Procurement Process Transformation & Optimization Lead (Hybrid) at United Airlines

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We believe that inclusion helps us thrive and grow at United across our collaborative Finance teams consisting of Financial Planning & Analysis, Internal Audit, Treasury, Global Procurement, Controllership, Investor Relations and more. These teams provide the financial fuel that keeps our operation running from providing detailed analyses of financial planning, performance, and forecasts to managing our investments and financial strategies. Our Finance team plays an integral role in making our airline profitable and successful by meeting our financial goals.

Job overview and responsibilities

The Global Procurement (GP) organization at United Airlines is responsible for sourcing and procuring goods and services, as well as managing relationships with third-party suppliers. GP’s role is critical in driving operational efficiency by overseeing the entire procure-to-pay process and ensuring the strategic acquisition of goods and services essential to the airline’s success. We are committed to optimizing costs, maintaining supplier quality, and ensuring compliance with regulatory and sustainability standards, all while supporting operational excellence and aligning with United’s broader business objectives.

This role leads the end-to-end transformation of procurement processes and systems across the Source-to-Pay (S2P) ecosystem. It is responsible for assessing current-state processes, designing future-state operating models, and driving standardization and harmonization across all business functions that interact with the S2P lifecycle.

The role also serves as a technical champion with expertise in system configuration, reporting, automation, and process optimization. By identifying system inefficiencies, operational bottlenecks, and integration gaps, this individual drives practical solutions that improve user experience, system performance, and overall process effectiveness.

Acting as a bridge between Procurement, IT, System Administrators, and business stakeholders, this role translates business requirements into scalable digital solutions, system configurations, and data-driven process improvements. The individual will partner closely with stakeholders to identify pain points, prioritize enhancements, and continuously improve the procurement technology ecosystem.

Workflow Optimization & Innovation

• Support the designing and streamlining procurement workflows to enhance system/product efficiency.
• Work with cross-functional teams to implement best practices and suggest process improvements.
• Ensure that procurement technology aligns with compliance, security, and business objectives.
• Monitor KPIs and user feedback to measure system effectiveness and identify further enhancements.
• Identify opportunities for innovation in procurement systems and digital tools.

Product Ownership & Enhancements

• Support to implement procurement system enhancements based on business needs.
• Define and prioritize Coupa (or any procurement product) features, enhancements, and system improvements.
• Act as the first point of contact for system users, for troubleshooting issues, and support.
• Work with IT and relevant teams to track, escalate, and resolve system-related issues.
• Collaborate with IT and developers to translate business requirements into technical solutions.
• Continuously assess and suggest opportunities for automation, simplification, and efficiency gains.
• Drive user adoption and training, ensuring smooth implementation of new features.
• Work in an agile environment, participating in sprint planning, backlog grooming, and system testing.

Leadership & People management

• Act as the primary liaison between Global Procurement (GP), IT, and business users to ensure procurement system enhancements meet operational needs.
• Gather feedback from end-users, leadership, and cross-functional teams to improve product functionality.
• Train and develop individuals and all team members on relevant products, systems, and tools.
• Support change management efforts by communicating product updates, leading training.
• Lead stakeholder engagement and training to maximize system effectiveness

Please note: This is a Chicago-based, hybrid role with an in-office requirement of apx. 3 days per week.

Qualifications

What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications)

• Bachelor's degree
• Finance, Risk, Supply Chain, or another business-related field
• 3+ years of experience in related field
• Highly analytical with excellent problem-solving skills
• Strong communication, negotiation and relationship building skills
• Strong cross functional leadership skills
• Strong process mapping and change management skills
• Experience with both internal stakeholder and supplier relationship management,
• Ability to work independently
• Efficient conflict resolution skills
• Excellent market information analysis skills and supply market knowledge
• Skilled in strategic minded project management
• Works well in high-paced cross-functional environment
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship
• Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification
• Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position

What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications):

• Master's degree in Industrial Engineering, IT, or related fields

• 5+ years of experience in the following areas:

  • Procurement systems, or familiar with Source-to-Pay (S2P) process,
  • Process mapping and process optimization
  • System configuration, automation, and low-code/no-code tools (i.e. able to build applications, workflows, automations)
• Troubleshooting issues, and reduce reliance on System Admin

• PMP
• Proficient in process mapping, change management, data analysis and visualization, reporting and business intelligence tools

The base pay range for this role is $102,220.00 to $133,194.00.

The base salary range/hourly rate listed is dependent on job-related, factors such as experience, education, and skills. This position is also eligible for bonus and/or long-term incentive compensation awards.

You may be eligible for the following competitive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, accident & disability, parental leave, employee assistance program, commuter, paid holidays, paid time off, 401(k) and flight privileges.

United Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law. We provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation, contact [email protected]