Category Manager - Marine & Commercial Accessories

Category Manager for Marine, Commercial, and Government & DefenseAt Polaris, we're redefining adventure by delivering innovative, high-performance Parts, Garments, and Accessories (PG&A) that enhance every ride. As the Category Manager for Marine, Commercial, and Government & Defense, you will play a critical role in shaping and executing the strategy for a dynamic product portfolio.In this role, you will lead the full product lifecycle—from concept and development through launch, growth, maturity, and end-of-life. You'll be responsible for product forecasting and demand planning, leveraging market insights, historical data, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure accurate projections and optimized inventory levels.You will also own product marketing strategy, partnering closely with brand, channel, and digital teams to develop compelling go-to-market plans, messaging, and launch campaigns that drive awareness, adoption, and customer loyalty.Additionally, you will have P&L ownership for your category, accountable for driving revenue growth, managing gross margins, and optimizing inventory performance to meet financial targets.This is a highly cross-functional role that requires strong collaboration with engineering, sourcing, sales, and marketing to deliver differentiated, customer-centric products that fuel growth and elevate the Polaris brand in the marine & commercial markets.Essential Duties and Responsibilities1. Category & Portfolio Strategy Leadership (30%)Provide end-to-end category leadership for Marine, Commercial, and Government & Defense PG&A, balancing consumer-driven accessory innovation with B2B, service-level, and fleet-oriented requirements.Serve as the centralized category owner for Marine and Commercial PG&A, aligning portfolio strategy with customer, channel, and business needsDefine and maintain the category vision, strategic priorities, and Long-Range Product Plan (LRPP) across Polaris and aftermarket brandsLead product strategy and planning across the full lifecycle: concept, development, launch, growth, maturity, and end-of-lifeBalance innovation, line extensions, and rationalization to maintain a healthy, profitable portfolioPartner with Marine, Commercial, and Gov & Defense business leaders to ensure category roadmaps support platform strategies, lifecycle needs, and customer use casesIdentify whitespace and growth opportunities through market analysis, competitive benchmarking, and customer insights2. Product Development & Lifecycle Management (20%)Collaborate with PD&D, Engineering, Industrial Design, and Sourcing to define product requirements, cost targets, and timelinesChampion Voice of Customer insights to inform product design, feature prioritization, and portfolio decisionsEnsure flawless execution of new product launches with on-time, on-quality deliveryOwn PLM data accuracy and governance, ensuring centralized, actionable product informationLead product lifecycle decisions, including strategic discontinuations, supersessions, and refreshesTrack regulatory, technology, and competitive trends impacting Marine, Commercial, and Gov & Defense applications3. Go-To-Market, Service Enablement (25%)Own product marketing strategy in partnership with Brand, Channel, and Digital teamsDevelop GTM plans, positioning, and messaging tailored to Marine consumers and Commercial/Gov customersCo-Develop & Support parts and service strategies, including service-level expectations, uptime considerations, and lifecycle support needsPartner with Sales, Dealer, and Commercial teams to enable effective selling tools, training, and launch readinessCoordinate accessory and parts bundles that enhance ownership experience, productivity, and total lifecycle valueSupport attachment, penetration, and adoption strategies across Marine and Commercial platforms4. Financial Ownership & Business Performance (15%)Maintain P&L ownership for the category, including revenue, gross margin, and inventory performanceDevelop and manage forecasts for sales volume, attachment rates, pricing, and profitabilityPartner with Sourcing to deliver annual cost reduction and margin improvement initiativesMonitor inventory health and work cross-functionally to optimize turns, obsolescence risk, and availabilitySupport annual operating plans, strategic planning cycles, and investment prioritization5. Cross-Functional Leadership & External Engagement (10%)Collaborate closely with Engineering, Sourcing, Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Operations teamsInfluence without authority to align stakeholders around shared priorities and trade-offsRepresent the category and division at industry events, trade shows, customer visits, and internal leadership forumsMentor and support junior team members and project teams as appropriateSkills and KnowledgeBachelor's degree required; MBA or relevant graduate degree strongly preferred.Minimum of 5–8 years of experience in product development, sales, or marketing, preferably within powersports, automotive, or related industries.Proven analytical and financial acumen with the ability to interpret data and drive strategic decisions.Exceptional presentation and communication skills, with the ability to influence diverse audiences—including senior leadership, B2B partners, media, and dealer networks.Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust and alignment across cross-functional teams.Deep customer focus with working knowledge of both quantitative and qualitative market research methodologies.Hands-on product knowledge required; extensive familiarity with off-road vehicles, powersports, or automotive products is a strong advantage.Working ConditionsStandard office environment. Regular trips to key suppliers, Polaris engineering and manufacturing facilities.Travel required approximately 25% of the time (primarily throughout US & Canada, occasionally overseas).The starting pay range for Minnesota is $115,000 to $156,000 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!