Global Procurement - Sr. Strategic Sourcing Manager (Digital Technology)

United Airlines; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 102,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flight privileges

Medical, dental, vision

Paid holidays & time off

Job summary

United Airlines is seeking a Global Procurement Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager for a hybrid role based in Chicago. You will lead supplier and category strategies, manage sourcing events, negotiations, and contracts to deliver cost efficiency and value while aligning with business goals.

You will design dashboards and KPIs, perform market analysis and data modeling, and drive continuous improvement across the supply chain in collaboration with internal stakeholders and suppliers.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, analytics, finance, or a related business function.
• Bachelor's degree required.
• Experience leading supplier management, sourcing initiatives, contract negotiations, and cross-functional projects.
• Strong analytical, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of strategic sourcing, cost optimization, supply chain analysis, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement practices.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship

Responsibilities

• Define and execute supplier and category strategies that drive competitive advantage, cost savings, risk mitigation, and long-term value creation.
• Lead sourcing events, supplier evaluations, negotiations, and contract discussions to secure optimal commercial and operational outcomes.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers while aligning sourcing activities to business needs.
• Design, maintain, and leverage dashboards, reporting tools, and sourcing KPIs to monitor performance, identify risks, and support sourcing recommendations.
• Conduct supply market analysis, scenario planning, and data modeling to identify opportunities that improve supply chain efficiency, service levels, and total cost of ownership.
• Develop and enforce procurement documentation standards, governance processes, and compliance requirements across sourcing activities.
• Lead process improvement initiatives that standardize sourcing practices, introduce new tools, and enhance operational effectiveness.
• Support supplier development, demand forecasting, and continuous improvement programs that strengthen supply chain capabilities and business performance.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Sourcing strategy

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

BI tools

Job description

Achieving our goals starts with supporting yours. Grow your career, access top-tier health and wellness benefits, build lasting connections with your team and our customers, and travel the world using our extensive route network.

Come join us to create what’s next. Let’s define tomorrow, together.

Description

The Global Procurement Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager leads sourcing initiatives and supplier strategies that support business objectives while optimizing cost, quality, service, and risk management. This role serves as a strategic partner to internal stakeholders and suppliers, driving category strategies, sourcing decisions, and continuous improvement efforts across the supply chain. The position combines supplier relationship management, sourcing execution, market analysis, and data-driven decision-making to improve operational performance and business outcomes. Success in this role requires strong leadership, analytical capability, and the ability to influence stakeholders across a complex organization.

Core Accountabilities/Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute supplier and category strategies that drive competitive advantage, cost savings, risk mitigation, and long-term value creation.
• Lead sourcing events, supplier evaluations, negotiations, and contract discussions to secure optimal commercial and operational outcomes.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers while aligning sourcing activities to business needs.
• Design, maintain, and leverage dashboards, reporting tools, and sourcing KPIs to monitor performance, identify risks, and support sourcing recommendations.
• Conduct supply market analysis, scenario planning, and data modeling to identify opportunities that improve supply chain efficiency, service levels, and total cost of ownership.
• Develop and enforce procurement documentation standards, governance processes, and compliance requirements across sourcing activities.
• Lead process improvement initiatives that standardize sourcing practices, introduce new tools, and enhance operational effectiveness.
• Support supplier development, demand forecasting, and continuous improvement programs that strengthen supply chain capabilities and business performance.

Please note: This is a hybrid role based in Chicago, requiring 3 days per week in office.

Qualifications

What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):

• 3+ years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, analytics, finance, or a related business function.
• Bachelor's degree required.
• Experience leading supplier management, sourcing initiatives, contract negotiations, and cross-functional projects.
• Strong analytical, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of strategic sourcing, cost optimization, supply chain analysis, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement practices.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship
• Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification
• Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position

What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications):

• Experience with supply chain risk management, supplier diversification, or sustainable sourcing initiatives.
• Professional certification such as CPSM, CPM, or other relevant procurement certification.
• Experience using data modeling, reporting, and business intelligence tools to support sourcing decisions.
• Experience in transportation, travel, hospitality, or other large-scale operational environments.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of generative AI tools and effectively leverages them to support research, analysis, content creation, and problem-solving.
• Apply critical thinking to validate AI-generated outputs while adhering to organizational policies for responsible AI use, data privacy, and security.

The base pay range for this role is $102,220.00 to $133,194.00.

The base salary range/hourly rate listed is dependent on job-related, factors such as experience, education, and skills. This position is also eligible for bonus and/or long-term incentive compensation awards.

You may be eligible for the following competitive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, accident & disability, parental leave, employee assistance program, commuter, paid holidays, paid time off, 401(k) and flight privileges.

United Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law. We provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation, contact [e-mail]