Your Dream Job? Polaris Recruiting A Marketing Director For Indian Motorcycles.

Job Title: Director, Marketing Indian Motorcycles Profession: Marketing Department Head. Status Full-time. Job summary description: lead Indian marketing efforts in development and implementation of strategies and plan that meet or exceed retail sales objectives. Key leader in driving Indian Motorcycles to become a Global Motorcycle Brand. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Marketing/Brand Strategies and Plan Development. Develops and implements short and long-term marketing plans and strategies to support the growth objectives of the company. Identifies, qualifies and pursues growth opportunities.* Develops and executes purchase funnel…etc. For full description of offer and to apply online, jump to Polaris Careers. (many other positions are available)

39 Responses to “Your Dream Job? Polaris Recruiting A Marketing Director For Indian Motorcycles.”


  1. 1 G. Dresder Aug 21st, 2011 at 11:56 am

    Cyril. It’s one for you, but I know you will not apply.

  2. 2 Rider2 Aug 21st, 2011 at 1:01 pm

    They have been looking for a while now…. Cyril posted this over 2 months ago… the right candidate seems to be harder to find than expected…

  3. 3 Henry Aug 21st, 2011 at 1:22 pm

    Rider 2. I think you are wrong. The former ad Cyril ran was for an Indian Motorcycles Designer.

  4. 4 steveb Aug 21st, 2011 at 1:34 pm

    a potentially great opportunity for a special person with a unique set of skills to help reinvent/relaunch an iconic brand in a product category that just doesn’t see that kind of action very often…..

  5. 5 Rider2 Aug 21st, 2011 at 2:35 pm
  6. 6 john reed Aug 21st, 2011 at 3:00 pm

    How much do you think the salary is for a position like this?
    I have retired and I dont want another job, I am just curious.

  7. 7 1550tc Aug 21st, 2011 at 4:17 pm

    Rider2 unreal how some people just cant read? and love to argue?

    Yeah interview some guys, short lidt a few then pick their heads & look at some of their work then hire they first guy they had in mind……..dont they have the Ness clan on their payroll??

    Put Kiwi Mike on their staff or interview panel ASAP and quit wasting time and money………. its a motorcycle marketing guy not a Lamborghini marketing guy

  8. 8 Rider2 Aug 21st, 2011 at 4:58 pm

    Henry is correct though. They were/are also looking for a Indian motorcycle designer. It is probably a very hard decision to make. Good luck to all the candidates.

  9. 9 bshirk Aug 21st, 2011 at 10:51 pm

    If there is any thing Indian needs, it is a designer & should be above the top of the list.
    WAAAAAY above.

  10. 10 Nobody Aug 22nd, 2011 at 12:35 am

    “An understanding, appreciation and or passion for motorized vehicles.”

    They need to change that to “must have a passion for motorized vehicles” Some schmub that doesnt really care about power sports is going to be just another monkey wanker with an mba, and produce luke warm results.

    just my thoughts…

  11. 11 highrpm Aug 22nd, 2011 at 2:10 am

    pls keep it all metal.

  12. 12 Leo de Almeida Aug 22nd, 2011 at 7:19 am

    Good, very good.

  13. 13 WAKE UP POLARIS Aug 22nd, 2011 at 8:14 am

    Polaris needs to start putting Motorcycle RIDERS in charge of these teams. Their reps are weak. Call Any Indian Dealer and ask them if their rep even rides a Motorcycle. Most of these guys are just people wanting to make commision on their orders. The guy they choose should be an actual Rider, NOT someone who thinks they know what the heritage is about. Sadly, the girl or guy they choose should probably not have a life either. Sounds like an 80 hour a week Job.

  14. 14 Mike Greenwald Aug 22nd, 2011 at 8:22 am

    Polaris hasn’t defined the parameters of the Indian brand. Polaris will either slip into mediocrtiy with the Indian brand or they will take a long hard look at the historical significance, accomplishments and failings of the original Indian brand (including the WWII debacle).

