Enterprise SCM Category Manager

Southwest Airlines • Dallas, TX

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Enterprise SCM Category Manager leads strategic sourcing, negotiation, contracting, and supplier management across assigned categories and portfolios with moderate-to-high business impact. The role partners with internal Customers and cross-functional Teams to develop category strategies, identify savings and long-term value opportunities, strengthen supplier relationships, and balance cost, service, risk, and operational needs. Two opportunities are available: one supporting onboard Customer experience categories—including food and beverage, onboard service items, provisioning and distribution services, and Crew meals—and another supporting ground support equipment, parts, and services used to maintain automotive, ramp, provisioning, and deicing equipment.

The position is based at Southwest Airlines’ Dallas, Texas Headquarters and requires working there during business hours. The manager uses market intelligence and data-driven analysis to guide sourcing and supplier decisions, leads contract governance and risk mitigation, and influences stakeholders and business leaders. The role also mentors less experienced team members and may perform other job duties as directed by the Employee’s Leaders.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Advanced-level experience and seasoned, specialized knowledge in economic/financial analysis, commodity management, and cross-functional team leadership.
• Experience leading small Team projects or some larger interdepartmental projects involving some senior Stakeholders.
• Experience leading negotiations with larger or significant suppliers.
• Thorough knowledge of market supply dynamics, supplier landscapes, industry trends, competitive factors, and category economics, with the ability to assess business impacts and apply market intelligence to sourcing and supplier strategies.
• Ability to build relationships, gain alignment, and influence stakeholders across functions, business units, suppliers, and leadership levels.
• Ability to identify complex business, supplier, commercial, and contractual issues and independently develop effective solutions.
• Skill in leading sourcing strategies, negotiations, and supplier engagements that balance cost, service, quality, risk, and operational objectives.
• Ability to develop and present business cases, sourcing recommendations, and category strategies to management and senior stakeholders.
• Skill in leading cross-functional teams and initiatives and driving alignment and execution across stakeholder groups.
• Thorough understanding of category management methodologies, sourcing processes, supplier management practices, and procurement governance requirements.
• Skill in procurement contracting, commercial negotiations, and risk management, including independently structuring and executing contractual agreements.
• Skill in financial analysis, total cost of ownership modeling, business case development, supplier evaluation, and commercial decision support.
• Ability to use market intelligence, supplier insights, and data-driven analysis to develop category strategies and improve business outcomes.
• Ability to balance competing priorities, manage multiple initiatives, and drive results in dynamic business environments.
• Ability to mentor and support less experienced team members through coaching, knowledge sharing, and guidance.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the United States; work authorization sponsorship is not available.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must comply with Company attendance standards and appearance guidelines.
• Ability to work from a limited-space workstation, desk, or office area for extended periods.
• Ability to communicate and interact with others in English to meet job demands.
• Ability to use a computer and other office productivity tools with sufficient speed and accuracy.

Nice To Haves

• Experience developing category strategies across snacks, beverages, alcohol, and other onboard consumables.
• Experience developing and executing category strategies for ground support equipment (GSE), parts, and services across automotive, ramp, provisioning, and deicing vehicles supporting operations.
• Experience with product assortment and portfolio optimization.
• Experience balancing Customer desirability, operational feasibility, cost, supply continuity, and strategic fit.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end sourcing, supplier, contracting, and negotiation activities across assigned categories and portfolios, managing multiple priorities and delivering business value and operational outcomes.
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives, independently managing RFx processes, supplier engagement, negotiations, and stakeholder alignment.
• Develop and execute category and sourcing strategies that optimize total cost, pricing, lead times, supply continuity, and acquisition outcomes.
• Develop and execute negotiation strategies, aligning stakeholders and suppliers to achieve commercial, operational, and business outcomes.
• Draft, negotiate, and execute contracts independently, identifying and mitigating contractual risks with Legal and business stakeholders.
• Lead strategic supplier relationship management, driving supplier performance, accountability, continuous improvement, innovation, and long-term value creation.
• Use data-driven analysis and market intelligence to evaluate suppliers, commercial proposals, and category performance and provide actionable insights.
• Deliver measurable category value through strategic sourcing, market analysis, supplier management, and commercial negotiation, including cost savings, cost avoidance, and service improvements.
• Lead cross-functional sourcing and supplier initiatives, aligning stakeholders and business partners with enterprise objectives and facilitating collaboration across functions.
• Own contract governance activities and drive supplier compliance, accountability, and value realization.
• Develop and execute risk mitigation strategies while monitoring supplier performance, market conditions, competitive benchmarks, and industry trends.
• Influence stakeholders and business leaders to establish alignment, resolve competing priorities, and advance category, supplier, and sourcing strategies.
• Mentor and support less experienced team members through coaching, knowledge sharing, and guidance.
• Perform other job duties as directed by Employee’s Leaders.

Benefits

• Free travel, as a privilege, on open seats on Southwest flights for the Employee and eligible dependents.
• Retirement Savings Plan with a dollar-for-dollar 401(k) Company match contribution of up to 9.3% of eligible earnings, subject to plan terms and vesting schedule.
• Potential annual profit-sharing contribution to the Southwest Retirement Savings Plan, at the Company’s discretion and subject to plan terms and vesting schedule.
• Competitive health insurance for the Employee and eligible dependents, with coverage options starting from the first day of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED