VP Domain Head, AI Scaling Hub - Operational Excellence, TRATON R&D US, LLC

Position OverviewTRATON R&D has a great opportunity for a VP Domain Head, AI Scaling Hub - Operational Excellence, TRATON R&D US, LLCTRATON R&D The TRATON Research & Development (R&D) organization is going through a major transformation with the target to become an even stronger Group by completing the establishment of a worldwide Group R&D organization. We will set ourselves up to be able to fully deliver the time-critical Group R&D roadmap and to fulfil the high expectations to deliver outstanding customer value and drive effectiveness. This enables us to secure competitiveness in our business, in other words win market positions and ensure Group R&D is a strong business partner for TRATON Group and the brands (Scania, MAN, INTERNATIONAL, Volkswagen Truck & Bus). Position Details:About usAt TRATON R&D, you are an important part of something bigger. Joining us means gaining access to the ins and outs of the entire transportation industry. As part of a global team of industry experts, you get to think bigger, experience more, and reach further. Being bigger also means being stronger. Together with our brands, we have the collective power to transform transportation.In Operational Excellence, we combine ambition with humility. We believe meaningful progress happens when capable people listen well, work together, and turn complexity into something others can act on. That is the spirit we hope this role will bring.Your tasksIn the role as Domain Head, AI Scaling Hub, you will lead the Operational Excellence agenda for the AI Scaling Hub, working across TRATON Group R&D and in close collaboration with the brands and central functions. Your mission is to help turn AI ambition into practical, scalable, and value-creating ways of working.This is a role for someone who can create clarity, build trust, and help others move forward. You do not need to be the loudest voice in the room. But you do need to bring sound judgment, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to connect strategy, structure, and execution in a way that works in real life.In this role, you will:Lead and develop the operating model for the AI Scaling Hub so priorities, governance and follow-up are clear and useful.Work closely with stakeholders across R&D, the brands and central functions to align direction, remove friction and support progress.Help identify where AI can create meaningful value and how it can reshape workloads, priorities, and ways of working in a responsible and sustainable way.Establish pragmatic structures for steering, performance follow-up and value tracking without adding unnecessary bureaucracy.Contribute to a culture marked by curiosity, accountability, respect, and a genuine willingness to help others succeed.As our AI Scaling Hub is part of TRATON Group R&D, we work in close collaboration with the brands across the Group. In this role, it is therefore important to combine a Group perspective with understanding of local realities. You will need to hold the bigger picture while staying close to what teams need in order to make progress.Desired Skills: Strong experience from operational excellence, transformation, strategy execution, program leadership or business operations in a complex international environment.A solid track record of leading cross-functional change and creating clarity in settings with many stakeholders and dependencies.Extensive exprience of AI, data, analytics, or digital transformation to work confidently with specialists and connect technical and business perspectives.Experience of building or improving operating models, governance, portfolio steering, or performance follow-up.Very good communication skills in English and a collaborative, grounded way of leading through others.If this sounds like you, even if your background does not match every single point, we would genuinely like to hear from you. We know that strong candidates do not always check every box, and we welcome applications from people with different experiences, perspectives, and career paths.Experience from R&D, advanced engineering, analytics or other innovation-driven environments will be seen as an advantage.What kind of position/job is this?This is a full-time, permanent position within the TRATON Group R&D Operational Excellence Department.Where is the job located?The role offers the flexibility to be based in any of the locations where the Group R&D organization operates (Munich, Germany; Södertälje, Sweden; Chicago, USA; Resende or San Bernado, Brazil), depending on the candidate's preference and location.Who will I be reporting to?You will report functionally to Tony Heard and legally to your local line manager depending on where you are based.About usAt TRATON, you are an important part of something bigger. Joining TRATON Group R&D means gaining access to the ins and outs of the entire transportation industry - working with colleagues across brands and regions to shape future technologies and solutions. As part of a global team of industry experts, you get to think bigger, experience more and reach further. Together, we have the collective power to transform transportation.Recruiting ProcessRecruiting process if selected: 60 min Microsoft Teams screening with the hiring team, cross-brand interview process, candidate selection, and offer phase.Cross-Brand RecruitingBy applying to this position, please be aware that we may share your application (e.g., CV) with relevant stakeholders across TRATON Group and its brands to enable a group-wide recruitment process. Resume & InterviewApplication and interview language is English. No cover letter needed.ContactsHiring Manager: Tony HeardLead Recruiter: Tess Cochrane Application PeriodApplications will be accepted until: 10/20/2026Screening will take place on an ongoing basis during the application period.Transportation.We look forward to your application!Minimum RequirementsBachelor's degree in computer science, data science, business, or related fieldAt least 16 years of progressive experience in tech strategy, digital/AI transformation, program management8 years of leadership experienceORMaster's degree in computer science, data science, business, or related fieldAt least 14 years of progressive experience in tech strategy, digital/AI transformation, program management8 years of leadership experienceORAt least 18 years of progressive experience in tech strategy, digital/AI transformation, program management8 years of leadership experienceAdditional RequirementsQualified candidates, excluding current employees, must be legally authorized on an unrestricted basis (US Citizen, Legal Permanent Resident, Refugee or Asylee) to be employed in the United States. We do not anticipate providing employment related work sponsorship for this position (e.g., H-1B status)Company OverviewAbout TRATONWith its brands Scania, MAN, International, and Volkswagen Truck & Bus, TRATON SE is the parent and holding company of the TRATON GROUP and one of the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. The Group’s product portfolio comprises trucks, buses, and light-duty commercial vehicles. “Transforming Transportation Together. For a sustainable world.”: this intention underlines the Company’s ambition to have a lasting and sustainable impact on the commercial vehicle business and on the Group’s commercial growth.About InternationalFrom a one-man company built on the world-changing invention of the McCormick reaper in 1831, to the 15,000-person-strong company we are today, few companies can lay claim to a history like International. Based in Lisle, Illinois, International Motors, LLC* creates solutions that deliver greater uptime and productivity to our customers throughout the full operation of our commercial vehicles. We build International® trucks and engines and IC Bus® school and commercial buses that are as tough and as smart as the people who drive them. We also develop Fleetrite® aftermarket parts. In everything we do, our vision is to accelerate the impact of sustainable mobility to create the cleaner, safer world we all deserve. As of 2021, we joined Scania, MAN and Volkswagen Truck & Bus in TRATON GROUP, a global champion of the truck and transport services industry. To learn more, visit International.com.*International Motors, LLC is d/b/a International Motors USA in Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, and Utah.EEO StatementWe are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.If you are a qualified individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to access the online application system or participate in the interview process due to your disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io to request assistance. Kindly specify Job Requisition Number / Job Title and Location in response. Otherwise, your request may not be considered.