Global Procurement - Strategic Sourcing Manager (Onboard) - Hybrid
About The Position
The Global Procurement: Onboard Services organization at United Airlines drives the sourcing and relationship management of premium catering and lounge service vendors, balancing rigorous cost discipline with our commitment to world-class food quality, exceptional guest experience, operational excellence, and kitchen efficiency. The Strategic Sourcing Manager will lead strategic procurement initiatives across the organization, advancing our competitive positioning through cost optimization while safeguarding food safety standards, ensuring product consistency, and elevating catering partner performance. This role is critical to our mission, ensuring success of internal Financial Controls, Menu Planning, Food Safety, and Corporate Logistics to architect implementation strategies that integrate financial rigor, guest satisfaction, and operational reliability into every sourcing decision.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree
- 2+ years of experience in Procurement, Sourcing, Supply Chain, Analytics, and/or Finance
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
- Ability to partner
- Extensive planning and project management proficiency
- Deep contracts and category knowledge; solid understanding of supplier economics
- Strong internal and external negotiation and influencing skills; demonstrated ability to make tough decisions
- Ability to build strong and effective working relationships with internal business partners and suppliers
- 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
- Hospitality, Business, Supply Chain, Finance
- CPM (Certified Purchasing Manager)
- Successful, multi-year track record in Procurement
- Knowledge of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) concepts and strategic procurement process
- Experience with Coupa or other Procurement/Spend Management platforms
- Ability to act as a change agent who seeks out and advocates for new and innovative solutions to meet business needs
Responsibilities
- Support execution of category plans and procurement strategies for designated categories
- Execute and deliver across annual savings targets
- Maintain category expertise (suppliers, rates, etc.) and contribute to supplier selection and benchmarks/bids when appropriate
- Develop knowledge and expertise in a spend category as needed
- Proactively maintain knowledge of diverse suppliers and offer options as appropriate
- Lead Continuous Improvement initiatives within specific categories
- Supports supplier relationships, monitor contract compliance across all contracts, and actively manages procurement risk
- Maintain and develop relationships with stakeholders including Division Leads, Operational Field Team, Legal, IT Security to support department stakeholder
- Create and manage Request for Information (RFI), Request for Quote (RFQ), and Request for Proposal (RFP) documents to solicit bids and evaluate suppliers
- Leverage Coupa knowledge to streamline purchasing, track orders, and manage supplier relationships
- Utilize criteria such as cost, quality, delivery, and capacity to select the best suppliers
Benefits
- medical
- dental
- vision
- life
- accident & disability
- parental leave
- employee assistance program
- commuter
- paid holidays
- paid time off
- 401(k)
- flight privileges
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
