Procurement Category Manager-Interior and Bus Products

Position Overview

International in Lisle is looking to add a Procurement Category Manager – Interior and Bus Products to their team! The Procurement Category Manager – Interiors and Bus Products leads the Technology, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Risk, and Sustainability performance of International’s Interiors and Bus Products supply base. Responsible for components such as school bus seats, safety components, trim parts, bus floors, insulations, and other interior parts for International products.

This person is responsible for developing and executing the product category strategy. Key activities include leading strategic sourcing for future programs, resourcing current business, managing cost reduction projects, supplier negotiations and contract administration, execution of comprehensive commercial agreements, and overall supplier performance management. In this role, you will co‑lead the Interiors and Bus Products Category Management Team (CMT), working cross‑functionally within International and across TRATON Brands, interfacing with program management, quality, manufacturing, sales & marketing, risk management, finance, logistics, aftermarket parts, product pricing, supply chain, and more.

• Lead the Category Management Team to develop and execute category strategy aligned with business plan, launch, cost, quality, delivery, and sustainability objectives.
• Negotiate and execute pricing, long‑term agreements, commercial settlements, and supply agreements to ensure robust supply and competitive total cost.
• Manage and report CMT performance against targets to leadership. Own CMT goals, drive accountability, and support decisions that positively impact the business plan.
• Collaborate with sister TRATON brands on group strategy alignment, sourcing leverage, supplier footprint, and shared cost reduction opportunities.
• Work with engineering to identify and implement design, technology, and material solutions that minimize supply risk and optimize quality, cost, and manufacturability.
• Build strong strategic partnerships with suppliers to ensure product quality, launch readiness, on‑time delivery, service levels, innovation, and business continuity.
• Analyze category spend to identify and develop cost reduction opportunities using procurement levers including competitive bidding, global sourcing, negotiation, technology, supply chain/footprint optimization, target costing, aftermarket service parts, and value engineering.
• Work with International legal group to execute a variety of legal agreements such as Non‑disclosure, Comprehensive Supply, Development, Warranty, Tooling, and related commercial agreements.
• Maintain clear communication with Supply Chain, Operations, Procurement, Engineering, and other internal customers; elevate issues when needed and know who, when, and how to communicate effectively with all stakeholders.

• Bachelor's degree and at least 5 years of supply chain, engineering or manufacturing experience; at least 1 year of lead experience.
• Master's degree and at least 3 years of supply chain, engineering or manufacturing experience; at least 1 year of lead experience.
• At least 8 years of supply chain, engineering or manufacturing experience; at least 1 year of lead experience.

• Qualified candidates, excluding current employees, must be legally authorized on an unrestricted basis in the United States. We do not anticipate providing employment‑related work sponsorship for this position (e.g., H‑1B status).

• Working knowledge of AI and digital tools, including practical use of Microsoft Copilot, Power BI, Ivalua to improve daily productivity.
• Strong analytical skills, including data mining, spend analysis, supplier performance reporting, and fact‑based decision making.
• Procurement background with experience in Commercial Vehicle, Automotive, Bus, Heavy Equipment, or relevant manufacturing industries.
• Self‑starter with the ability to deal with ambiguity, work independently, and drive results across multiple priorities.
• Ability to read, understand, negotiate, and execute contracts and commercial agreements.
• Excellent communication…