{"id":2938251,"url":"https://alion.io/job/zf-group-category-manager","title":"Category Manager","company":{"id":7001,"name":"ZF Group","domain":"zf.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/zf-group","size_band":"5000+","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"SuccessFactors","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":97,"open_postings":3,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.333,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":19,"computed_at":"2026-10-22T06:10:10Z"}},"role":"Operations","role_family":"Operations","seniority":"senior","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"explicit","locations":["Vernon Hills, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":68000,"max_usd":135000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":3522},"experience_years_min":5,"visa_sponsorship":true,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Microsoft Excel","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-20T16:37:15Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-20","last_verified_at":"2026-10-22T01:47:20Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":2,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":2},"description":"Req ID 92050 | Vernon Hills, Auburn Hills - Vernon Hills, Vernon Hills, United States ZF Services, LLC\nAbout the Team\nResponsible 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.\nWhat you can look forward to as Category Manager\nDevelop and execute category strategies aligned with global-regional business objectives, customer needs, and market opportunities to drive sustainable growth and profitability.\nConduct 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.\nDrive portfolio development and coverage expansion by prioritizing opportunities based on market potential, customer demand, and strategic business objectives.\nMonitor and evaluate category performance through sales, profitability, market share, product mix, and other key business indicators, translating insights into actionable improvement plans.\nSupport pricing strategies, business case development, and commercial recommendations to enhance revenue growth, profitability, and market competitiveness.\nLead and support portfolio initiatives, including new product introductions (NPI), portfolio optimization, product lifecycle management, and range extension opportunities.\nCollaborate with Sales, Engineering, Purchasing, Supply Chain, Marketing and other cross-functional teams to successfully execute category and portfolio strategies.\nPartner with Sales and Planning teams to support demand forecasting, portfolio planning, and the successful execution of both existing portfolio initiatives and new business opportunities.\nServe as the voice of the market and category expert, translating customer, market, and performance insights into strategic recommendations that drive measurable business results.\nYour Profile as Category Manager\nBachelor's Degree\n5+ years of experience in Category Management, Product Management, Portfolio Management, Marketing, or a related commercial role.\nMust have familiarity of the Aftermarket sector. Chassis experience is preferred. \nExperience managing product portfolios, pricing strategies, and go-to-market initiatives.\nStrong commercial acumen with demonstrated success driving sales growth, profitability, and market share.\nExperience with new product introductions (NPI), portfolio expansion, and product lifecycle management.\nStrong analytical skills with the ability to translate market and customer insights into actionable business strategies.\nProven ability to effectively lead and influence cross-functional teams in a matrix organization.\nExcellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.\nAdvanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and business analytics tools.\nMust be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now, and in the future. \nWhat We Offer\nA supportive collaborative team environment\nAnnual Incentive Plan\nPaid Vacation \nPersonal Time\n401k Plan\nHealth Care Benefits\nPaid Holidays \nA strong diversity culture\nSupportive Employee Groups and community outreach activities\nBe part of our ZF team as Category Manager and apply now!\nContact\nGabriela Palacio\nDIVERSITY COMMITMENT:\nDiversity, 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.\nWith 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.\nOur 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. 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