Travel Commodity Manager (Global Procurement & Travel Operations)

Coherent Corp.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation program

Career development opportunities

Innovative work environment

Job summary

A leading technology company in Santa Clara is seeking a skilled professional to manage their global travel program. The role involves strategic sourcing, contract negotiations, and ensuring compliance with travel policies. Candidates should have at least 5 years of experience in corporate travel management and a successful track record in delivering cost savings. The company offers a collaborative environment that values innovation and integrity, providing opportunities for growth and professional development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience in corporate travel management, procurement, or category management.
• Demonstrated ownership of global airline, hotel, and TMC programs beyond sourcing events.
• Demonstrated success delivering cost savings through supplier negotiations and sourcing events.
• Hands-on experience negotiating airline, hotel, and rental car agreements.
• Strong financial acumen and ability to manage budgets and savings commitments.

Responsibilities

• Own the global travel category strategy across multiple services.
• Deliver measurable year-over-year cost savings and improvements.
• Manage travel platforms and oversee communication.
• Partner with Finance to validate savings and track benefits.
• Ensure compliance with travel policies and provide performance reporting.

Job description

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Global Travel Program & Category Ownership

• Own the global travel category strategy across airlines, hotels, rental car companies, ground transportation, TMCs, and travel technology providers.
• Deliver measurable year-over-year cost savings, value creation, and efficiency improvements aligned with procurement targets.
• Establish and track category KPIs including savings, compliance, supplier performance, and traveler satisfaction.

Strategic Sourcing, Negotiations & Savings Accountability

• Design and manage airline programs including market-based share commitments, dynamic discount models, bundle/content strategies, and performance tracking.
• Lead hotel program strategy including rate caps, LRA participation, and footprint optimization.
• Lead annual and multi-year sourcing strategies, including RFPs, competitive rebids, renewals, and supplier rationalization efforts.
• Own negotiation strategy and execution for global and regional agreements with airlines, hotel chains, rental car companies, and other travel suppliers.
• Secure preferred pricing, volume commitments, value-added benefits, and commercial protections.
• Partner with Finance to validate savings, forecast budget impacts, and track realized vs. negotiated benefits.
• Maintain a disciplined contract renewal calendar to ensure timely rebids and risk mitigation.

Systems, Access & Travel Administration

• Manage travel platforms, TMC interfaces, system configurations, and administrative access controls.
• Oversee the Travel Inbox and Global Travel intranet content to ensure accurate, timely traveler communication.
• Own supporting programs such as Uber for Business and airline and rental car corporate programs.

Vendor & Contract Governance

• Serve as executive-level point of contact for strategic travel suppliers.
• Conduct regular supplier business reviews, SLA governance, and performance score carding.
• Partner with Legal to negotiate, execute, and enforce global and regional travel contracts.

Governance, Risk & Reporting

• Ensure compliance with travel policies, financial controls, and regulatory requirements.
• Support duty‑of‑care and traveler risk initiatives.
• Provide executive reporting on spend, savings, sourcing outcomes, and supplier performance.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience in corporate travel management, procurement, or category management.
• Demonstrated ownership of global airline, hotel, and TMC programs beyond sourcing events.
• Demonstrated success delivering cost savings through supplier negotiations and sourcing events.
• Hands‑on experience negotiating airline, hotel, and rental car agreements.
• Strong financial acumen and ability to manage budgets and savings commitments.

Preferred

• Experience owning or implementing online booking tools, TMC, global travel programs.
• Experience in a large multinational or high‑tech environment.
• Familiarity with travel and expense platforms and sourcing tools.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strategic sourcing and commercial negotiation expertise.
• Strong savings accountability and financial discipline.
• Executive‑level stakeholder influence and supplier management.
• Data‑driven decision making and analytics capability.
• Ability to operate independently in a complex, global organization.

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality And Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.

• Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust
• Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
• Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
• Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
• Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail].

About Us

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets.

Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard‑work through a competitive compensation program. It’s an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!