Category Manager, Travel

CoreTrust Purchasing Group; Nashville (TN); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

Free individual employee medical

Dental and vision coverage

401(k) match up to 6%

Disability coverage

Employee Assistance Program

Education stipends

On-site snacks and beverages

Hybrid work culture

Job summary

CoreTrust Purchasing Group in Nashville seeks a Travel Category Manager to shape our travel solutions portfolio, spanning travel management, marketplace, rideshare, rental cars, and events. You will lead category strategy, manage strategic supplier partnerships, and drive adoption through coordinated go-to-market efforts.

You will influence sales, marketing, finance, and member-facing teams, delivering measurable value for thousands of member organizations while staying ahead of industry trends.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in business travel or travel procurement.
• Strong knowledge of the travel ecosystem and TMCs.
• Proven supplier negotiations and contract management.
• Cross-functional influence and stakeholder management.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Willingness to travel approximately 15% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies across travel-related solutions, including travel management, travel marketplace, rideshare, rental car, and meetings & events.
• Build and manage strategic supplier relationships, serving as the primary business owner for key partnerships.
• Lead supplier negotiations, contract renewals, and sourcing initiatives that create value for members and CoreTrust.
• Partner with Sales and Marketing to launch new offerings and drive adoption through effective go-to-market strategies.
• Monitor category performance, analyze trends, and identify opportunities for revenue growth, member value, and operational improvements.
• Serve as a travel-industry subject matter expert, supporting internal teams and engaging directly with members when needed.
• Stay informed on industry trends, supplier innovations, and emerging opportunities that can strengthen the CoreTrust portfolio.

Skills

Travel category expertise

Strategic sourcing

Supplier relationship management

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Job description

CoreTrust helps organizations activate value faster—and get more out of every dollar they spend. Through enterprise-scalepurchasingpower, a curated supplier network, deep categoryexpertise, and data-driven insights, we enable organizations to make more informed and strategic procurement decisions, accelerate savings, and drive stronger business performance. Today, more than 4,000 organizations rely on CoreTrust to simplify sourcing, reduce complexity, and unlock measurable value across critical spend categories.

As part of our Portfolio team, the Travel Category Manager will shape the future of CoreTrust’s travel solutions portfolio, helping thousands of member organizations access best-in-class travel, meetings, rideshare, and mobility programs.

This is a highly visible role that combines industry expertise, supplier partnership management, category strategy, and go-to-market execution. You’ll work closely with suppliers, sales, marketing, finance, and member-facing teams to grow market-leading travel solutions while delivering exceptional value to members.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies across travel-related solutions, including travel management, travel marketplace, rideshare, rental car, and meetings & events
• Build and manage strategic supplier relationships, serving as the primary business owner for key partnerships
• Lead supplier negotiations, contract renewals, and sourcing initiatives that create value for members and CoreTrust
• Partner with Sales and Marketing to launch new offerings and drive adoption through effective go-to-market strategies
• Monitor category performance, analyze trends, and identify opportunities for revenue growth, member value, and operational improvements
• Serve as a travel-industry subject matter expert, supporting internal teams and engaging directly with members when needed

Stay informed on industry trends, supplier innovations, and emerging opportunities that can strengthen the CoreTrust portfolio.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in business travel, travel management, strategic sourcing, category management, supplier partnerships, procurement, or a related field
• Strong understanding of the travel ecosystem, including travel management companies (TMCs), meetings & events, lodging, ground transportation, or related services
• Experience managing supplier relationships, contracts, negotiations, or strategic partnerships
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and work cross-functionally across sales, marketing, finance, operations, and customer-facing teams
• Strong analytical and business acumen with the ability to translate data into recommendations and action
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills

• Experience in corporate travel programs, travel procurement, supplier partnership management, or category management preferred
• Experience leading RFPs, sourcing initiatives, or complex commercial negotiations preferred
• Knowledge of the Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) model preferred

Experience in meetings & events, travel technology, mobility, or adjacent travel categories preferred

• Must be willing to travel approximately 15% of the time, as required

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package
• Free individual employee medical coverage
• Company subsidized dental and vision coverage
• Dollar for dollar 401(k) match up to 6% of your salary with immediate vesting
• Company-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability coverage
• Employee Assistance Program to support your wellbeing and mental health
• $1500 annual stipend for undergraduate/graduate college courses; $500 annual stipend for continuing education courses/certifications
• Free snacks and beverages on-site
• Brand new, state-of-the-art, tech-enabled work environment in downtown Nashville
• Flexible/hybrid work culture