Senior Manager - Catering Operations & Logistics

United Airlines•Newark, NJ

3d•$127,870 - $166,492

About The Position

Achieving our goals starts with supporting yours. Grow your career, access top-tier health and wellness benefits, build lasting connections with your team and our customers, and travel the world using our extensive route network. Come join us to create what’s next. Let’s define tomorrow, together. Why Inflight Services? Our customers choose United because of our dedication to safety and passion for service. United's Inflight Services team is made up of diverse, driven individuals working together to Connect People and Unite the World. From operational leadership and crew planning to safety and service procedures, our Inflight Services team provides the innovative approaches, tools, training and guidance needed for our flight attendants to deliver the best possible customer experience, and aid in our mission to become the best airline in the history of aviation. As the Sr. Manager, Global Catering Operations & Logistics, the role will promote safety and compliance in all United does. Whether on the ramp, in food production, or away from work, keeping each other safe is top of mind. This role will ensure United remain in compliance with regulations, shape United’s catering policies and procedures, lead investigations, and promote an effective safety culture. This role will demonstrate our commitment to partnership. This role leads our catering vendor management team and provides operational oversight of catering network. This role will engage with and support our headquarters colleagues as well as those in our airports and aboard our aircraft and work to elevate the quality and performance of our operation. United are good stewards of our resources. This role helps facilitate key strategy decisions to ensure best use of materials, resources, talent, and time. United is focused and aligned on objectives. This role support establishment of performance goals and is a key contributor to United’s vendor SLA programs, as well as the understanding and awareness of performance metrics and corrective action plans.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or 4 years of relevant work experience
Business, Operations, Strategy, Engineering or Other related fields
Minimum 4+ years’ experience in operational, vendor management or related leadership role
Vendor management
Project management
Ability to work flexible schedule to cover operationally critical days of week and shifts
Advanced skills in Microsoft Office suite
Must possess exceptional planning and organizational skills, along with strong written and oral communication skills
Ability to document and communicate opportunities and action plans in a clear, precise, and actionable manner
Ability to lead stakeholders through complex planning and implementation of initiatives
Proven track record to work independently, in controlled and uncontrolled operation environments, and in a team environment
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship
Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification
Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position

Nice To Haves

Master's degree or 6 years of relevant work experience
8+ years’ experience in operation, vendor management or related leadership role
Airport operation, Inflight or catering operations
People leader
Lean / Six Sigma
Project Management
HACCP, PCQI or equivalent food safety certificates

Responsibilities

Accountable for overall execution compliance and performance of caterer network through management of team members directly responsible for vendor and performance management at catering locations globally including ensuring all catering partners adhere to all applicable regulatory and company policy requirements
Achievement of safety, reliability, financial, and quality goals
Defines and sets strategy and parameters to drive catering performance enhancements
Provides coaching and direction to team to drive performance improvements
Leverages performance data and other information to manage performance and develop plans for performance improvement
Coordinates team efforts and projects to ensure alignment is maintained to drive results as needed, refocus, or reallocate resources as needed to ensure objectives are being met
Leverage data to compile and present regular performance and status updates to leaders, including those at the executive level
Provides leadership and direction to operations team to ensure accurate reporting, and responsible use of United assets, equipment, and other materials by catering partners though.
Ensuring system-wide adoption of a robust performance system with goals and measures focused on timely and accurate inventory reporting, “days of stock on hand”, stock outs, and expedited orders, to ensure efficient use of distribution resources, warehouse space and materials
Supporting the ongoing establishment of processes and controls that ensure United’s rotable equipment is handled in a way that delivers efficiency and a reliable supply
Overseeing irregular operations, such as the execution and governance of product substitutions, strategy for rebalancing or repacking of equipment and inventory across the network, etc.
Supports oversight of system distribution partners, such as MLCO, AMI, etc., operations upstream of caterer location portfolio
Responsible for developing and maintaining lines of communication and partnership with our menu design and development team as well as other operating groups including but not limited to Airport Operations and Inflight
Provides operational perspective in discussions and projects to ensure robust planning and full awareness of capabilities and needs
Leads and / or participates in projects and initiatives to improve partnership and interactions between catering partners and other operating groups
Facilitates communication with partnering groups on behalf of team
Troubleshoots issues involving other teams to improve overall performance
Provide training and growth opportunities to team through training projects and other developmental opportunities
Understand and support the career objectives of team members, supporting the development of individuals “brand” and network. Support engagement in BRG’s, cross-functional teams and special projects that support growth and development.
Facilitates a culture of recognition and camaraderie among our team and our vendor partners, including oversight of catering partner quarterly and annual recognition events