Category Manager
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 21, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 20, 2026.
Req ID 92050 | Vernon Hills, Auburn Hills - Vernon Hills, Vernon Hills, United States ZF Services, LLC
About the Team
Responsible for defining and executing the regional category strategy and portfolio roadmap to drive profitable growth, market share, and customer satisfaction across the assigned product category. Owns portfolio performance including sales, margin, pricing, mix, and go-to-market effectiveness, while acting as the voice of the customer and market. Leads portfolio expansion, product positioning, pricing strategy, and new product introductions, ensuring alignment between regional business needs and global strategic objectives. Serves as the key link between Sales, Marketing, Engineering, Product Information, Supply Chain, and other cross-functional teams to maximize category performance and long-term business success.
What you can look forward to as Category Manager
- Develop and execute category strategies aligned with global-regional business objectives, customer needs, and market opportunities to drive sustainable growth and profitability.
- Conduct market, vehicle population (VIO), and competitive analysis, including product coverage, benchmarking, market share, pricing, and portfolio gap assessments, to identify growth opportunities and strengthen competitive positioning.
- Drive portfolio development and coverage expansion by prioritizing opportunities based on market potential, customer demand, and strategic business objectives.
- Monitor and evaluate category performance through sales, profitability, market share, product mix, and other key business indicators, translating insights into actionable improvement plans.
- Support pricing strategies, business case development, and commercial recommendations to enhance revenue growth, profitability, and market competitiveness.
- Lead and support portfolio initiatives, including new product introductions (NPI), portfolio optimization, product lifecycle management, and range extension opportunities.
- Collaborate with Sales, Engineering, Purchasing, Supply Chain, Marketing and other cross-functional teams to successfully execute category and portfolio strategies.
- Partner with Sales and Planning teams to support demand forecasting, portfolio planning, and the successful execution of both existing portfolio initiatives and new business opportunities.
- Serve as the voice of the market and category expert, translating customer, market, and performance insights into strategic recommendations that drive measurable business results.
Your Profile as Category Manager
- Bachelor's Degree
- 5+ years of experience in Category Management, Product Management, Portfolio Management, Marketing, or a related commercial role.
- Must have familiarity of the Aftermarket sector. Chassis experience is preferred.
- Experience managing product portfolios, pricing strategies, and go-to-market initiatives.
- Strong commercial acumen with demonstrated success driving sales growth, profitability, and market share.
- Experience with new product introductions (NPI), portfolio expansion, and product lifecycle management.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate market and customer insights into actionable business strategies.
- Proven ability to effectively lead and influence cross-functional teams in a matrix organization.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and business analytics tools.
- Must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now, and in the future.
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
Be part of our ZF team as Category Manager 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