Sr. Category Manager, Travel

Job 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

• Strategic Translation: Partner with the Global Category Director--Travel to translate global visions into specific US-based Travel & Meetings strategies, align program goals with broader objectives such as cost savings, Environmental, Social, & Governance (ESG) reporting, and employee well-being.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Secure alignment and provide quarterly progress updates to key stakeholders, including Inc Supply Chain Council, Finance, Security, Insurable Risk, and Government Compliance.
• Governance & Policy: Design, update, and enforce US-based corporate travel policies and meetings processes, ensure they reflect industry's best practices and emerging technologies.
• Innovation & Digital Transformation: Drive the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven solutions, mobile apps, and online tools; maintain expertise in industry trends (e.g., New Distribution Capability (NDC), remote work mobility, and wellness-focused travel).
• Organizational Leadership: Lead the Travel Working Group (TWG), set the strategic direction, manage the action list, and obtain member buy-in.
• People Management: Execute all managerial responsibilities, including hiring, goal setting, PDRs, and annual salary allocation; provide operational coverage during staff absences.

Procurement & Category Management

• Supplier Management: Own and manage relationships with all travel and meetings suppliers, including the Travel Management Company (TMC) and Travel & Expense (T&E) Card provider, ensure Service Level Agreement (SLA) achievement.

• Sourcing Execution: Lead procurement activities, including Request for Proposal (RFP) documentation, supplier business reviews, complex negotiations, and contract execution.

• Financial Oversight:

• 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.

• Drive the achievement of annual cost savings and cost avoidance targets, in coordination with the Vice President, Procurement.

• Authorization: Serve as the designated approver for Travel and Corporate Jet purchase requisitions per the Delegation of Authority (DOA).

Travel Program Operations

• Traveler Experience: Ensure seamless access to booking tools and negotiated rates; leverage "Welcome Home" survey data to reduce traveler friction and design training programs.
• Compliance & Audit: Lead support for Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) and Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) Travel Audit requests and ensure strict adherence to the Fly America Act and Department of War (DoW) lowest available fare requirements.
• Risk Mitigation & Duty of Care: Partner with Security to develop and implement travel risk management and crisis management plans; keep leadership informed of security incidents impacting travelers.
• Specialized Support: Support Global Mobility (Visas/Tax reporting), the Infrequent Traveler Program, and the Applicant Travel program.

Data Analytics & Sustainability

• Performance Metrics: Develop data and scorecard strategies to report category spend, Return on Investment (ROI), and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) (e.g., compliance, satisfaction, carbon emissions) to Senior Leadership and Finance.
• ESG Reporting: Report quarterly travel emissions for the Annual Report and support Deloitte audit requests regarding emissions reporting.

Alignment with Corporate Mission & Global Structure

Contribution to "We Protect Those Who Protect Us"

This role is a cornerstone of our commitment to employee safety. By managing the "Duty of Care" and partnering with Security to mitigate traveler risk, the Sr. Category Manager, Travel ensures that our employees-who are essential to protecting our customers-are themselves protected. The focus on "reducing traveler friction" and enhancing "employee well-being" ensures our workforce remains resilient and supported.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

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

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills Desired Experience & Skills

• Financial Stewardship: Proven track record of managing multi-million dollar budgets and delivering cost savings and cost avoidance targets.
• Strategic Sourcing: Expertise in leading RFPs and managing high-level supplier relationships (TMCs, Airlines, Hotel chains).
• Risk Management: Experience in developing business continuity and crisis management plans in coordination with corporate security.
• Digital Fluency: Proficiency in travel technology (Concur, UATP, etc.) and data analytics for scorecard development.

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $134640 - $228888

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.

About BAE Systems, Inc.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. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.

This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.