Category Leader, Powertrain & E-mobility

Req ID 91843 | Vernon Hills, United States ZF Services, LLC

About the Position

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 
• A strong diversity culture
• 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.

Be part of our ZF team as Regional Category Leader, Powertrain and E-Mobility and apply now!

Contact

Gabriela Palacio

DIVERSITY COMMITMENT: 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are more than just words for us. They are at the core of the ZF Way that propels our team members towards their utmost success. We strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a natural reflex. We actively seek ways to remove barriers so that every member of ZF can rise to their full potential. We aim to embed this in our legacy through how we operate and build our products as we shape next generation mobility, safety, sustainability and social justice. 

With four generations across 118 nationalities in 41 countries, ZF combines a unique variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and ideas. Together, we solve problems, drive innovation and shape next generation mobility. 

Our company is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with us and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please contact us. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. ZF is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/Disability/Veteran