    Currently, Indian is a boutique novelty that is nothing more than a retro tribute bike. They have no product under the brand name that excels at anything but high price. Even most disgruntled Harley owners are usually unwilling to ante up double for a cosmetic deviant/variant of the Road King.

    Polaris seems to be setting this position up for failure rather than strength.

    It may bode them well to take an unused platform such as the CORE and develop suspension, and powertrain variants for the Indian brand from this more simplistic and affordable base.

    As the aging boomer crowd dwindles in numbers and expendable income, it may behoove Polaris to relinquish some of the current and future Victory owners to the Indian brand. I would caution Polaris to be mindful of the history of Harley Davidson and Aermacchi. Filling a market void makes the whole industry cast a jaded glance at such antics.

  15. 15 Top Cat Aug 22nd, 2011 at 10:33 am

    I made one trip around with the last Indian reincarnation. The sad part was the house was primarily full of a few distinctly divided types of people:

    * Industry veterans who loved the brand and what it meant to all of us, for me that was my uncle sitting my butt down on one as a kid lighting a lifetime love affair with motorcycles.

    * Ex-criminals that only knew or wanted to build a glorified California Custom Motorcycle and line their personal pockets with as much cash as possible

    * Ex- Harley employees that wanted to make it a Harley

    * Canadian investors who saw the only value being the soft goods (apparel, jeans, jackets etc.) as this was a very successful line in the Canadian market

    * Investors pushing an IPO hoping to repeat the Martha Stewart success story

    To many of us it was very personal and very painful to see the outcome of that effort, The brand had deeper meaning than a commodity bike and we worked endless hours to try and make up for the shortcomings that existed, their were missed opportunities (such as the chance to purchase Excelsior and get proprietary components, engine etc). Their were good times and unfortunately a larger share of bad times, but the one thing that was undeniable was the feeling myself and many others felt when we lined up behind those beach bars and rolled the Chief down the street at speed, It was special even with it’s faults and I cannot remember not smiling as I twisted the throttle and saw the looks on the faces of others as we rolled by. I believe that Polaris will do well by this brand and hope for the sake of Indian they do. This brand still has some life left in her and I hope one last run at a new legacy of excellence and success.

  16. 16 NutCracker Aug 22nd, 2011 at 11:20 am

    Must speak Indian!

  17. 17 Robert Pandya Aug 22nd, 2011 at 3:16 pm

    Hello all –

    Speaking as someone working closely to this project, I can tell you that many of your points (aside from the absurd stuff) have been taken into consideration. Time will reveal the attention we are paying to the brand. Victory is growing strong, and behind the scenes at Indian, well, let’s just say there is a lot of coffee being brewed these days. We’re rockin full bore.

    One thing we know is that no matter what happens, there will be some people who wish we would just fail. Those who spend more time complaining online than riding their own bikes. We do also know that there will be many many people globally who will be interested in what we are doing, and will appreciate the amount of work going into the brand now. None of it is visible – that is unless you get hired for what will be a historically significant position. Working for Polaris and with Indian is not for the weak, whiney and half-informed. But once you are in, and prove your value, it is very rewarding.

    I cannot imagine a Powersports company building momentum faster than Polaris right now. If you have applied – I wish you luck. And advise you to cancel you vacation – there is a lot going on, you will hit the ground running…and riding.

    Robert Pandya
    External Relations Manager
    Victory Motorcycles

  18. 18 Ryan Willhoite Aug 22nd, 2011 at 6:37 pm

    I bet I could do that job for about one week, in an office no way. They do need someone with their ass in a saddle and put a lot of miles under their belt that will sell bikes.

  19. 19 roscoe Aug 22nd, 2011 at 7:03 pm

    Looking forward to what you guys and gals come up with, Robert.

