Associate Enterprise SCM Category Manager

Department:

Supply Chain Management

Our Company Promise

We are committed to provide our Employees a stable work environment with equal opportunity for learning and personal growth. Creativity and innovation are encouraged for improving the effectiveness of Southwest Airlines. Above all, Employees will be provided the same concern, respect, and caring attitude within the organization that they are expected to share externally with every Southwest Customer.

Job Description:

As an Associate Enterprise SCM Category Manager, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping strategies that influence cost, service, and supplier performance across the business. You'll work closely with internal stakeholders, analyze spend and market trends, support negotiations that deliver long-term value, and assist in managing supplier relationships and contract execution. This role offers hands-on experience with data-driven decision-making and financial modeling, while providing exposure to the full sourcing lifecycle and collaboration with seasoned Category Managers and external partners.

Additional details

• The culture of Southwest Airlines means we value the camaraderie, collaboration, and innovation that occurs when we come together and interact face-to-face at our vibrant Corporate Campus. Due to the nature of this role, you would be required to work from our Dallas, TX Headquarters facility during business hours.   

• U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the U.S. required and no current or future work authorization sponsorship available.

We’re committed to fair hiring practices and to making employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics. 

Responsibilities

• Serve on cross-functional teams to develop and execute sourcing and procurement strategies for internal customer needs in collaboration with other internal stakeholders

• Support the development of effective supplier negotiation strategies and utilize innovative procurement solutions to maximize value to Southwest

• Partner with primary internal customers to develop category reviews to gauge supplier performance and identify incremental value opportunities

• Manage supplier relationships, risk factors and performance effectively through regular engagement with suppliers and internal customers

• Evaluate total supplier value by aligning business needs with supplier capabilities, leveraging spend and volume of business

• Drive sourcing process through an Electronic Procurement System or other similar methods; provide effective, and timely communication to Suppliers and Team throughout the sourcing process

• Coordinate supplier presentations, demonstrations, or product testing; conduct site visits

• Identify opportunities for cost savings and/or efficiencies in sourcing and work with cross-functional team to recommend alternative opportunities

• Coordinate drafting and execution of contracts and manage administration of contracts and service agreements; ensure supplier is held accountable to contracted KPIs, rebates, reporting, and performance terms

• Work with legal, tax, cybersecurity/data privacy and other internal stakeholders as needed to ensure contracts meet current guidelines and policies

• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee’s Leaders

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of market supply base, competitive landscape, industry trends, key issues, and assess potential business impacts following world events through effective research

• Ability to obtain and disseminate information in any setting, and gain influence

• Ability to identify problems and drive toward resolution; skilled in bringing others together to reconcile differences

• Knowledge of leading negotiations with limited guidance; understands common negotiations tactics and can use them with preparation to help drive agreements in favor of the business

• Ability to develop presentation materials; able to present to leadership with support from others

• Skilled in leading cross-functional teams; successfully demonstrates ability to coach team members and help develop skills to meet organizational goals

• Ability to understands and executes each step in the sourcing methodology to maximize value and service levels for the organization

• Knowledge regarding the difference between the most common procurement contract types and when to use them effective