ZF Group · 1 day ago
Regional Lead of Category Management - Braking Systems
Vernon Hills, IL
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$113K/yr - $141K/yr
8+ years expZF Group is a leading global technology company and they are seeking a Regional Lead of Category Management for Braking Systems. This strategic leadership role involves defining and executing the North America braking category strategy while leading a team to drive growth, profitability, and lifecycle management across various product lines.
AutomotiveElectric VehicleManufacturing
Hiring Manager
Gabriela Palacio
Responsibilities
Shape and execute the North America braking category strategy to drive growth and profitability, including portfolio mix, pricing, positioning, and lifecycle management, aligned with global leadership
Lead market studies and develop business plans to capture growth opportunities and anticipate customer needs and market trends
Own category P&L levers — set and monitor targets for sales, margin, share, and coverage; drive actions to achieve KPI objectives. Ensure budget control and corrective actions for category initiatives
Optimize product portfolio through SKU rationalization and vehicle parc coverage to maximize competitiveness and profitability
Partner with Purchasing, Supply Chain, and Operations to influence sourcing decisions, cost structures, and supplier performance to support growth and margin improvement
Lead and develop a team of direct reports (Regional Category and Product Managers); build talent and succession plans
Drive go-to-market readiness for new products and updates, ensuring effective communication and differentiation in the marketplace
Deliver regular category reviews outlining current market position, strategic roadmap, and growth initiatives
Monitor and report on KPI health: sales growth, net margin, mix, pricing realization, time-to-market, availability, coverage, and competitive position
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, engineering, or related field
8–10 years in Category Management, including portfolio strategy, pricing, and key P&L levers (margin, mix, cost)
Proven team leadership: hiring, coaching, and performance management
Strong analytical and commercial skills; ability to use data to optimize pricing, mix, sales, and margin
Ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines
Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills
Intercultural competence: able to collaborate effectively with global teams across regions
Preferred
MBA preferred
Automotive aftermarket experience strongly preferred
Braking systems experience a plus
Benefits
A supportive collaborative team environment
Annual Incentive Plan
Paid Vacation
401k Plan
Health Care Benefits
Paid Holidays
A Hybrid Work Schedule (2 days remote/3 days onsite)
A strong diversity culture
Supportive Employee Groups and community outreach activities
Company
ZF Group
ZF Group is a technology company supplying systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and industrial technology enabling mobility. It is a sub-organization of ZF Commercial Vehicle Control Systems India.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$1.5B2025-09-25Debt Financing· $1.5B
Leadership Team
Nicolas Bardot
Senior Vice President Integrated Supply Chain CVCS Division
Jd Marhevko
Vice President of Quality, ZF Division U. Electronics & ADAS
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