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 cross-functional margin improvement initiatives from opportunity identification through implementation and financial realization. In this role, you will partner with engineering, finance, sourcing, manufacturing, product teams, and suppliers to identify and execute opportunities that improve product line profitability. You will be responsible for business case development, project execution, cost reduction initiatives, resource planning, and stakeholder alignment to deliver measurable financial results. This is a compelling opportunity to drive significant business impact by influencing product cost, profitability, and strategic decision-making across Polaris Powersports products.
Key Responsibilities:
• Lead product line margin improvement initiatives from concept through implementation and financial realization.
• Partner with engineering, finance, sourcing, manufacturing, product teams, and suppliers to identify, evaluate, and implement cost reduction opportunities.
• Build and manage a margin improvement pipeline that includes business cases, savings targets, project timing, risks, and resource requirements.
• Lead multiple cross-functional teams to deliver results aligned with financial and strategic objectives.
• Utilize the Polaris Product Development Process (PDP) to guide project execution and ensure requirements are clearly defined, documented, and communicated.
• Drive critical cross-functional decisions and approvals to maintain project momentum and achieve targeted results.
• Develop and deliver clear project status communications to stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Collaborate with suppliers to identify opportunities to improve product cost structures through design and process improvements.
• Manage project budgets and support forecasting, financial planning, and resource allocation activities.
• Maintain and improve margin management tools, processes, and reporting capabilities.
• Promote accountability, ownership, and operational discipline across initiative teams.
• Identify and secure the resources necessary to successfully execute projects and initiatives.
Desired Competencies:
• 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.
• Accountability: You take ownership of your responsibilities, follow through on commitments, and hold yourself to high standards for quality and results.
• Collaboration: You work effectively with others across functions and levels, contributing to shared goals while respecting different perspectives.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in engineering project leadership, cost reduction, margin improvement, product development, or a related field.
• Strong technical background with the ability to understand complex product and engineering concepts.
• Experience developing business cases and evaluating cost drivers, tradeoffs, risks, and financial impacts.
• Ability to translate product-level objectives into actionable projects and implementation plans.
• Strong project management, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and drive alignment across cross-functional teams.
• Experience presenting recommendations and project updates to senior leaders and executives.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and effectively navigate ambiguity.
• Up to 10% domestic and international travel is associated with this role.
• This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
#LI-BM1
The starting pay range for Minnesota is $97,000 to $128,000 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. Apply today!
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.
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
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 [email protected]. To read more about employment discrimination protection under U.S. federal law, see: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (eeoc.gov).
Skills Required
- Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering
- 2–5 years of experience in engineering project leadership, cost reduction, margin improvement, product development, or related work
- Strong technical background and interest in powersports products
- Ability to translate vehicle-level attributes into actionable project definitions and early-stage initiatives
- Understanding of cost drivers, tradeoffs, business cases, and financial impact
- Strong leadership and influencing skills
- Outstanding oral and written communication skills
- Ability to present to and interact with senior leadership and executives
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Ability to work under pressure while maintaining a positive attitude
Polaris (Polaris.com) Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Polaris (Polaris.com) and has not been reviewed or approved by Polaris (Polaris.com).
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is presented as comprehensive, spanning medical, dental, vision, behavioral health resources, and wellness programs. Feedback suggests these offerings are seen as solid and help lift overall satisfaction.
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Retirement Support — Retirement programs include a robust 401(k) with employer support alongside profit-sharing elements that can bolster long-term savings. Feedback suggests these components are viewed as meaningful parts of total rewards.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity participation via ESOP and an employee stock purchase plan is highlighted as part of the package. Feedback suggests these ownership opportunities add perceived value beyond base pay.
Polaris (Polaris.com) Insights
What We Do
Since 1954, Polaris has proudly defined, re-defined and then raised the bar again for the powersports industry. It is reflected in the innovation we bring to the products we design and experiences we create for all those who play, work and THINK OUTSIDE
