Operations Leadership Development Program

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.**

Our Operations Leadership Development Program (OLDP) is designed to shape the future leaders of Polaris by offering recent graduates a comprehensive and immersive experience in operational excellence.

This rotational program focuses on developing the expertise needed to effectively lead plant operations and distribution centers to achieve Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost goals, streamline processes, enhance supply chain management, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Through targeted mentorship and impactful projects, we aim to empower participants to drive innovation and operational success, contributing significantly to our commitment to delivering efficient, high-quality operations and exceptional powersports products.

Through your Operations rotations, you will be given challenging assignments to accelerate your career development for future positions of significant responsibility.

The variety of work gives you an introduction to what working at Polaris is all about and helps you decide where you can best apply your interests to meet the company's needs.

During this program, you will also establish mentor relationships with our business leadership that will continue throughout your career with Polaris.

Polaris provides the resources, support, and environment you need to achieve both personal and professional success in this role.

**Program Length:** 3 Years
**Rotation Length:** 1 Year (3X)
**Placement Locations** **could** **Include** : Medina, MN; Monticello, MN; Roseau, MN; Wyoming, MN; Plymouth, MN Huntsville, AL; Spirit Lake, IA; Osceola, WI; Battle Ground, WA; Fernley, NV: Wilmington, OH; or Vermillion, SD.

**Areas you will gain exposure to in your rotations include:**

+ Manufacturing Engineering
+ Sourcing
+ Material Flow, & Logistics
+ Manufacturing Quality, Supplier Quality, Supplier Development
+ New Product Introduction
+ Lean
+ Production Line and/or Distribution Center Supervisor
+ Project Management

Upon completion of the program, you will transition into a full-time Operations related position within the business, contingent on business needs and the skills and experience you demonstrate during the program.

**Program Advantages:** As a Polaris employee, you will enjoy specific benefits beyond rotational experiences, including:

+ **Mentorship** – you are paired with one of our functional business leaders for mentor support throughout your entire DP journey.
+ **Networking** - intentional time with peers and leaders at Polaris to build your professional network.
+ **Early Talent Summit Week** **_:_** you participate in our 3-day event in our Wyoming, MN office.

This immersive experience brings together all US interns and DPs for professional development, structured networking, a DP graduation event, inspiring executive speakers, and a thrilling team ride on some of your favorite Polaris vehicles.
+ **Community Engagement** : opportunity to get involved in your local community.
+ **End of Rotation/Program Presentations** : present to our senior level leaders to showcase your career aspirations and recap your experience.

**Polaris Benefit Highlights:**

+ A generous 401K employee’s contribution matching program.
+ Pay for Performance Company which uniquely allows employees to receive Annual Profit-Sharing bonuses based upon the performance of the employee.
+ Tuition Reimbursement program to support employees who want to further their education.

**The Selection Process:**

Applications are open from August -November each year.

Applications will be reviewed and shortlisted candidates will typically be contacted for an initial phone screen by the end of November.

Candidates selected to move forward will be invited to participate in a virtual panel interview with an identified HR business partner and functional leaders.

Successful candidates would move forward to an offer.

Upon accepting your offer, you will collaborate with the Polaris Early Talent Team.

Your graduation date will determine your start date, either in January or June.

The Early Talent Team will guide you through the matching process and assist you in completing a Brand Slide.

The Brand Slide, tailored to your specific program, provides insights to the team and assists in identifying the most suitable rotation aligned with your strengths, areas for development, interests, and business needs.

Placements are finalized in late October for January starts and in mid-April for June starts each year.

**DP Relocation Assistance:**

Polaris offers a relocation program through our mobility vendor for employees who qualify.

Benefits include a lump sum payment, self-haul moving package, lease cancellation/duplicate housing reimbursement, and access to a relocation counselor.

The counselor will explain available resources and assist in securing short-term housing.

You will be responsible for daily transportation to and from the office.

**Required Qualifications:**

+ A bachelor’s or master’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, or other related degree, with a graduation date between August 2025 and May 2026.
+ Minimum overall GPA of 3.0
+ Must be able to commit to working 40 hours per week starting on one of the following dates:
+ January 12th, 2026.
+ June 15th, 2026.
+ Must be a U.S. person (U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, asylee, or refugee) and not require sponsorship for employment now or in the future.
+ Must be willing to travel and relocate between sites for your rotations, as well as be mobile beyond the rotational program to support your career development.
+ Must have reliable transportation for daily commuting to and from the office.
+ Proficiency in Microsoft Office software: Outlook, Excel, Word, Teams, SharePoint.
+ Active leadership experience in student organizations and/or work experiences with interest to continue to grow your leadership skills.
+ Demonstrated strengths in analysis, creative problem-solving, communication, interpersonal relationships, self-motivation, and leadership.
+ Strong interest in long-term career development.

**Preferred Qualifications:**

+ Previous Internship/Co-op experience
+ Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
+ Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) or supply chain management software.
+ Exposure to data analytics tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) or programming languages like Python or SQL for operations analysis.
+ Understanding of manufacturing automation, IoT, or smart factory technologies.
+ Experience working in cross-functional or cross-cultural teams.
+ Study abroad or international internship experience.
+ Demonstrated change management or project leadership experience
+ Coursework or experience in business strategy, finance, or operations research.
+ Participation in case competitions, business simulations, or entrepreneurial ventures.

**_This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

To be considered for this opportunity, you must apply on our career page._**

**_We hope you're ready for the ultimate adventure!_**

The starting pay range for Minnesota and Washington is $65,000 to $76,000 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; Indian Motorcycle® mid-size and heavyweight motorcycles; 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 (https://www.polaris.com/en-us/)

**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_ _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

Required Skill Profession

Other General