Associate Enterprise SCM Category Manager

As an Associate Enterprise SCM Category Manager, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping strategies that influence cost, service, and supplier performance across the business. You'll work closely with internal stakeholders, analyze spend and market trends, support negotiations that deliver long-term value, and assist in managing supplier relationships and contract execution. This role offers hands-on experience with data-driven decision-making and financial modeling, while providing exposure to the full sourcing lifecycle and collaboration with seasoned Category Managers and external partners.

Additional details

• The culture of Southwest Airlines means we value the camaraderie, collaboration, and innovation that occurs when we come together and interact face-to-face at our vibrant Corporate Campus. Due to the nature of this role, you would be required to work from our Dallas, TX Headquarters facility during business hours.

• U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the U.S. required and no current or future work authorization sponsorship available.

We're committed to fair hiring practices and to making employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics.

Responsibilities

• Serve on cross-functional teams to develop and execute sourcing and procurement strategies for internal customer needs in collaboration with other internal stakeholders

• Support the development of effective supplier negotiation strategies and utilize innovative procurement solutions to maximize value to Southwest

• Partner with primary internal customers to develop category reviews to gauge supplier performance and identify incremental value opportunities

• Manage supplier relationships, risk factors and performance effectively through regular engagement with suppliers and internal customers

• Evaluate total supplier value by aligning business needs with supplier capabilities, leveraging spend and volume of business

• Drive sourcing process through an Electronic Procurement System or other similar methods; provide effective, and timely communication to Suppliers and Team throughout the sourcing process

• Coordinate supplier presentations, demonstrations, or product testing; conduct site visits

• Identify opportunities for cost savings and/or efficiencies in sourcing and work with cross-functional team to recommend alternative opportunities

• Coordinate drafting and execution of contracts and manage administration of contracts and service agreements; ensure supplier is held accountable to contracted KPIs, rebates, reporting, and performance terms

• Work with legal, tax, cybersecurity/data privacy and other internal stakeholders as needed to ensure contracts meet current guidelines and policies

• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of market supply base, competitive landscape, industry trends, key issues, and assess potential business impacts following world events through effective research

• Ability to obtain and disseminate information in any setting, and gain influence

• Ability to identify problems and drive toward resolution; skilled in bringing others together to reconcile differences

• Knowledge of leading negotiations with limited guidance; understands common negotiations tactics and can use them with preparation to help drive agreements in favor of the business

• Ability to develop presentation materials; able to present to leadership with support from others

• Skilled in leading cross-functional teams; successfully demonstrates ability to coach team members and help develop skills to meet organizational goals

• Ability to understands and executes each step in the sourcing methodology to maximize value and service levels for the organization

• Knowledge regarding the difference between the most common procurement contract types and when to use them effectively; knowledge of contract negotiation lifecycle

• Skilled with financial models; able to perform should-cost scenarios and cost-benefit analysis techniques; familiar with using an Electronic Procurement System to facilitate RFx process

• Ability to make edits to existing contracts; can rewrite sections of the contract based on results of negotiations with suppliers; may require limited support

Education

• Required: High School Diploma or GED

Experience

• Intermediate-level experience, fully functioning broad knowledge in:

  • Economic/financial analysis, commodity management, and cross-functional team leadership

  • Leading small team projects or some larger interdepartmental projects with some senior Stakeholders

  • Preferred: Knowledge/Experience with Coupa or Ironclad

Licensing/Certification

• N/A

Physical Abilities

• Ability to perform work duties from limited space work station/desk/office area for extended periods of time

• Ability to communicate and interact with others in the English language to meet the demands of the job

• Ability to use a computer and other office productivity tools with sufficient speed and accuracy to meet the demands of the job

Other Qualifications

• Must maintain a well-groomed appearance per Company appearance standards as described in established guidelines

• Must be a U.S. citizen or have authorization to work in the United States as defined by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986

• Must be at least 18 years of age

• Must be able to comply with Company attendance standards as described in established guidelines

Pay & Benefits

• Competitive market salary from$81,200per year to$90,200 per year* depending on qualifications and experience. For eligible Leadership and individual contributor roles, additional bonus opportunities are available and awarded at the discretion of the company.

Benefits you'll love

• Fly for free, as a privilege, on any open seat on all Southwest flights (your eligible dependents too)

• Southwest will help fund your 401(k) retirement savings with Company contributions up to 9.3% of your eligible earnings**

• Potential for annual ProfitSharing contribution in the Southwest Retirement Savings Plan- when Southwest profits, you profit***

• Competitive health insurance for you and your eligible dependents (including pets)

• Southwest offers health plan coverage options that start from the very first day of employment. You will have 30 days to select and enroll in your health plan with coverage retroactively available to your first day of employment.

• Explore more Benefits you'll love: https://careers.southwestair.com/benefits

*Pay amount does not guarantee employment for any particular period of time.

**401(k) match contributions are subject to Retirement Savings Plan vesting schedule and applicable IRS limits

***ProfitSharing contributions are subject to Retirement Savings Plan vesting

schedule and are made at the discretion of the Company.