Travel Procurement Category Specialist

AON • Chicago, IL

216d • $65,000 - $70,000

About The Position

As part of Global Spend Management (GSM), the Travel Procurement Category Specialist will ensure alignment with Aon's global procurement objectives, maintain supplier relationships, optimize spend, and drive innovation to ensure the success of travel services with emphasis on the Americas, collaborating with the global travel team and cross-functional categories. This position will manage regional relationships and serve as the subject matter expert for travel-related programs. Success involves the strategic orchestration of a complex supplier ecosystem to deliver optimal results for Aon and its colleague travel experience. Aon is in the business of better decisions. At Aon, we shape decisions for the better to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. As an organization, we are united through trust as one inclusive team and we are passionate about helping our colleagues and clients succeed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and ideally at least a year of procurement or related travel sourcing experience.
• Analytical, quantitative and presentation skills with a proven ability to gather and synthesize complex data, identify meaningful trends, and translate insights into actions.
• Proficiency with data analysis and communication tools (e.g. Excel, PowerPoint) is essential.
• Prior travel operations, expense reporting, corporate card, or online booking tool support experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and leadership skills in a cross-functional, cross-cultural and fast-paced environment.
• Proficient in core procurement areas of focus (e.g., Category Management, Business Engagement and Supplier Management).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement data-driven travel category strategies that will result in increased traveler satisfaction, cost savings, policy compliance, and process efficiencies.
• Knowledge of current trends and emerging global travel industry's business ecosystem, operations, technology, and service delivery platforms (i.e., online booking tools, data, consolidation partners, NDC, etc.).
• Manage regional supplier relationships with travel partners, such as agencies, airlines, hotels, and car service companies.
• Act as point of escalation for travel champions, bookers when required providing responsiveness to the business in addressing queries.
• Support in the TMC relationship and work closely with the global team to ensure that the commercial value is realized and SLA's tracked for the Americas.
• Lead traveler engagement and forums promoting policy compliance.
• Assist in monitoring compliance and development of new policies and procedures.
• Independently apply procurement or subject matter expertise to determine methods and procedures on assignments, ability to think creatively and adapt approach when necessary, including gaining acceptance on alternatives.
• Contribute to our global category strategies and work across multiple category teams and link opportunities across regions and categories when appropriate.

Benefits

• 401(k) savings plan with employer contributions
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Consideration for long-term incentive awards at Aon's discretion
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Various types of leaves of absence
• Paid time off, including 12 paid holidays throughout the calendar year
• 15 days of paid vacation per year
• Paid sick leave as provided under state and local paid sick leave laws
• Short-term disability and optional long-term disability
• Health savings account
• Health care and dependent care reimbursement accounts
• Employee and dependent life insurance and supplemental life and AD&D insurance
• Optional personal insurance policies
• Adoption assistance
• Tuition assistance
• Commuter benefits
• Employee assistance program that includes free counseling sessions

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree