Strategic Sourcing Manager, Travel and Fleet

SBM Management Services•Sacramento, CA

About The Position

The Strategic Sourcing Manager owns the operating model for corporate travel and fleet, including policy administration, supplier governance, technology enablement, reporting, compliance controls, budgeting support, and continuous improvement. The role balances cost, service, duty of care, safety, sustainability, and business continuity while maintaining clear escalation and exception-management processes. The manager executes strategic sourcing initiatives based on Procurement priorities, from market analysis and competitive events through negotiations, contracting support, implementation, savings validation, and supplier performance management. The position also carries out management responsibilities, including hiring, directing and evaluating employees, resolving workplace issues, and ensuring employees receive appropriate task and safety training.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, finance, operations, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Relevant experience managing corporate travel, fleet, strategic sourcing, supplier governance, or related enterprise programs.
Strong commercial judgment and understanding of total cost of ownership, savings methodologies, supplier economics, and contract risk.
Ability to analyze large datasets and translate findings into executive recommendations and operational actions.
Working knowledge of travel management, online booking, payment, expense, fleet, telematics, and reporting platforms.
Excellent written, verbal, presentation, negotiation, project-management, and change-management skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, make sound decisions with incomplete information, and operate effectively in a matrixed environment.
High level of discretion when handling traveler, employee, financial, supplier, and company information.
A valid driver's license may be required based on business needs. Employees who drive as part of their duties must maintain an acceptable Motor Vehicle Record and meet company driving eligibility requirements.

Responsibilities

Own and enforce the Global Travel Policy, approvals, and exceptions; monitor compliance and maintain audit-ready records.
Govern travel suppliers, booking tools, and payment providers through performance standards and timely resolution of service issues.
Oversee booking, ticketing, itineraries, disruptions, and traveler communications through approved channels, including executive, complex, group, and meetings-related travel.
Administer travel-platform configurations, profiles, content, controls, and integrations; work with Finance and technology teams to improve travel and expense data.
Source and negotiate travel services, using high-volume markets and recurring demand to build preferred programs and reduce total cost.
Report spend, adoption, advance purchase, unused tickets, supplier share, exceptions, and savings to drive program improvements.
Translate stakeholder needs into cost-effective travel solutions, including demand forecasts for transitions, mobilizations, acquisitions, and major events.
Optimize booking channels and airfare controls around lowest logical cost, service, policy, and traveler risk; compare costs for exceptions and premium services.
Audit charges, commissions, credits, refunds, unused tickets, and negotiated rates; recover value and partner with Finance and card owners to reconcile payments and reinforce controls.
Own fleet policy, governance, operating standards, and exceptions; partner with EHS, Legal, HR, Finance, and Operations on driver eligibility, incidents, insurance, assignments, and compliance.
Manage suppliers across the vehicle lifecycle, including leasing, acquisition, disposal, maintenance, fuel, telematics, rentals, roadside support, and registration.
Maintain accurate fleet data and report utilization, total cost of ownership, replacement needs, maintenance compliance, fuel performance, downtime, service levels, risk, exceptions, and improvement actions.
Develop vehicle standards and sourcing strategies that balance safety, operational needs, availability, sustainability, and cost.
Lead assigned sourcing projects from intake through implementation, including requirements definition, market analysis, RFI/RFP/RFQ execution, evaluation, negotiation, award recommendation, contracting support, and transition.
Build fact-based business cases quantifying baseline, savings, cost avoidance, implementation cost, risk, and operational impact.
Partner with Legal and stakeholders to define commercial terms, service levels, pricing controls, audit rights, data requirements, insurance, security, and termination protections.
Establish supplier governance routines, scorecards, quarterly business reviews, corrective-action plans, and escalation protocols.
Track realized savings and benefits with Finance and business owners; identify leakage and corrective actions.
Maintain sourcing, contract, supplier, and decision documentation in approved systems and in accordance with procurement standards.
Interview and hire employees; plan, assign, and direct work; conduct performance evaluations; reward and discipline employees; address complaints and resolve problems.
Ensure employees are properly trained on tasks and safety requirements.