IT Category Manager/Sr Category Manager, Procurement

IntroAre you ready to explore a world of possibilities, both at work and during your time off? Join our American Airlines family, and you'll travel the world, grow your expertise and become the best version of you. As you embark on a new journey, you'll tackle challenges with flexibility and grace, learning new skills and advancing your career while having the time of your life. Feel free to enrich both your personal and work life and hop on board!Why you'll love this jobThis job is a member of the Technology Procurement team within the Finance Division, reporting to the Manager, Strategic Sourcing, Technology Procurement.Responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive strategic programs which meet the needs of the internal stakeholders while addressing pricing, acquisition, total cost, lead-time and supply, as well as managing contracts and suppliers.What you'll doManage technology spend categories such as software, SaaS, hardware, telecom, networking, infrastructure, cloud, labor, and managed services suppliers.Represents the company in business transactions with both internal and external organizationsCreates and manages strategies, negotiations, RFPs, and contracts Creates, negotiates, implements and manages long term contracts while effectively developing and promoting strategic partnerships with suppliersWorks closely with internal American Airlines customers and stakeholders to understand their business needs, objectives, product/service requirements and the broader operational processesEffectively communicates with appropriate management levels both internally and externallyIdentifies opportunities for improvement and makes constructive suggestions for changeManage the full supplier lifecycle, including sourcing, procurement, negotiations, contract management, and supplier performance evaluation.Develop, implement, and track comprehensive category strategies grounded in deep market analysis and aligned with company and stakeholder priorities; deliver measurable year-over-year cost reductions and working capital improvements.Conduct supplier spend and consumption analytics in partnership with Finance to identify sourcing optimization opportunities, including contract consolidation and restructuring.Research and interpret the technology marketplace to understand supplier and market characteristics, identify sourcing trends, and uncover new opportunities for value creation.Conduct supplier due diligence using scorecards, annual reviews, reporting metrics, dashboards, and financial analysis to ensure robust evaluation and effective risk management. Lead Quarterly Business Reviews focused on SLAs to drive supplier accountability, proactively identify improvement opportunities, and monitor progress throughout the contractual period.Manage supplier performance by addressing conflict resolution, escalation, and resolution procedures promptly and effectively, ensuring issues are resolved and continuous improvement is maintained.Partner with Legal and Sourcing/Procurement teams throughout the supplier lifecycle to ensure robust contract operations and governance.Build strong partnerships and engagement with both existing and new strategic suppliers to enable high-quality, efficient support for internal stakeholders and business units.Champion continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality, efficiency, and cost savings across all sourcing activities.All you'll need for successMinimum Qualifications- Education & Prior Job ExperienceBachelor's degree in relevant field 3 years related work experience in Supply Chain, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Computer Science, Information Systems Management, or another related fieldPreferred Qualifications- Education & Prior Job ExperienceDegree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Business Administration, Business Management, Finance, Accounting, or another related field5+ years related work experience in Supply Chain, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Computer Science, Information Systems Management, or another related fieldKnowledge of Source to Pay systemsStrong project management skillsProcess Mapping abilitiesSupplier Risk AnalysisVendor Relationship ManagementSkills, Licenses & CertificationsSkilled in Microsoft Office (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint)A potential team leader with strong communication skillsUnderstanding of supply chain concepts, with work experience applying those conceptsNegotiating and influencing skillsSelf-directed and resourceful with the ability to handle multiple, simultaneous tasks with exhibited follow through and initiativeBusiness understanding, particularly in project management, early supplier involvement, total cost management and financial analysisUnderstanding and use of technical tools for analysis, problem solving, forecasting and quality improvementPrevious experience with Source to Pay systemsProficient in ExcelHigh ethical standardWhat you'll getFeel free to take advantage of all that American Airlines has to offer: Travel Perks: Ready to explore the world? You, your family and your friends can reach 365 destinations on more than 6,800 daily flights across our global network.Health Benefits: On day one, you'll have access to your health, dental, prescription and vision benefits to help you stay well. And that's just the start, we also offer virtual doctor visits, flexible spending accounts and more. Wellness Programs: We want you to be the best version of yourself – that's why our wellness programs provide you with all the right tools, resources and support you need.401(k) Program: Available upon hire and, depending on the workgroup, employer contributions to your 401(k) program are available after one year.Additional Benefits: Other great benefits include our Employee Assistance Program, pet insurance and discounts on hotels, cars, cruises and moreFeel free to be yourself at AmericanFrom the team members we hire to the customers we serve, inclusion and diversity are the foundation of the dynamic workforce at American Airlines. Our 20+ Employee Business Resource Groups are focused on connecting our team members to our customers, suppliers, communities and shareholders, helping team members reach their full potential and creating an inclusive work environment to meet and exceed the needs of our diverse world.Are you ready to feel a tremendous sense of pride and satisfaction as you do your part to keep the largest airline in the world running smoothly as we care for people on life's journey? Feel free to be yourself at American.