Senior Vendor Performance Management Specialist

Alaska Airlines • Honolulu, HI

7h • $88,350 - $132,550

About The Position

The Senior Specialist Vendor Performance Management (VPM) is a subject matter expert in leading strategic supplier relationships and performance management at Alaska Airlines (AS). As an individual contributor, this role exercises considerable judgment to independently perform spend and operational performance analysis, facilitate performance reviews, develop storytelling and deliver briefings to leadership, build and maintain strong relationships with vendors and lessors to meet corporate objectives and improve performance.

Requirements

• 4 years of experience in vendor relationship management including quantitative analysis, continuous improvement, and project management experience; or related area.
• Bachelor’s degree or an additional two years of relevant training/experience in lieu of this degree.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation and communication (e.g., verbal, written, and listening) skills.
• Detailed oriented and highly organized, with ability to multi-task and work independently with limited guidance in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum age of 18.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred experience in strategic sourcing, procurement and/or material management at a major airline
• Preferred experience in category management including developing category strategies to present to executive stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day vendor performance for assigned PBH, Tier 1, and select Tier 2 suppliers, including monitoring performance against contractual commitments, identifying issues, and driving timely follow-up and resolution with appropriate guidance from VPM leadership.
• Serve as the primary working-level point of contact for assigned vendors, maintaining regular communication, coordinating information flow, and ensuring issues are clearly documented, tracked, and escalated as needed.
• Identifies performance trends, risks, and opportunities by analyzing vendor data, utilization reports, and operational inputs, and proactively raise findings and recommendations to leadership.
• Lead working-level vendor interactions, including preparation for meetings, coordination of agendas, follow-ups, and ownership of action item tracking to completion.
• Partner with internal stakeholders (Supply Chain Management, Maintenance & Engineering, Legal, FP&A, Operations, etc.) to coordinate resolution of vendor performance and commercial issues, ensuring alignment and timely execution.
• Facilitate leadership-level vendor engagements and QBRs by owning preparation of performance materials, scorecard inputs, and summaries, and by providing subject-matter input during discussions as appropriate.
• Investigate vendor performance issues (e.g., service level gaps, quality concerns, billing discrepancies) and support resolution by compiling data, validating facts, and proposing recommended paths forward.
• Validate, reconcile, and manage monthly utilization reports, invoices, credits, and claims related to PBH contracts and maintenance reserves, taking ownership of accuracy and timely escalation of discrepancies.
• Track and manage vendor credits, escalation calculations, KPIs, and SLAs, ensuring visibility, documentation, and alignment with contractual terms.
• Contribute to risk management and continuity planning by monitoring vendor performance, flagging emerging risks, and supporting mitigation actions.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of VPM tools, templates, and processes, applying lessons learned to improve efficiency, consistency, and vendor outcomes.

Benefits

• Free stand-by travel privileges on Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines & Horizon Air
• Comprehensive well-being programs including medical, dental and vision benefits
• Generous 401k match program
• Quarterly and annual bonus plans
• Generous holiday and paid time off

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level