Global Procurement - Sr Strategic Sourcing Manager - Tech Ops (Hybrid)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

United Airlines seeks a Global Procurement Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager (Tech Ops) for a hybrid Chicago-based role. You will lead supplier strategies, manage complex sourcing programs, and partner with internal teams to optimize cost, quality, and risk across the supply chain.

You will design dashboards, drive data-driven decisions, and mentor teams while ensuring governance and compliance in a dynamic travel logistics environment.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in procurement, strategic sourcing, or related field.
• Bachelor's degree required and strong analytical skills.
• Experience leading supplier management and cross-functional projects.
• Knowledge of cost optimization, risk management, and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Design dashboards and KPIs to monitor performance and guide sourcing decisions.
• Analyze markets, model data, and plan scenarios to reduce total cost of ownership.
• Lead process improvements and introduce new sourcing tools and practices.
• Lead supplier selection, negotiations, and contract discussions for optimal outcomes.
• Define category strategies and align sourcing with business needs.
• Build relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Develop procurement documentation and governance processes.
• Support supplier development and demand forecasting initiatives.

Skills

Procurement analytics

Strategic sourcing

Stakeholder management

Contract negotiations

Sourcing strategies

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

BI Tools

Excel

Job description

Global Procurement - Sr Strategic Sourcing Manager - Tech Ops (Hybrid)

Location Chicago, Illinois, United States

Contract: Full-time

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

About the Job

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

• 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.
• Lead process improvement initiatives that standardize sourcing practices, introduce new tools, and enhance operational effectiveness.
• Lead sourcing events, supplier evaluations, negotiations, and contract discussions to secure optimal commercial and operational outcomes.
• Define and execute supplier and category strategies that drive competitive advantage, cost savings, risk mitigation, and long-term value creation.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers while aligning sourcing activities to business needs.
• Develop and enforce procurement documentation standards, governance processes, and compliance requirements across sourcing activities.
• Support supplier development, demand forecasting, and continuous improvement programs that strengthen supply chain capabilities and business performance.

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.
• Strong analytical, BI Tool, data modeling, trend analysis, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience leading supplier management, sourcing initiatives, contract negotiations, and cross-functional projects.
• 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):

• Professional certification such as CPSM, CPM, or other relevant procurement certification.
• 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 for research, analysis, content creation, and problem-solving.
• Applies critical thinking to validate AI-generated outputs while adhering to company policies related to responsible AI use, data privacy, and security.

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

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.