MD, Procurement Strategy

Are you ready to explore a world of possibilities, both at work and during your time off? Join our American Airlines family, and you’ll travel the world, grow your expertise and become the best version of you. As you embark on a new journey, you’ll tackle challenges with flexibility and grace, learning new skills and advancing your career while having the time of your life. Feel free to enrich both your personal and work life and hop on board!

The Managing Director, Procurement Strategy will co-lead the Procurement Transformation along side the Chief Procurement Officer (CPRO).  Serving as the “right hand” of the CPRO, the MD, Procurement Strategy will be accountable to drive break-through process improvements in Process Excellence, Digitization, Risk Management, Supplier Sustainability, and Supply Market Intelligence, Performance Management and Continuous Improvement.  This is the chance to be a key driver of a major Procurement transformation at the largest airline in the world.  Position is designed to be a stepping-stone to the CPRO role.

• Leads a team of 15+ to provide leadership and horsepower to major global Procurement transformation.  Further, will lead a small “SWAT” team of sourcing and lean experts to tackle ad hoc opportunities that are not covered by the core Procurement organization set-up.
• Process Excellence:  Works with Procurement leaders and stakeholders to define and implement the ways of buying for the key categories.  Establishes and drives procurement functional training for the entire organization.
• Digitization:  Be the expert on modern digital procurement solutions.  Leads the defining of American’s digital procurement strategy.  Defines digital programs, develops the business cases and drives the implementation of world-class digital procurement tools for new levels of effectiveness and efficiency.
• Risk Management:  Defines and deploys the American Airlines supplier risk management process.
• Supplier Sustainability:  Defines and deploys the American Airlines Supplier Sustainability strategy.  Works with Procurement and Sustainability colleagues to assure compliance to ESG laws and regulations.
• Supply Market Intelligence:  Facilitates, via 3rd parties, access to world class supply market intelligence.
• Performance Management:  Coaches and mentors the category teams in developing and deploying their sourcing strategies.  Collaborates with Procurement peers and AA senior leadership in setting targets and driving performance of financial results.  Assures consistent deployment of service level agreements and targets for the quality and delivery of suppliers.
• Continuous Improvement:  Leads a small, but high-powered team of sourcing and lean experts to tackle ad hoc, high-impact projects ranging from traditional sourcing events to sophisticated lean programs with suppliers, all to drive break-through levels of efficiency and supplier performance.

Minimum Qualifications- Education & Prior Job Experience

• Demonstrates the highest standards of personal ethics and integrity
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, or related discipline, or equivalent experience; Advanced Degree or accredited supply chain professional certification preferred
• 15 years of experience in procurement, supply chain, strategy, or finance
• 10 years of progressive leadership experience managing cross-departmental teams
• Prior experience as Chief Procurement Officer preferred
• Strong background and extensive experience in negotiation, contract management, project management, supplier relationship management, process improvement, and airline management
• Action oriented, results-driven leader with a natural aptitude for engaging employees 
• Proven ability to identify and implement creative and innovative solutions to complex problems 
• Ability to influence others through outstanding interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Ability to think strategically, negotiate skillfully, digest complex details, and use sound judgment and initiative in making decisions 
• Strong problem solving, critical thinking, and decision-making ability
• Proven ability to build and facilitate relationships at all levels of the organization, both internally and externally
• Outstanding team building and leadership skills, including demonstrated ability to hire and develop top talent
• Ability to be flexible in rapidly changing conditions and priorities, and to redirect managers and teams toward new objectives; ability to embrace ambiguity and enable clarity
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills with ability to interact effectively with all levels, both verbally and written
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a high volume environment
• Proven experience leading broad organizational change and transformation
• Proven track record of delivering cost savings
• Experience implementing and working with Coupa software preferred
• Believes in and promotes the American Airlines five leadership attributes:
  • Caring – We care about all team members
  • Collaboration – We succeed as a team
  • Development – We build future leaders
  • Results – We drive to be the best
  • Future – We continually challenge the status quo

Feel free to take advantage of all that American Airlines has to offer: 

• Travel Perks: Ready to explore the world? You, your family and your friends can reach 365 destinations on more than 6,800 daily flights across our global network.
• Health Benefits: On day one, you’ll have access to your health, dental, prescription and vision benefits to help you stay well. And that’s just the start, we also offer virtual doctor visits, flexible spending accounts and more. 
• Wellness Programs: We want you to be the best version of yourself – that’s why our wellness programs provide you with all the right tools, resources and support you need.
• 401(k) Program: Available upon hire and, depending on the workgroup, employer contributions to your 401(k) program are available after one year.
• Additional Benefits: Other great benefits include our Employee Assistance Program, pet insurance and discounts on hotels, cars, cruises and more

From the team members we hire to the customers we serve, inclusion and diversity are the foundation of the dynamic workforce at American Airlines. Our 20+ Employee Business Resource Groups are focused on connecting our team members to our customers, suppliers, communities and shareholders, helping team members reach their full potential and creating an inclusive work environment to meet and exceed the needs of our diverse world.

Are you ready to feel a tremendous sense of pride and satisfaction as you do your part to keep the largest airline in the world running smoothly as we care for people on life’s journey? Feel free to be yourself at American.