RoleIBM is seeking highly motivated individuals with comprehensive commercial procurement and client facing or consulting experience to join our team of procurement professionals. Specifically, we are looking for procurement professionals to join IBM's Global Procurement team in support of IBM Procurement Services business area, servicing IBM's external clients.Responsibility Areas:The Category Manager leads sourcing projects for our clients along with category insights to assist in their strategy development across hardware, software, services, telecommunications, technology, fleet and logistics, vehicle leases, fuel, tires, warehousing, packaging, freight (Ocean, Air, Truckload, LTL, Small Parcel), Information Technology, Marketing & Communication, Corporate & Professional Services, Commercial Airline, Hotel, Car Rental, Travel Management Company, Corporate Payment, Online Booking Tool, Expense Solution, Contingent Workforce; Business Process Outsourcing; Corporate Tax, Audit & Accounting; Legal, HR Administration & Benefits; Learning & Development, Travel & Expense, Facilities Management and related categories.Develops category strategies and sourcing strategies for the assigned areas of responsibility.Builds relationships with client stakeholders such that Category Manager can demonstrate value in continued engagement, can challenge the client stakeholders when fruitful, and can bring additional subject matter expertise.Identifies cost savings opportunities across the client's Travel spend.Acts as a trusted advisor and SME in the areas of sourcing and negotiating contracts for Travel and other Indirect categories.Achieve cost savings, risk mitigation, and process efficiencies through various value levers.Lead supplier selection process across multiple projects within the category, with various scope and client stakeholder groups.Lead negotiations with current and potential suppliers as part of the contract renewal or vendor selection process.Collect and analyze internal/external category data, metrics, and reports to track performance against targets.Ability to analyze multiple data sets to identify opportunities and category insights.Participate in category councils and business reviews to support collaboration, knowledge sharing, opportunity identification, and overall relationship development.Innovate within the procurement space; look at new ways to structure programs or categories, benefit from changes in supply market, or modify tools/processes to add value.Provide support throughout the sourcing and contracting process when necessary, ensuring seamless handoff to our clients when appropriate.
