Associate Tech Ops SCM Category Manager

Southwest Airlines Co.; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 81,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fly for free on open seats

401(k) Company match up to 9.3%

Profit-sharing opportunities

Job summary

Southwest Airlines Co. is seeking an Associate Tech Ops Supply Chain Management Category Manager supporting the Boeing Purchasing Team to manage Southwest's relationship with Boeing while overseeing purchase order creation, order administration, and supplier performance.

You'll coordinate material purchases, manage pricing and specification changes, resolve order and invoice issues, and partner with internal Customers and Suppliers to ensure material availability, operational support, and

Qualifications

• Experience in supply chain, finance or accounting with supplier negotiations.
• Ability to manage multiple procurement processes and projects.
• Familiarity with procurement systems and data analysis.
• Understanding of total cost of ownership concepts and pricing changes.

Responsibilities

• Place and manage purchase orders and manage supplier communication and system updates
• Manage changes in pricing, ship dates, and part specifications; coordinate with internal groups
• Track outstanding POs against delivery dates and resolve issues
• Drive cost savings opportunities to improve profitability and total cost of ownership
• Develop relationships with suppliers and internal customers for aligned outcomes
• Advocate SCM processes to negotiate deals for consistent results
• Apply project management principles to meet deadlines
• Provide insights and options to resolve situations with guidance when needed
• Support scorecard efforts to identify process gaps and create improvements
• May perform other duties as directed by Leaders

Skills

Supplier management

Negotiation

Cost reduction

Project management

Financial acumen

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Aviation industry knowledge

Communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

SAP ERP

Maintenix

Aeroxchange

QuickBase

Alteryx

Tableau

Salesforce

Workiva

Job description

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.

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

As an Associate Tech Ops Supply Chain Management Category Manager supporting the Boeing Purchasing Team, you'll manage Southwest's relationship with Boeing while overseeing purchase order creation, order administration, and supplier performance. You'll coordinate material purchases, manage pricing and specification changes, resolve order and invoice issues, and partner with internal Customers and Suppliers to ensure material availability, operational support, and cost-effective outcomes.

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

• Place and manage purchase orders and manage supplier communication and system updates
• Manages changes in pricing, ship dates, and part specifications changes; includes all relevant internal groups with changes and responds appropriately in a timely manner
• Track outstanding POs against scheduled receipt date and takes appropriate action to resolve as necessary
• Drive and deliver cost savings opportunities to improve profitability and achieve the best total cost of ownership
• Demonstrate ability to manage suppliers and develop relationships that strengthen both organizations
• Advocate SCM processes to internal Customers and Suppliers as a means for negotiating deals for consistent and successful outcomes
• Use strong understanding of business requirements to execute the most appropriate agreement
• Provide insight, explanations, and options to resolve situations and/or disputes with guidance in more complex situations
• Support scorecard efforts to identify gaps in processes and effectively work to create solutions to increase efficiency for both Customer and supplier
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee’s Leaders

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Skilled in assessing performance of yourself, other to make improvements or take corrective action
• Must possess the ability to develop a skill set geared towards being able to manage a project or program associated with specific suppliers, chapters, or commodities
• Must possess the desire to increase knowledge of other groups' responsibilities and develop a mind- set that success is shared as a team
• Basic understanding of the business and management principles while adhering to FAA/ Regulatory, Financial and Quality Compliance standards
• Ability to gain a quick understanding of Aviation or Airline processes and principles. This can include technical documentation relevant to the industry
• Skilled in understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making
• Skilled in understanding and applying information to contribute to the organization’s strategic plan
• Skilled in gathering facts, analyzing data, and clarifying information gaps before reaching out to others
• Understanding of financial models and knowledge of total cost of ownership cost models
• Must possess a basic understanding of project management principles and techniques
• Ability to apply project management skills to manage time effectively through organizing work, and seeks guidance, as needed, to resolve issues and/or questions in order to meet deadlines

Education

• Required: High School Diploma or GED

Experience

• Intermediate level experience, fully functioning and broad knowledge in:
  • Supply Chain, Finance, or Accounting
  • Commodity management
  • Participate in small team projects
  • Participate in negotiations with larger / significant suppliers
• Familiarity with various technologies (e.g. SAP ERP, Maintenix, Aeroxchange, QuickBase database management, Alteryx, Tableau, Salesforce, Workiva)

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
• Must meet confidentiality expectations as to confidential, proprietary, and sensitive Company information
• Day shift with the ability to work other shifts as needed with little to short notice in support of strategic activities or critical problem solving.
• Must have flexibility to work extended hours during the week and weekend, including Company holidays, during quarterly close or special projects
• Possible travel domestically and/or internationally 5-10%

Pay & Benefits

Competitive market salary from $81,200 per 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 Retirement Savings Plan, which includes a dollarfor-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.

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Job Posting End Date

10/14/2026