Sr. Category Manager, Travel

BAE Systems•Falls Church, VA

9d•$134,640 - $228,888

About The Position

The Sr. Category Manager, Travel is responsible for developing, executing, and overseeing the US-based Travel & Meetings Program and Travel Category Procurement strategies. This role ensures alignment with global strategies set by the Global Category Director and serves as the enterprise leader for travel operations, supplier management, policy governance, digital transformation, and program performance. The position engages with stakeholders across Finance, Security, Government Compliance, Insurable Risk, and regional/global travel teams to ensure a best‑in‑class, compliant, efficient, and traveler‑focused program. By integrating rigorous safety protocols, duty of care, and operational excellence, this role directly advances our corporate mission: "We Protect Those Who Protect Us." By ensuring the safety and well-being of our employees while they are deployed to support our customers, this position protects the very people who enable our mission of national security.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, or a related field.
Extensive experience (min 10 years) in corporate travel management and procurement or category management within a large, complex organization.
Proficiency in government travel regulations, specifically the Fly America Act, DCAA/DCMA audit standards, and FAR requirements.

Nice To Haves

Proven track record of managing multi-million dollar budgets and delivering cost savings and cost avoidance targets.
Expertise in leading RFPs and managing high-level supplier relationships (TMCs, Airlines, Hotel chains).
Experience in developing business continuity and crisis management plans in coordination with corporate security.
Proficiency in travel technology (Concur, UATP, etc.) and data analytics for scorecard development.

Responsibilities

Partner with the Global Category Director--Travel to translate global visions into specific US-based Travel & Meetings strategies, align program goals with broader objectives such as cost savings, Environmental, Social, & Governance (ESG) reporting, and employee well-being.
Secure alignment and provide quarterly progress updates to key stakeholders, including Inc Supply Chain Council, Finance, Security, Insurable Risk, and Government Compliance.
Design, update, and enforce US-based corporate travel policies and meetings processes, ensure they reflect industry’s best practices and emerging technologies.
Drive the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven solutions, mobile apps, and online tools; maintain expertise in industry trends (e.g., New Distribution Capability (NDC), remote work mobility, and wellness-focused travel).
Lead the Travel Working Group (TWG), set the strategic direction, manage the action list, and obtain member buy-in.
Execute all managerial responsibilities, including hiring, goal setting, PDRs, and annual salary allocation; provide operational coverage during staff absences.
Own and manage relationships with all travel and meetings suppliers, including the Travel Management Company (TMC) and Travel & Expense (T&E) Card provider, ensure Service Level Agreement (SLA) achievement.
Lead procurement activities, including Request for Proposal (RFP) documentation, supplier business reviews, complex negotiations, and contract execution.
Manage the annual rebate budget, including monthly updates, accruals, and budget planning.
Oversee the Non-Refundable Ticket (NRT) pool to ensure high re-usage percentage.
Drive the achievement of annual cost savings and cost avoidance targets, in coordination with the Vice President, Procurement.
Serve as the designated approver for Travel and Corporate Jet purchase requisitions per the Delegation of Authority (DOA).
Ensure seamless access to booking tools and negotiated rates; leverage "Welcome Home" survey data to reduce traveler friction and design training programs.
Lead support for Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) and Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) Travel Audit requests and ensure strict adherence to the Fly America Act and Department of War (DoW) lowest available fare requirements.
Partner with Security to develop and implement travel risk management and crisis management plans; keep leadership informed of security incidents impacting travelers.
Support Global Mobility (Visas/Tax reporting), the Infrequent Traveler Program, and the Applicant Travel program.
Develop data and scorecard strategies to report category spend, Return on Investment (ROI), and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) (e.g., compliance, satisfaction, carbon emissions) to Senior Leadership and Finance.
Report quarterly travel emissions for the Annual Report and support Deloitte audit requests regarding emissions reporting.
This role is a cornerstone of our commitment to employee safety. By managing the "Duty of Care" and partnering with Security to mitigate traveler risk, the Sr. Category Manager, Travel ensures that our employees—who are essential to protecting our customers—are themselves protected. The focus on "reducing traveler friction" and enhancing "employee well-being" ensures our workforce remains resilient and supported.