Sourcing Lead, Indirect

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.

As a Sourcing Lead you will play a key role in shaping strategic sourcing initiatives across our Indirect categories. In this role, you’ll support the development and execution of category strategies that align with broader business goals. You’ll build strong stakeholder relationships and ensure supplier strategies deliver on four critical priorities: stakeholder alignment, cost competitiveness, quality, and contract compliance.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and implement Indirect Sourcing strategies to reduce Total Cost of Ownership, mitigate risks, and enhance supply security.

• Provide leadership and coaching on sourcing processes (RFP, RFI, RFQ) to build global team capability and mature strategic practices.

• ommunicate sourcing strategies, results, and metrics effectively to senior leadership, while championing Global Strategic Sourcing and promoting cross-functional partnership.

• Create and negotiate contract strategies that support Polaris’s commercial and supply objectives, delivering measurable business value.

• Stay current on industry trends within Indirect Sourcing categories and advise Business Units to support margin improvement and top-line growth.

• Implement strategic supplier initiatives to maximize value and drive continuous improvement.

• Lead strategic projects aimed at enhancing Indirect Sourcing processes, tools, and operational efficiency.

Supplier Relations:  

• Manage and establish supplier relationships to ensure alignment and effective communication with Polaris; negotiate and execute appropriate agreements in collaboration with cross-functional partners.

• Lead and oversee the full lifecycle of sourcing events and business-specific projects, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.

• Leverage Polaris’s scale in supplier negotiations, identifying opportunities for optimization and driving adoption of P2P practices.

• Rationalize and strategically manage the supply base within assigned categories through segmentation, consolidation, and increased spend under management.

• Execute initiatives that support key business goals, including process improvements and contributions to the Indirect Sourcing roadmap and maturity.

• Manage projects using established indirect sourcing processes and systems, ensuring consistency and efficiency.

Category or SBU Strategy:  

• Execute the multi-year strategy for the indirect category or GBU, incorporating input from stakeholders, purchasing goals, risk mitigation, growth plans, and the broader supply chain vision.

• Lead sourcing projects and support functions across multiple categories, aligning negotiation strategies with indirect, GBU, and enterprise-wide priorities to maximize business impact.

Sourcing Priority Management:  

• Develop and execute spend and cost reduction strategies aligned with category goals, setting quantifiable targets and collaborating with stakeholders to achieve long-term results.

• Leverage data-driven approaches—including fact-based negotiation, industry benchmarking, competitive market analysis, and spend reporting—to initiate and complete sourcing projects.

• Establish contractual agreements that drive sustainable cost savings, mitigate risk, support company objectives, and enable future growth.

• Effectively manage multiple competing priorities and projects, maintaining focus and delivering results in a dynamic environment.

Requirements:  

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Supply Chain, Business, or a related field.

• Minimum of 4 years of Supply Chain experience, with a focus on Indirect (preferred) or Direct material sourcing.

• Strong proficiency in legal agreements and contracting processes, including contract drafting and related activities.

• Ability to quickly understand diverse business requirements and consistently deliver superior customer service and support.

• Excellent communication skills, with experience engaging diverse audiences and presenting to leadership, including executives.

• Proficient in reading, writing, and executing Statements of Work (SOWs).

• Skilled in negotiation, decision-making, customer service, and problem-solving.