  20. 20 deadwood1783 Aug 23rd, 2011 at 9:10 am

    At the risk of being riduculed, which is no big deal to me. If I were in upper management at Polaris I would be ringing Dan Hanlon’s phone. People seem to concentrate only on the shortcomings and forget the triumphs EH had along the way. I knew basically no one in this industry who ever thought Hanlon stood a chance of reaching production. Top HD Brass of the era have personally told me at Dealer Meetings that they pushed very hard shut doors for the EH crew which contributed heavily to the massive cost over runs during intial production. No one else in our lifetime has been able to start a truly proprietary motorcycle company from the ground up without a corporate mothership. I remember one HD VP saying of EH, “These guys get it. They understand our market and how to crack it”. It couldn’t hurt to talk to the guy. And by the way, $$$ have a way of dispensing with any bad blood from the past. Whatever Polaris does with Indian and Victory, I wish them nothing but success!

  21. 21 Robert Pandya Aug 23rd, 2011 at 6:44 pm

    Thanks Deadwood – it will be a success. I donlt the the Hanlon thing happening given the Minnesota politics and what was left in the wake of the EH demise.

    Roscoe – we may not deliver what each person wants right out of the gate – but we look at Indian over a long period of time – not as another start-up.

    Ryan – if your lead guy does not ride INTO the the office knowing of what he speaks, we certainly wouldn’t send him out with the company gas card to figure it out. No time for neutral over here. We’re rockin.

    Gotta get back to work –

    Rp

  22. 22 CHINGON CHOPPERS Aug 24th, 2011 at 3:06 pm

    Would like to see an Indian Cheif with nice hard bags and fairing with stereo and perhaps a drive train like the Victory bikes. I like the “No Primary chain” concept that has been around for over 60 years.

    Make the Indian light, smooth and efficient. Concetrate on key items like a cooler engine, plush suspension, comfort, adjustability and cruise control. I have a 2001 Cheif but it beats me up on long rides just like a Softail

    . I have the Victory XC in my sights…… We will see when the next Indian comes out.

    RP, looking forward to the new Indians. Please keep us posted. David Chingon

  23. 23 Just an Opinion Aug 24th, 2011 at 6:20 pm

    Just an opinion, but whoever gets hired, might want to check with the Minnesota Dealer. I know his mother is Native American Indian. Polaris might want to consider them as a good source of info as I’m sure Polaris would not want to offend anyone with what they name their Motorcycles. Indian names for bikes other than whats already out there might offend. Good idea to be able to mix names for bikes without offending anyone, but then again there are those out there who don’t care.

  24. 24 1personSOpinion Aug 24th, 2011 at 9:38 pm

    Just an opinion, if Polaris knows what’s good for them they will run, not walk away from the MN dealer. #loosecannon.

  25. 25 WAKE UP POLARIS Aug 25th, 2011 at 7:46 am

    Doubtful. I’ve met the owner of the MN Dealership plenty of times. I highly doubt there is any other dealer and crew with the love of the brand than these guys. To know the guy, is to like the guy. I think the loose cannon remark comes from the over promising and under delivering that KM did and the MN dealer not putting up with it. I wouldn’t blame him or any other dealer for being a loose cannon when they were fed a bunch of lies.

  26. 26 1personSOpinion Aug 25th, 2011 at 2:07 pm

    to learn about the mn dealer, read his posts on this site.

  27. 27 WAKE UP POLARIS Aug 25th, 2011 at 3:03 pm

    I’ve read the posts, and from what I see and have learned is, that the dealership doesn’t let anyone bully them. I also read somewhere, that he doesn’t have to do this to make a living, which would make sense for the love of the brand they have. They obviously are not in it for the money, because there has not been any dealer that has made money with this venture. Would you let someone bully you? Doubtful. Do you like being lied to? Doubtful. The Minnesota dealer has the hardest working crew I’ve met. They recently hosted a charity event that raised over $5500 in school supplies for Children, locally, out of state, and out of the country. I was at the event. The owner set up the entire event himself with help from his small crew and help from Indian Owners. Did you donate to this event 1personSOpinion? One hell of a great ride. I don’t own an Indian yet, but If i ever did, I’d buy from the MN Dealer. Top Notch crew. I commend them. And I’d also like to thank them for their great work with the event, a safe ride, and helping under priviledged youth get school supplies.

