Lean Manager, LPPD

About the role

Polaris Inc. is seeking an innovative leader to join our Powersports business. This high-impact role centers on identifying, developing, and implementing breakthrough capabilities in Lean Product and Process Development (LPPD) to drive speed to market and create competitive advantage.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Polaris leadership to drive the LPPD long-term vision, strategy, roadmap, positioning, and execution plan across our Powersports business.
• Aid in designing and evolving the LPPD learning system — including experimentation processes, coaching practices, and cross-functional alignment.
• Lead development of the LPPD Improvement Priorities, Targets to Improve (TTIs) and other metrics and dashboards.
• Support LPPD in annual planning for LRP, Macro Plan and Budgeting.
• Create value stream maps and design experiments in coordination with the LPPD Core Team and product development teams.
• Manage the flow of work from problem identification to experimentation to implementation of solutions in product and process development.
• Provide daily management leadership, coaching and support to product development teams and leaders in planning and executing LPPD work and problem solving.
• Manage weekly progress on LPPD priorities, actions, schedules, best practices, and standard work.
• Lead LPPD meetings and events.
• Support LPPD communications and training within product development teams and across Polaris.
• Capture data and complete data analysis work for LPPD with subject matter experts (SMEs) and outside partners.
• Develop recommendations to enable data-driven decision-making.
• Engage with internal and external partners in LPPD benchmarking and learning opportunities.
• Document LPPD learning and standard work to capture knowledge, efficiently repeat processes, and train others.
• Leverage AI as a multiplier and accelerator in leading LPPD work.
• Exemplify LPPD principles and practices in daily work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, or related technical field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience managing complex, cross-functional product development projects at Polaris within the following functions: Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, or Supply Chain.
• Strong Lean experience with the following: facilitation of Kaizen events, value stream mapping, problem solving process (8D, A3, etc.), Stage/Gate process, and new product development process.
• Proven ability to lead change, build strong relationships, and motivate at all levels within Polaris.
• Strong systems thinking with the ability to operate with some ambiguity and still make decisions.
• Detail-oriented, highly organized, energetic, and self-driven with ability to multi-task.
• Collaborative team player with strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills.
• Experience in product development business process ownership, optimization, and change management preferred.
• Proficiency with PTC suite of applications (Creo, Windchill) and Microsoft Office applications, including SharePoint and PowerBI preferred.

Skills

• Self-driven, energized by solving problems, stay ahead of product development trends, and consistently pursue improved operational efficiency.
• Questions assumptions, explores new possibilities, and thrives by uncovering better ways to do things.

Benefits

• Competitive pay range for Minnesota is $108,000 to $142,000 per year.
• Market-leading profit-sharing plan.
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and discounted employee stock purchase plan.
• 401(k) matching contribution.
• Comprehensive suite of benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, wellness programs, paid time off, gym & personal training reimbursement, life insurance, and disability offerings.
• Polaris Foundation and Polaris Gives paid volunteer time off.

Pay

The starting pay range for Minnesota is $108,000 to $142,000 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.

Schedule

Onsite, in-person work with the LPPD Core Team and product development teams is critical to success in the role. Travel to Polaris sites and external sites for learning and benchmarking – less than 10%.

Contact

To apply, please contact Human Resources at 800-765-2747 or Talent.Acquisition@Polaris.com.