[Hiring] Manager II - Procurement @BAE Systems

Role Description

The Sr. Category Manager, Travel is responsible for developing, executing, and overseeing the US-based Travel & Meetings Program and Travel Category Procurement strategies. This role ensures alignment with global strategies set by the Global Category Director and serves as the enterprise leader for travel operations, supplier management, policy governance, digital transformation, and program performance. The position engages with stakeholders across Finance, Security, Government Compliance, Insurable Risk, and regional/global travel teams to ensure a best‑in‑class, compliant, efficient, and traveler‑focused program.

By integrating rigorous safety protocols, duty of care, and operational excellence, this role directly advances our corporate mission: "We Protect Those Who Protect Us." By ensuring the safety and well-being of our employees while they are deployed to support our customers, this position protects the very people who enable our mission of national security.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy & Leadership
  • Partner with the Global Category Director--Travel to translate global visions into specific US-based Travel & Meetings strategies.
  • Secure alignment and provide quarterly progress updates to key stakeholders, including Inc Supply Chain Council, Finance, Security, Insurable Risk, and Government Compliance.
  • Design, update, and enforce US-based corporate travel policies and meetings processes.
  • Drive the adoption of AI-driven solutions, mobile apps, and online tools; maintain expertise in industry trends.
  • Lead the Travel Working Group (TWG), set the strategic direction, manage the action list, and obtain member buy-in.
  • Execute all managerial responsibilities, including hiring, goal setting, PDRs, and annual salary allocation.
• Procurement & Category Management
  • Own and manage relationships with all travel and meetings suppliers.
  • Lead procurement activities, including RFP documentation, supplier business reviews, complex negotiations, and contract execution.
  • Manage the annual rebate budget, including monthly updates, accruals, and budget planning.
  • Oversee the Non-Refundable Ticket (NRT) pool to ensure high re-usage percentage.
  • Deliver annual travel forecasts and manage Point of Sale (POS) fee forecasts and collections.
  • Serve as the designated approver for Travel and Corporate Jet purchase requisitions.
• Travel Program Operations
  • Ensure seamless access to booking tools and negotiated rates.
  • Lead support for DCAA and DCMA Travel Audit requests.
  • Partner with Security to develop and implement travel risk management and crisis management plans.
  • Support Global Mobility (Visas/Tax reporting), the Infrequent Traveler Program, and the Applicant Travel program.
• Data Analytics & Sustainability
  • Develop data and scorecard strategies to report category spend, ROI, and KPIs.
  • Report quarterly travel emissions for the Annual Report and support Deloitte audit requests regarding emissions reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, or a related field.
• Extensive experience (min 10 years) in corporate travel management and procurement or category management within a large, complex organization.
• Proficiency in government travel regulations, specifically the Fly America Act, DCAA/DCMA audit standards, and FAR requirements.

Requirements

• Proven track record of managing multi-million dollar budgets and delivering cost savings and cost avoidance targets.
• Expertise in leading RFPs and managing high-level supplier relationships.
• Experience in developing business continuity and crisis management plans in coordination with corporate security.
• Proficiency in travel technology and data analytics for scorecard development.

Company Description

BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we do at BAE Systems.