Category Leader, Powertrain & E-mobility

ZF Group; Vernon Hills (IL); On-site; USD 113,000 - 141,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Incentive Plan

Paid Vacation

Personal Time

401k Plan

Health Care Benefits

Paid Holidays

Employee Groups & community outreach

Job summary

ZF Group seeks a Regional Head of Category Management – Powertrain and E-Mobility to lead the North America category strategy across IAM, OES, and Service channels. You will translate market trends into portfolio opportunities and lead the regional Category Management team for profitable growth.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree with 7+ years in Category Management, powertrain expertise, and strong leadership. Hybrid work considerations across Vernon Hills, IL and Michigan locations apply.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in Category Management, incl. portfolio strategy, pricing, and commercial levers (sales, margin, cost).
• Powertrain experience required; E-Mobility experience a plus; automotive aftermarket experience strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or related field; MBA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own NA Powertrain and E-Mobility category strategy across IAM, OES, and Service channels.
• Translate market trends and customer needs into portfolio requirements and growth opportunities.
• Lead regional Category Management team and drive pricing strategy and profitability.
• Collaborate with Sales, Purchasing, Supply Chain, and suppliers to improve cost competitiveness and availability.
• Track KPIs and drive actions to achieve sales and profit targets.

Skills

Team leadership

Category management

Powertrain experience

E-Mobility experience

Strategic analytics

Customer negotiation

Intercultural collaboration

Multitasking

Advanced Excel

Presentation skills

SAP

Salesforce

BI tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or a related field

MBA preferred

Tools

Excel

SAP

Salesforce

BI tools

Job description

As Regional Category Leader – Powertrain and E-Mobility, you will lead the North America category strategy across IAM, OES, and Service channels, with responsibility for portfolio performance, competitive positioning, and profitable growth. You will translate customer needs, market trends, and competitive insights into winning portfolio strategies and growth opportunities, while leading the regional Category Management team. This position can be based in Vernon Hills, IL; Northville, MI; or Auburn Hills, MI.

What you can look forward to as a Regional Head of Category Management – Powertrain and E-Mobility:

• Own and execute the NA Powertrain and E-Mobility category strategy across IAM, OES, and Service channels, driving sales and profitable growth.
• Translate market trends, customer needs, vehicle parc, and competitive benchmarking into product and portfolio requirements, positioning, and profitable growth opportunities.
• Drive portfolio development and optimization, including range extensions, new product opportunities, SKU rationalization, and vehicle parc coverage, supported by strong business cases.
• Partner with Sales to define and pursue growth plans for key customers and represent Category Management as the portfolio expert in customer discussions.
• Lead regional pricing strategy and price positioning, including new product pricing, price requests, annual adjustments, and competitive benchmarking.
• Own portfolio performance across sales, margin, volume, mix, availability, and pricing, taking actions to achieve business targets.
• Ensure regional market and customer requirements are reflected in new product development and launches, driving speed to market, commercial and service readiness, and profitable growth from new products.
• Partner with Purchasing, Supply Chain, Operations, and suppliers to improve cost competitiveness, availability, and portfolio profitability.
• Lead sales and strategic planning for the category, track key performance indicators, and drive corrective actions to achieve sales and profit growth targets.
• Lead and develop the regional Category and Product Management team, building capabilities and a strong talent pipeline.

Your Profile as a Regional Head of Category Management – Powertrain and E-Mobility:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or a related field; MBA preferred.
• 7+ years in Category Management, including portfolio strategy, pricing, and key commercial levers such as sales, margin, and cost.
• Powertrain experience required; E-Mobility experience a plus; automotive aftermarket experience strongly preferred.
• Proven team leadership, including hiring, coaching, and performance management.
• Strong strategic, analytical, and commercial skills, with the ability to use data to drive sales, margin, and pricing decisions.
• Strong customer orientation, negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong MS Office skills, including advanced Excel and presentation skills; SAP, Salesforce, and BI tools preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines.
• Strong intercultural competence and ability to collaborate effectively across global teams.

What We Offer:

• A supportive collaborative team environment
• Annual Incentive Plan
• Paid Vacation
• Personal Time
• 401k Plan
• Health Care Benefits
• Paid Holidays
• Supportive Employee Groups and community outreach activities

The expected base compensation for this role is $113,100.00 - $141,400.00 annually. Actual base compensation within the identified range will vary based on factors relevant to the position.