585C - 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:

Job Summary

Southwest firmly believes that our People are our greatest asset, and Leaders within the Company support our People by ensuring all have equal opportunity for learning and personal growth. The Enterprise Supply Chain Management (SCM) Category Manager is responsible for delivering the overall best value to Southwest, including cost, lead time, service level, and quality of third party spend by leveraging demand, analytics, and the competitive marketplace as part of a comprehensive procurement and development strategy for assigned commodities or services. This role will interact with the operational areas of our business such as Ground Operations and Cargo, however, a variety of other groups may also be engaged depending on Team resources and business needs. The Enterprise SCM Category Manager has strong Leadership skills and looks forward to being part of meaningful and impactful initiatives and driving the future of Southwest.    

 

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.   

 

Southwest Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We continue to look for opportunities to reflect the communities we serve, and welcome applicants with diverse thoughts, backgrounds, and experiences.  

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional teams to develop and execute sourcing and procurement strategies for internal customer needs in collaboration with other internal stakeholders
• Assess and define business needs; develop 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 works 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
• Coach, mentor, train and develop less experienced team members
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee’s Leaders

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge and understanding of market supply base, competitive landscape, industry trends, key issues, and assess potential business impacts following world events through effective research
• Skilled in leading negotiations with limited guidance; understands common negotiations tactics and can use them with preparation to help drive agreements in favor of the business
• Skilled in leading cross-functional teams; builds con