Position OverviewTRATON R&D has a great opportunity for a
VP Domain Head, AI Scaling Hub - Operational Excellence, TRATON R&D US, LLCTRATON R&DThe TRATON Research & Development (R&D) organization is going through a major transformation with the target to become an even stronger Group by completing the establishment of a worldwide Group R&D organization. We will set ourselves up to be able to fully deliver the time-critical Group R&D roadmap and to fulfil the high expectations to deliver outstanding customer value and drive effectiveness. This enables us to secure competitiveness in our business, in other words win market positions and ensure Group R&D is a strong business partner for TRATON Group and the brands (Scania, MAN, INTERNATIONAL, Volkswagen Truck & Bus).
Position Details:Your tasksIn the role as Domain Head, AI Scaling Hub, you will lead the Operational Excellence agenda for the AI Scaling Hub, working across TRATON Group R&D and in close collaboration with the brands and central functions. Your mission is to help turn AI ambition into practical, scalable, and value-creating ways of working.
This is a role for someone who can create clarity, build trust, and help others move forward. You do not need to be the loudest voice in the room. But you do need to bring sound judgment, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to connect strategy, structure, and execution in a way that works in real life.
In this role, you will:
- Lead and develop the operating model for the AI Scaling Hub so priorities, governance and follow-up are clear and useful.
- Work closely with stakeholders across R&D, the brands and central functions to align direction, remove friction and support progress.
- Help identify where AI can create meaningful value and how it can reshape workloads, priorities, and ways of working in a responsible and sustainable way.
- Establish pragmatic structures for steering, performance follow-up and value tracking without adding unnecessary bureaucracy.
- Contribute to a culture marked by curiosity, accountability, respect, and a genuine willingness to help others succeed.
As our AI Scaling Hub is part of TRATON Group R&D, we work in close collaboration with the brands across the Group. In this role, it is therefore important to combine a Group perspective with understanding of local realities. You will need to hold the bigger picture while staying close to what teams need in order to make progress.
Desired Skills: - Strong experience from operational excellence, transformation, strategy execution, program leadership or business operations in a complex international environment.
- A solid track record of leading cross-functional change and creating clarity in settings with many stakeholders and dependencies.
- Extensive exprience of AI, data, analytics, or digital transformation to work confidently with specialists and connect technical and business perspectives.
- Experience of building or improving operating models, governance, portfolio steering, or performance follow-up.
- Very good communication skills in English and a collaborative, grounded way of leading through others.
If this sounds like you, even if your background does not match every single point, we would genuinely like to hear from you. We know that strong candidates do not always check every box, and we welcome applications from people with different experiences, perspectives, and career paths.
Experience from R&D, advanced engineering, analytics or other innovation-driven environments will be seen as an advantage.
What kind of position/job is this?This is a full-time, permanent position within the TRATON Group R&D Operational Excellence Department.
Where is the job located?The role offers the flexibility to be based in any of the locations where the Group R&D organization operates (Munich, Germany; Södertälje, Sweden; Chicago, USA; Resende or San Bernado, Brazil), depending on the candidate's preference and location.
Who will I be reporting to?You will report functionally to Tony Heard and legally to your local line manager depending on where you are based.
Recruiting ProcessRecruiting process if selected: 60 min Microsoft Teams screening with the hiring team, cross-brand interview process, candidate selection, and offer phase.
Cross-Brand RecruitingBy applying to this position, please be aware that we may share your application (e.g., CV) with relevant stakeholders across TRATON Group and its brands to enable a group-wide recruitment process.
Resume & InterviewApplication and interview language is English. No cover letter needed.
ContactsHiring Manager: Tony Heard
Lead Recruiter: Tess Cochrane
Application PeriodApplications will be accepted until: 10/20/2026
Screening will take place on an ongoing basis during the application period.
Transportation.
We look forward to your application!Minimum Requirements- Bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, business, or related field
- At least 16 years of progressive experience in tech strategy, digital/AI transformation, program management
- 8 years of leadership experience
OR
- Master's degree in computer science, data science, business, or related field
- At least 14 years of progressive experience in tech strategy, digital/AI transformation, program management
- 8 years of leadership experience
OR
- At least 18 years of progressive experience in tech strategy, digital/AI transformation, program management
- 8 years of leadership experience
Additional Requirements- Qualified candidates, excluding current employees, must be legally authorized on an unrestricted basis (US Citizen, Legal Permanent Resident, Refugee or Asylee) to be employed in the United States. We do not anticipate providing employment related work sponsorship for this position (e.g., H-1B status)
