Strategic Sourcing Travel, Meetings & Events Category Manager- Virtual

 Our story

At Alight, we believe a company’s success starts with its people. At our core, we Champion People, help our colleagues Grow with Purpose and true to our name we encourage colleagues to “Be Alight.”

Our Values:

Champion People – be empathetic and help create a place where everyone belongs.

Grow with purpose – Be inspired by our higher calling of improving lives.

Be Alight – act with integrity, be real and empower others.

It’s why we’re so driven to connect passion with purpose. Our team’s expertise in human insights and cloud technology gives companies and employees around the world the ability to power confident decisions, for life.

With a comprehensive total rewards package, continuing education and training, and tremendous potential with a growing global organization, Alight is the perfect place to put your passion to work.

Join our team if you Champion People, want to Grow with Purpose through acting with integrity and if you embody the meaning of Be Alight.

Learn more at careers.alight.com. 

The Category Manager for Travel, Meetings and Events is responsible for developing and implementing the strategy for Alight’s travel, meetings and events including engagement and collaboration with senior business leaders and key strategic suppliers.

Key Responsibilities

• Builds strong and influential business relationships and facilitates proactive demand planning among stakeholders. 
• Understands market trends to help achieve business objectives and procurement goals. 
• Provide in-depth supply market knowledge to business stakeholders and translate into strategic actions.  
• Create, develop and implement an effective travel strategy / policies and procedures (and sub-category strategies) that align with overall goals. 
• Responsible for and leads supplier selection, competitive sourcing, negotiation, governance, and relationship management for aligned suppliers.
• Negotiate contracts with travel / meeting & events vendors to secure cost-effective options.
• Build and maintain relationships with vendors, venues, and service providers.
• Evaluate vendor performance for optimal service delivery.
• Collaborates with Key Stakeholders and Supporting Functions (as required) to develop category instructions.
• Investigate and recommend new tools and buying channels.
• Defines data and reporting requirements and works with support teams to ensure accurate master data collection and report creation. 
• Works with support leads and teams to calibrate systems and processes to enable defined strategies and achieve objectives.
• Responsible for demand forecasts, category trends, opportunities, risks, and cost-saving initiatives.
• Own, and report out on key performance indicators.
• Ensures compliance with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. 

 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of travel industry, travel/ meeting & events tools. Experience with BCD Travel a plus.
• Strong knowledge of procurement processes, market research, and supplier management.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, influencing, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to analyze data and make informed decisions.
• Proficiency in procurement software and tools.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Strong proficiency in excel a must.
• Strong proficiency in Smartsheet a plus.
• Ideally 4+ years of experience in corporate travel program management, procurement, category management, or a commensurate role.
• Proven history as a successful Travel Manager and travel industry knowledge.  

Flexible Working

So that you can be your best at work and home, we consider flexible working arrangements wherever possible.  Alight has been a leader in the flexible workspace and “Top 100 Company for Remote Jobs” 5 years in a row.

Benefits

We offer programs and plans for a healthy mind, body, wallet and life because it’s important our benefits care for the whole person. Options include a variety of health coverage options, wellbeing and support programs, retirement, vacation and sick leave, maternity, paternity & adoption leave, continuing education and training as well as a number of voluntary benefit options. 

By applying for a position with Alight, you understand that, should you be made an offer, it will be contingent on your undergoing and successfully completing a background check consistent with Alight’s employment policies. Background checks may include some or all the following based on the nature of the position: SSN/SIN validation, education verification, employment verification, and criminal check, search against global sanctions and government watch lists, credit check, and/or drug test.  You will be notified during the hiring process which checks are required by the position.

Our commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Alight is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We celebrate differences and believe in fostering an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported. We know that diverse teams are stronger, more innovative, and more successful.

At Alight, we welcome and embrace all individuals, regardless of their background, and are dedicated to creating a culture that enables every employee to thrive. Join us in building a brighter, more inclusive future.

Diversity Policy Statement

Alight is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not discriminate against anyone based on sex, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristics or conduct covered by federal, state or local law.   In addition, we take affirmative action to employ and advance in the employment of qualified minorities, women, disabled persons, disabled veterans and other covered veterans.

Alight provides reasonable accommodations to the known limitations of otherwise qualified employees and applicants for employment with disabilities and sincerely held religious beliefs, practices and observances, unless doing so would result in undue hardship. Applicants for employment may request a reasonable accommodation/modification by contacting his/her recruiter.

Authorization to work in the Employing Country

Applicants for employment in the country in which they are applying (Employing Country) must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the Employing Country and with Alight.

Note, this job description does not restrict management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of this job to other entities; including but not limited to subsidiaries, partners, or purchasers of Alight business units.

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We offer you a competitive total rewards package, continuing education & training, and tremendous potential with a growing worldwide organization.

Salary Pay Range

Minimum :

82,000 USD

Maximum :

130,100 USD

Pay Transparency Statement: Alight considers a variety of factors in determining whether to extend an offer of employment and in setting the appropriate compensation level, including, but not limited to, a candidate’s experience, education, certification/credentials, market data, internal equity, and geography. Alight makes these decisions on an individualized, non-discriminatory basis. Bonus and/or incentive eligibility are determined by role and level. Alight also offers a comprehensive benefits package; for specific details on our benefits package, please visit: https://bit.ly/Alight_Benefits

DISCLAIMER:

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of this job to other entities; including but not limited to subsidiaries, partners, or purchasers of Alight business units.

Alight Solutions provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, veteran, marital, parental, citizenship, or domestic partner status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state or local law. Alight Solutions is committed to a diverse workforce and is an affirmative action employer. Apply