  28. 28 1personSOpinion Aug 25th, 2011 at 9:17 pm

    The reason Welch will never be considered for the Indian position is on Cyrils blog here:

    http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/08/08/titan-motorcycles-assets-sold-to-arizona-motorcycle-works/

    His back and forth makes him look like a loose cannon. The worst part was his comment about RIP then Donn is murdered a few months later. Surprised he wasn’t investigated.

    THE GUY THAT SUED Andy Prude-foot
    Dec 14th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
    This guy is getting nothing more than he deserves.. I agree.. they should check his greencard and send hime back to Canada if they even decide to accept him there. This guy has broken every law there is in the U.S. that is supposed to protect it’s dealers..
    Pretty sad that they don’t build fences in Canada to keep scum like this guy out of the U.S., that can come in here and hurt U.S businesses… He even screwed his own fellow Canadians. This guy will eventually go to prison, or lose everything he has.. from here on.. i’m sure it will be a win win situation for everyone from here on except the little expedia.com gnome. for little Andy prude-foot.. RIP will mean.. REST IN PAIN.

  29. 29 WAKE UP POLARIS Aug 25th, 2011 at 11:14 pm

    Yes, I think we all read that. Especially the people OBSESSED with bringing down Art Welch. Sounds to me like now you’re trying to bring down Mr. Welch yourself. We all know once words are written, they will be there for good. He’s come a long way since then. Mr. Proudfoot was murdered in his home. Whats funny is that you almost sound like you’re accusing Mr. Welch of Proudfoots Murder. If you read many of his posts, he was following things the legal way, which is why he was probably never investigated. But you seem to have a very personal agenda against Mr. Welch. Maybe We should be watching what you do next in case Mr Welch ever gets murdered in his home. Mr. Proudfoot screwed a lot of dealers if you read through the blogs. Someone obviously had, had enough to take action into their own hands with Donn. And I don’t see anywhere that says Mr. Welch was applying for this position at Polaris. Call me silly, but its obvious you’re reaching for the stars here. Art, and his crew, and his dealership are good folk. If it wasn’t for all of them this past weekend, and the 120+ riders that supported his good will for children, there would sure be a lot of kids without school supplies. God Bless the riders, Art Welch, his Staff, and the kids they helped.

  30. 30 1personSOpinion Aug 26th, 2011 at 6:48 am

    Sounds like you ought to start a fan club for him.

  31. 31 WAKE UP POLARIS Aug 26th, 2011 at 8:09 am

    Not necessarily. But I will commend him and his hard working crew for setting something up for helping to do great charity work. Makes me wonder what you’ve done to help out some kids.

  32. 32 kc cheef Aug 26th, 2011 at 8:11 am

    Hello Robert Pandya.
    Talk is pretty easy.
    My question is WHEN does Polaris/Victory plan on beginning to service the KM era bikes that are already out there having some REAL issues.
    Word on the street is–little to no support from Polaris Indian–no parts source from Polaris/Indian–and the existing dealerships seem to be more worried about the pecking order when the PolIndians come out than they are about servicing their customers.
    The excuse that has been being used is the parts are in transit from Kings Mountain.
    That excuse has time running out on it.
    Maybe another pot of coffee and a little more overtime unloading and inventorying and distributing would be a consideration? There can’t be more than one or two truckloads to go through from the mountain.
    No disrespect intended Robert just an observation.
    Polaris is beginning to sound just like KM did during the last start up.
    This blog has quite a few interesting blurbs in its archives from the Steve days, and you’re kind of eerily echoing what we’ve heard before.
    And–before the hate begins?
    Yes I am an Indian Fan–ride one everyday and enjoy the hell out of it.
    Top Cat nailed it!!!
    You ride behind those beach bars and you get hooked for life.

    @1personSOpinion.
    You know what they say about opinions?
    Mine is–Twin Cities is OK.
    Charolette? Well that’s the dealership that needs to be avoided.

  33. 33 LC "LOOSE CANNON" WELCH Aug 26th, 2011 at 10:11 am

    A.K.A.—> Art Welch.. Funny how somehow on this Blog.. the subject matter cannot, NOT include me, when it comes to Indian Motorcycles.

