Address Introduction
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Your Role and Responsibilities
In this procurement consulting role, the Category Manager will lead the development, execution, and ongoing management of category/sourcing strategies for IBM’s Procurement BPO clients. Above and beyond strategic sourcing activities, the Category Manager should understand external variables, learn the internal landscape of our client (requirements, organizational structure, priorities) and develop relationships to successfully deliver improved cost, reduced risk, and more efficient programs.Role & Responsibilities
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.
Required Technical and Professional Expertise
A minimum of 7 years of strategic sourcing and category management experience
4+ years sourcing Travel & Expense categories in areas such as: Commercial Airline, Hotel, Car Rental, Travel Management Company, Corporate Payment, Online Booking Tool, Expense Solution
Candidates must be willing and able to travel to client locations based on business requirements. Peak client travel may be up to 4 days/week and 3-4 weeks per month (e.g., early months with a new client); however, steady state travel is purposeful in nature and often less frequent (e.g., 2 weeks per month in most roles).
Preferred Technical and Professional Expertise
Previous experience in a client facing / consultative role
Degree in Business, Law, Supply Chain Management or other applicable field
About Business UnitThe IBM Finance organization is responsible for driving enterprise performance and transformation. We are the financial stewards of IBM, delivering IBM’s financial strategy, developing new business models, and mitigating enterprise risk. Do you have a passion for creating business value? Join our team in accounting, financial planning, pricing, business controls, tax, treasury, business development (acquisitions & divestitures), and global financing.
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About IBMIBM’s greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we’re also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 50 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business. At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it’s time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.
Location StatementFor additional information about location requirements, please discuss with the recruiter following submission of your application.
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