The posting
Department:
Supply Chain Management
Our Company Promise
We are committed to provide our Employees a stable work environment with equal opportunity for learning and personal growth. Creativity and innovation are encouraged for improving the effectiveness of Southwest Airlines. Above all, Employees will be provided the same concern, respect, and caring attitude within the organization that they are expected to share externally with every Southwest Customer.
Job Description:
Behind every Southwest operation is a network of suppliers, services, and partnerships that help keep our business moving. As an Enterprise SCM Category Manager, you’ll lead strategic sourcing, negotiation, contracting, and supplier management across critical areas of the business, helping Southwest maximize the value of our spend. You’ll partner with internal Customers and cross-functional Teams to develop category strategies, identify savings and long-term value opportunities, strengthen supplier relationships, and make informed decisions that balance cost, service, risk, and operational needs. We have two opportunities available for this role, each supporting important and unique needs:
- Onboard Customer Experience: Support sourcing and supplier strategies for products and services that shape the onboard Customer experience, including food and beverage, onboard service items, provisioning and distribution services, and Crew meals.
- Ground Support Equipment: Support sourcing and supplier strategies for the equipment, parts, and services that maintain automotive, ramp, provisioning, and deicing equipment that help keep Southwest’s airport operations moving.
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
- Leads end-to-end sourcing, supplier, contracting, and negotiation activities across assigned categories and portfolios with moderate-to-high business impact, managing multiple priorities while delivering business value and operational outcomes.
- Leads strategic sourcing initiatives, independently managing RFx processes, supplier engagement, negotiations, and stakeholder alignment. Develops and executes category and sourcing strategies that optimize total cost, pricing, lead times, supply continuity, and acquisition outcomes.
- Leads negotiation strategy development and execution, aligning stakeholders and suppliers to achieve optimal commercial, operational, and business outcomes.
- Independently drafts, negotiates, and executes contracts while identifying and mitigating contractual risks in partnership with Legal and business stakeholders.
- Leads strategic supplier relationship management across assigned categories by driving performance, accountability, continuous improvement, innovation, and long-term value creation.
- Utilizes data-driven analysis and market intelligence to evaluate suppliers, commercial proposals, and category performance, generating actionable insights that support business decisions and sourcing strategies.
- Drives category value through strategic sourcing, market analysis, supplier management, and commercial negotiation, delivering cost savings, cost avoidance, service improvements, and other measurable business outcomes.
- Leads cross-functional sourcing and supplier initiatives by aligning stakeholders and business partners to enterprise objectives and facilitating collaboration across multiple functional areas.
- Owns contract governance activities and drives supplier compliance, accountability, and value realization across assigned categories.
- Develops and executes risk mitigation strategies while monitoring supplier performance, market conditions, competitive benchmarks, and industry trends to protect and enhance category outcomes.
- Influences stakeholders and business leaders to drive alignment, resolve competing priorities, and advance category, supplier, and sourcing strategies.
- Mentors and supports the development of less experienced team members through coaching, knowledge sharing, and guidance.
- May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Thorough knowledge of market supply dynamics, supplier landscapes, industry trends, competitive factors, and category economics; able to assess business impacts and apply market intelligence to sourcing and supplier strategies.
- Skilled at building relationships, gaining alignment, and influencing stakeholders across multiple functions, business units, suppliers, and levels of leadership.
- Ability to identify complex business, supplier, commercial, and contractual issues and independently develop effective solutions.
- Skilled in leading sourcing strategies, negotiations, and supplier engagements that balance cost, service, quality, risk, and operational objectives.
- Ability to develop and present business cases, sourcing recommendations, and category strategies to management and senior stakeholders.
- Skilled in leading cross-functional teams and initiatives, driving alignment and execution across multiple stakeholder groups.
- Thorough understanding of category management methodologies, sourcing processes, supplier management practices, and procurement governance requirements.
- Skilled in procurement contracting, commercial negotiations, and risk management, with the ability to independently structure and execute contractual agreements.
- Skilled in financial analysis, total cost of ownership modeling, business case development, supplier evaluation, and commercial decision support.
- Ability to leverage market intelligence, supplier insights, and data-driven analysis to develop category strategies and improve business outcomes.
- Ability to balance competing priorities, manage multiple initiatives, and drive results in dynamic business environments.
- Ability to mentor and support the development of less experienced team members through coaching, knowledge sharing, and guidance.
Education
- Required: High School Diploma or GED
Experience
- Required: Advanced-level experience, seasoned and specialized 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 Leading negotiations with larger / significant suppliers
- Preferred: Experience developing category strategies across snacks, beverages, alcohol, and other onboard consumables
- Preferred: Experience developing and executing category strategies for ground support equipment (GSE), parts, and services across automotive, ramp, provisioning, and deicing vehicles supporting operations.
- Preferred: Experience with product assortment and portfolio optimization
- Preferred: Experience balancing Customer desirability, operational feasibility, cost, supply continuity, and strategic fit
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 $98,650 per year to $109,600 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 Retirement Savings Plan, which includes a dollar-for-dollar 401(k) Company match contribution of up to 9.3% of your eligible earnings**
- Potential for annual profit-sharing contribution in the Southwest Retirement Savings Plan—when Southwest profits, you profit***
- Competitive health insurance for you and your eligible dependents
- Southwest offers health plan coverage options that start from the very first day of employment. You'll have 30 days to select and enroll in your health plan, and coverage will be retroactively available to your first day of employment.
- Explore more Benefits you’ll love: https://careers.southwestair.com/benefits
*Pay amount doesn’t guarantee employment for any particular period.
**401(k) Company match contributions are subject to the plan’s vesting schedule. Match contributions may vary based on the position.
***Profit-sharing contributions are subject to the Retirement Savings Plan vesting schedule and are made at the discretion of the Company.
Southwest Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please print/save this job description because it won't be available after you apply.
