Why WestJet
Since our story took off in 1996, WestJet has strived to enrich the lives of everyone in our world; a career with us is no exception. We’re proud to be one of Canada’s most admired and respected corporate cultures and continuously aim for the highest standards of service and success.
Join us, this is where your career story takes off.
This position requires in-person collaboration up to 5 days per week. This arrangement is subject to change with business requirements.
Overview Of The Role
WestJet is seeking a
Category Manager. Reporting to the Director of Strategic Procurement, this senior individual contributor will own end‑to‑end accountability for a full procurement category within a highly technical, asset‑intensive operating environment, with a primary focus on aircraft maintenance. The role sets category strategy and is accountable for commercial outcomes that enable on‑time aircraft return to service. The Category Manager partners closely with Business to operationalize contracts, manage supplier execution and risk, and translate technical requirements into clear, executable commercial frameworks that support operational reliability and lifecycle value.
Key Deliverables Include
- Own and execute the full category strategy (short/long term road map) for technically complex, capital‑intensive spend (e.g. heavy aircraft maintenance and support engine and component categories when needed).
- Provide strategic leadership and direction across sub‑categories, ensuring alignment of sourcing activity, supplier strategies, and commercial approaches.
- Lead end‑to‑end strategic sourcing and contracting, including scope definition, spend and market analysis, RFx execution, negotiation strategy, contract development, renewals, and award recommendations.
- Lead and chair high‑value, high‑risk, and complex negotiations, integrating technical, commercial, operational, and regulatory considerations.
- Partner cross‑functionally to interpret technical specifications, scopes of work, maintenance concepts, and regulatory requirements into robust commercial solutions.
- Drive category‑level financial outcomes, including savings, cost avoidance, spend under management, supplier consolidation, and value creation initiatives.
- Establish and manage performance frameworks for critical suppliers, including escalations, compliance, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement.
- Monitor category performance and KPIs, improving sourcing effectiveness and decision quality through analytics and AI‑enabled tools.
Experience And Qualifications
- 12+ years of experience in strategic procurement, category management, sourcing, and contract lifecycle in asset‑heavy or industrial environments (e.g. aviation, aerospace, energy, mining, manufacturing).
- Demonstrated ownership of a full category with accountability for strategy, execution, risk, and results.
- Strong technical and commercial fluency, with proven ability to operate credibly with engineering and maintenance stakeholders on specifications, performance requirements, maintenance concepts, and lifecycle trade‑offs.
- Proven experience with complex maintenance programs and service models (e.g commercial structures for maintenance, repair operations: PBH, T&M, FFP)
- Proven success negotiating and contracting complex agreements involving capital equipment, repairable assets, and long‑term service arrangements.
- Experience operating in regulated, compliance‑driven, and safety‑critical environments.
- Strong stakeholder leadership, communication, and decision‑influencing skills
- Knowledge and practical use of data, analytics, and AI‑enabled tools (e.g., spend analytics, RFx optimization, contract review, scenario modeling, or decision support) to improve sourcing
The Benefits Of Being a WestJetter
WestJet provides all WestJetters with a competitive total rewards package. On top of that, we offer:
- A fun and friendly culture with colleagues who work together to win
- Travel privileges for you and your family, effective from your start date
- Savings and Benefit programs that are flexible to meet your specific needs
Think we’re a great fit? Apply now!
About WestJet Group Of Companies
WestJet took to the skies in 1996 with just over 200 employees and three aircraft operating service to five destinations. Since then, WestJet has pioneered low-cost travel in Canada, cutting airfares in half, and increasing the flying population in Canada by more than 50 per cent. Since the Sunwing Airlines integration in 2025, more than 15,000 WestJetters support nearly 200 aircraft and connect guests to our global network of more than 100 destinations across North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia.
The WestJet Group is a major Canadian employer and includes WestJet Airlines, WestJet Encore and Sunwing Vacations Group. We’re Canada’s leading value airline and largest vacation provider, with a united purpose of providing affordable and accessible air and vacation travel to Canadians.
Our safety promise
At WestJet, the safety and security of our people and our guests is a core value and at the heart of what we do. Safety and security are shared responsibilities all team members are expected to use safe work practices to ensure their well-being and the safety of others.
WestJet recognizes that the use of Alcohol and Drugs can adversely impact a safe work environment and the well-being of others including guests, suppliers and the public, as well as place WestJet's operations at risk. All roles that are identified as Safey-Sensitive are required to pass a Pre-Employment Alcohol and Drug Test as per WestJet's Alcohol and Drug Policy.
Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
We embrace what makes each of us unique, and what makes us uniquely WestJet. We welcome diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds so if you're passionate about this role, we encourage you to apply – even if you don't meet every qualification listed. WestJet is committed to inclusiveness, equity and accessibility throughout the selection process. If you require accommodation at any stage, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at talent@westjet.com.
We value the time and effort you put into your application. Our recruitment process is highly competitive and while every applicant will receive communication regarding their application status, only those selected to move forward will be contacted with next steps. If this role isn’t the right fit, we encourage you to explore future opportunities with us.
About
For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com/aboutus.
If you wish to withdraw your application or request that your personal information be deleted, please contact us at talent@westjet.com.
