Travel Procurement Manager

Travel Procurement Manager

Equinix is the world’s digital infrastructure company, operating 245+ data centers across the globe and providing interconnections to all the key clouds and networks. Businesses need one place to simplify and bring together fragmented, complex infrastructure that spans private and public cloud environments. Our global platform allows customers to place infrastructure wherever they need it and connect it to everything they need to succeed.

We are a fast-growing global company with 70+ quarters of growth. Through our innovative portfolio of high-performance products and services, we have created the largest, most active global ecosystem of 10,000+ companies, including 2,000+ networks and 3,000 cloud and IT service providers in 32 countries spanning six continents.  

A career at Equinix means you will collaborate on work that impacts the world and be surrounded by endless opportunities to learn new skills and grow in varied directions. We embrace diversity in thought and contribution and are committed to providing an equitable work environment. that is foundational to our core values as a company and is vital to our success. 

Job Summary

As Category Manager, Travel Procurement, you are accountable for developing strategies to deliver sustainable results across all Travel categories by identifying new opportunities for value and process improvement. As a leader within the Procurement Organization, you are responsible for developing strong and effective business partner relationships with senior leaders across multiple functions and regions. The Category Manager will manage all of the Travel sub-categories and have accountability to deliver against department and functional goals. You will need a strong sense of urgency and the ability to succinctly frame issues and alternatives to drive decisions forward.
 

Responsibilities

• Engages and establishes business partnerships with cross functional leadership across Equinix to collaborate, influence, and drive sourcing strategies

• Manages and leads multiple complex sourcing strategies, scope requirements, business partnerships, and navigate complexity within the organization

• Responsible for the management of Travel Operations globally ensuring all preferred suppliers are performing and evolving the travel program to the best interest of Equinix

• Creates a shared vision by embedding and integrating the role of strategic sourcing into various parts of the business

• Develops long term portfolio category strategies that are directly linked to Corporate Services’ functional objectives and Equinix goals for Air, Lodging, Ground Transportation, Global Travel Agency, Travel booking tool, Car and Events

• Partner closely with the Finance and Procurement organizations to measure and assess T&E performance vs. negotiated KPIs and industry benchmarks

• Partner closely with the Card team to ensure seamless integration and support of global T&E and BTA cards

• Measure and monitor travel experience for Equinix employees identifying ways to continually improve and maximize our travelers’ time on the road

• Provide high level guidance on the overall continuous strategic sourcing process and operations management from needs identification, through supplier performance management across multiple Travel platforms and systems

• Develop strategy for consistent Travel measurement and monitoring

• Maintain strong external focus by leveraging industry peers, organizations, associations and by continuing to build strong relationships outside of Equinix

• A champion for change that can act decisively to drive decisions, while demonstrating agility to support the evolution of business needs

• Communicates effectively and frequently, listens carefully, and actively seeks and values the perspectives of others

• Builds effective strategic relationships with external suppliers to drive and execute category strategies

• Develop and manage category wide SRM plans with a focus on continuous improvement and innovation

• Support the implementation of Global Procurement policies and procedures

Qualifications

• Proven years of experience Strategic Sourcing and travel management operations including competitive bidding and contracting experience preferred

• Proven years of experience leading the development and management of category plans or sourcing strategies highly preferred

• Experience working and partnering within diverse global cultures and regions to drive local programs and processes

• People management skills as direct report management may be involved

• In-depth understanding of the Global Travel marketplace; deep industry and/or professional relationships with suppliers and agencies

• Deep understanding of travel KPI’s and associated metrics with the ability to report to all levels including C-suite.

• Past experiences challenging the status quo by developing business cases for change through leveraging business acumen, market intelligence, and insights to drive a broad strategic impact across an organization

• Demonstrated contract and agreement negotiation expertise, including development of negotiating plans and strategies for travel services and suppliers

• Strong relationship-management skills and ability to communicate effectively, and collaborate with, senior-to-exec management. You need to be able to tell compelling stories through insights and data

• Active participation with Travel Industry advisory boards and attendance to annual Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) and Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) is highly preferred

• Travel up to 25% to Equinix locations and industry events

Equinix is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

Equinix is an Equal Employment Opportunity and, in the U.S., an Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to unlawful consideration of race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, place of birth, citizenship, sex, pregnancy / childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic partnership status, age, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, political / organizational affiliation, status as a victim or family member of a victim of crime or abuse, or any other status protected by applicable law. (Equal Opportunity / AA / Disabled / Veterans Employer (U.S.)).