  34. 34 Rick Lossner Aug 26th, 2011 at 10:14 am

    KC Cheef… our unauthorized watchdog for KM

    Never owned one, has said nothing but bad about them … and has stated he’ll never own one..

    Thinking…. no responses required by anyone on the subject

    Signed,
    Loyal KM Owner/Rider

  35. 35 brett Aug 26th, 2011 at 10:31 am

    All I can say is I have yet took have a bad experience with the loose cannon welsh and his crew. I know no one will ever get everyone to like them but until art wrongs me I have his back. And yes he does alot of good in MN and his ride is one of the biggest around. He must be alright to get a turnout like he doe

  36. 36 Brian Denny Aug 26th, 2011 at 10:12 pm

    As the organizer of the largest run in Minnesota ” The Flood Run ” Art and Twin Cities Motorcycle have been one of the main sponsers for a few years now. Helping with our designs, printing, flyers… I have watched Art write a big check every year to Gillette Childern’s Hospital. I went on Twin Cities Indian School Supplies Run and had a great time helping raise money for supplies! The following Tuesday at Art’s Indian dealership they were over run with kids needing those supplies for the upcoming school year. Stand up person in my book! Talk is cheap, actions are where the work is done.

  37. 37 Robert Pandya Aug 27th, 2011 at 9:32 am

    KC – buying, moving the production line and going back into production on a bike that we did NOT design will be accomplished by October. The Polaris engineering team is popping the seams at the new facility in Wyoming. They dug into and found immediate improvements in processes, parts, and function in the KM design and will be implementing those in Spirit Lake when production starts in October. Those will be the best made Indians in a long time – but rest assured that Polaris has no intention on resting.

    Anybody familiar with production, delivery of parts, QUALITY checking, and the wholesale purchase and and restructuring of a company should be impressed with the speed at which Polaris has adopted the current design and bringing it back to market. It could have been thrown out while everyone waits for what’s to come, but the company will back the adopted design, build the dealer network and take care of customers. There will always be somebody whining about this or that – keyboards make for handy weapons. Polaris will put their talents forth and at some time there will be a new Indian – and NO MATTER what we do – there will be people whining about what we do. There are people asking for the first new Indian to be an Electric Superbike, an in-line four, a $5000 entry level bike, and to not mess with it at all. We won’t make everyone happy right away – but rest assured that customers buying the Polaris designed Indian will be just as proud of their bikes, the company and the brand as current owners of any era Indian.

    Some dealers are also having to learn how Polaris management works, having to account for their local actions and CSI, and engaging the brand in a way they never have before. Owning a dealership is hard work. Owning a brand is hard work. Lobbing conjecture filled and second-hand ill-information is easy.

    As is me getting on my bike and heading out for a nice breakfast – I’m out.

    Have a good weekend all.

  38. 38 Rick Lossner Aug 29th, 2011 at 7:45 am

    @Robert . Excellent response on the future of Indian and KM issues. I for one appreciate the survey’s I have been receiving for my input into the new bike,.

    Additionally, VERY interested to see the new bikes (’12s) pop up in a few months….. I may just grab one since they’ll most likely be the ‘last’ of the KM to the core bikes… and then…. test the water again with the Polaris variation

    BTW….. when is the Stage 1 going to be available?? [ had to sneak that in ! 🙂 ]

  39. 39 kc cheef Aug 30th, 2011 at 7:49 am

    Hi Rick.
    No I don’t own one and won’t own one after the last one I rode.
    I’d be willing to bet I have as many miles on a KM as you do right now though.
    As for that stage 1 kit?
    Are you aware it has already been made available, and has already been recalled?

    Hey Robert.
    If you are reffering to my post as ”lobbing conjecture filled and second hand ill information”?
    No second hand here.
    I kind of keep in touch with quite a number of KM owners.
    Rick seems to have bought one of those few ”perfect” KM bikes.
    There are a few of them out there.
    Mostly shine and trailer bikes but that’s cool too.

    As for me never saying anything good about the KM bikes?
    You might do a little more research Rick.
    As for the”Loyal KM owner” on your sig?
    Good for you.

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Cyril Huze