Director of Strategic Sourcing
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.
The Director of Strategic Sourcing is responsible for global supplier selection, category sourcing strategies, supplier relationship management, and procured product development across the chassis and electrical systems categories. This role leads a global team of Strategic Sourcing Managers and their direct reports to optimize enterprise-wide spend, expand margins, improve working capital, boost productivity, and enhance product quality.
The successful candidate will collaborate cross-functionally across geographies and with key suppliers to deliver best-in-class quality, cost, delivery, and innovation. This leader will also influence Engineering, Quality, and Manufacturing teams to develop component strategies that balance performance and cost-effectiveness.
Additionally, the Director will represent the strategic sourcing function in critical business decisions, including content localization within the plant network, "make vs. buy" evaluations, and vertical integration strategies.
Key Responsibilities :
- Lead a team of five Strategic Sourcing Managers, along with their respective teams of sourcing professionals. Oversee and coordinate the distribution of work across the Strategic Sourcing function, ensuring alignment and collaboration with key partner organizations, including Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Quality.
- Manage and develop team members through a combination of formal performance processes and informal coaching. Clearly communicate job expectations, and actively plan, monitor, and evaluate results to ensure alignment with organizational standards, systems, policies, and procedures.
- Drive significant year-over-year improvements in cost, quality, and delivery of direct materials
- Lead cross-functional teamsincluding Engineering, Quality, and Supportto develop mutually acceptable component strategies with industry-leading cost effectiveness
- Maintain high involvement in long-range product planning and new product development, including supplier selection and technology road mapping
- Monitor market conditions, commodity and technology trends, and economic factors that affect the supply market; execute effective sourcing strategies
- Use a total cost of ownership model to rationalize business cases for localizing content within the plant network
- Provide vision, leadership, motivation, and performance management to category team members, including both direct and indirect reports
- Lead the development of global category strategies and establish best-in-class sourcing approaches for components and technologies across the global organization
- Represent the strategic sourcing organization in key "make vs. buy" and vertical integration decisions
- Lead efforts to establish and improve standard work and key business processes using Lean methodologies
- Lead strategic negotiations and supply agreements that balance total delivered cost, inventory, supplier lead times, and other critical factors
Qualifications :
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field (Master's degree preferred)10+ years of supply chain experience in a durable goods OEM environment5+ years of experience leading teams, including 3+ years managing managers with direct reportsProven ability to operate effectively in large, complex global organizations and influence cross-functional teamsStrong strategic thinking, collaboration, and change management capabilitiesDemonstrated thought leadership across business and enterprise functionsTechnically proficient with the ability to read and interpret engineering blueprints and effectively communicate with technical teamsTrack record of developing talent and inspiring teams to achieve exceptional resultsDeep expertise in supply market strategy, risk management, and macroeconomic trendsComprehensive understanding of quality, cost, and delivery metrics, with experience driving supplier improvementsProactive leadership style with the ability to anticipate challenges and plan aheadInnovative mindset with a history of successfully driving change and challenging the status quoExecutive-level presentation skills, with experience delivering updates to senior leadershipWork environment :
In-office, hybrid work structure.Up to 25% travel (domestic and international)The starting pay range for Minnesota is $155,000 to $204,000 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.