receiving and inventory-related outcomes. This role offers the opportunity to influence product quality and supplier performance while leading cross-functional improvement efforts across suppliers, purchasing, engineering, product development, packaging, and distribution operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage purchasing coordinators supporting distribution center incoming inspection, purchase order adherence, inventory disposition, and availability, balancing daily operational needs with proactive process improvement.
• Apply quality engineering principles to assure the quality of supplied and manufactured components and develop strategies and tools that strengthen quality systems and Supplier Relationship Management.
• Lead cross-functional root cause problem solving for quality events and drive corrective and preventive actions through implementation.
• Collaborate with suppliers, Purchasing, Engineering, Product Development, and Packaging to reduce the cost of poor quality and improve product quality.
• Support Sourcing and Supplier Relationship Management by leading supplier quality activities, including PPAP, CAR and CAPA, PCR, Run-at-Rates, audits, DCR, and deviations.
• Monitor warranty and support Post Sales Surveillance through data gathering and corrective action implementation for PG&A PAP topics.
• Develop processes and tools that provide actionable Voice of Customer insights for product, quality, and other key stakeholders.
• Measure and analyze receiving discrepancies, On Hand Not Available, Reject Material Orders, and supplier performance metrics to identify and drive continuous improvement.
• Provide quality engineering support for part quality issues and purchasing coordinator decision-making related to inventory disposition and availability.

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.
• Technical / Functional Expertise: You apply the required technical or professional knowledge to perform your role effectively and stay current within your area of expertise.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a relevant field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in supplier quality or quality engineering.
• Advanced knowledge of quality tools and methodologies, including APQP, Control Plan, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, and Quality Systems.
• Experience leading and managing professionals.
• Experience with project management and project management tools.
• Experience writing technical reports and processes.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present cross-functionally and externally at all levels.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Ability to work autonomously.
• Ability to travel 5-10% to plants and suppliers, including internationally.
• This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Salary

The starting pay range for Minnesota is $95,000 to $125,000 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.

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

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

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 disc