Supplier Quality Engineering Supervisor
Polaris Inc.
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Polaris Inc. in Minnesota seeks a Senior Supplier Quality Engineer Lead to guide a project-based team and drive quality across supplier networks. You will oversee APQP/PPAP, containment, CAPA, and risk mitigation to ensure production readiness and on-time delivery of quality parts worldwide.
You will partner with Purchasing, Engineering, Operations, and Global Suppliers, champion continuous improvement, and mentor junior engineers in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
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 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 or operations.
- ASQ CQE or equivalent certification; Six Sigma/Lean a plus.
- Capitalizing on global suppliers and multiple manufacturing sites experience.
- Experience working with international cross-functional teams and travel 10–20%.
Responsibilities
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of project-based Supplier Quality Engineers with goals and development plans.
- Set team priorities and ensure effective execution of supplier quality activities aligned to timelines and global quality expectations.
- Oversee containment, root cause analysis, corrective action, and preventive action for supplier-caused issues.
- Lead cross-functional teams to resolve high-impact supplier quality concerns and review corrective action effectiveness.
- Drive APQP work across the supply base and mitigate risk on safety-critical components.
- Manage PPAP/APQP reviews and assessments for high-risk suppliers and processes.
- Support supplier qualification, onboarding, and development activities.
- Assess supplier quality performance using scorecards and metrics with global sites.
- Drive continuous improvement to strengthen supplier quality systems and reduce cost of poor quality.
- Lead strategic quality improvement and supplier recovery initiatives with cross-functional teams.
- Communicate issues, risks, and recovery plans to leadership and cross-functional teams.
Skills
Education
Tools
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.
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.
- 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 elevate 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.
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.
You identify issues, assess root causes, and implement practical solutions that balance speed, quality, and risk.
You clearly convey information, ideas, and expectations to diverse audiences, adjusting your message to ensure understanding and alignment.
- 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.
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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.
- Competitive compensation
- Market‑leading profit‑sharing plan that is fundamental to our pay‑for‑performance culture
- Company contributions to Employee Stock Ownership Plan
- Discounted employee stock purchases plan
- Generous matching contribution to 401(k)
- Financial wellness education and consultation to plan for their financial future
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Wellness programs
- Paid time off
- Gym & personal training reimbursement
- Life insurance
- Disability offerings
- Polaris Foundation and Polaris Gives paid volunteer time off
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
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).
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
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