Introduction
In this procurement consulting role, the Category Manager will lead the development, execution, and ongoing management of category/ strategies for IBM’s Procurement BPO clients. Above and beyond activities, the Category Manager should understand external variables, learn the internal landscape of our (requirements, organizational structure, priorities) and develop relationships to successfully deliver improved cost, reduced risk, and more efficient programs.

Your Role and Responsibilities

• Understand business requirements (priorities, challenges, and key value drivers) and address the requirements as appropriate via commercial procurement activities.
• Develops and secures cross-functional alignment for annual category strategies and/or sourcing strategies for the assigned areas of responsibility. Implements category strategies utilizing various commercial levers that deliver improved value such as lower cost, reduced risk, increased flexibility, and improved business outcomes for IBM’s clients.
• Builds deep relationships with cross-functional client stakeholders by providing compelling category insights & strategies, aligning and delivering results against commercial plans, and providing consistent professional communication & issue resolution.
• Plays an active role in supplier / agency relationship management (SRM) through leading or participating in key meetings, documenting mutual feedback and action items, ensuring right stakeholder engagement and through senior interactions with agencies where needed.
• Identifies cost savings opportunities across the client’s Marketing spend.
• Acts as a trusted advisor and SME in the areas of sourcing and negotiating contracts for Marketing and other Indirect categories.
• Achieves cost savings, risk mitigation, and process efficiencies through various value levers.
• Leads supplier selection process across multiple simultaneous projects within the category.
• Leads negotiations with current and potential suppliers as part of the contract renewal or vendor selection process.
• Collects and analyzes internal/external category data, metrics, and reports to track performance against targets and identify new sourcing opportunities or category insights.
• Innovates within the procurement space; looking at new ways to structure programs or categories, benefit from changes in supply market, or modify tools/processes to add value.
• Provides support throughout the sourcing and contracting process when necessary, ensuring seamless handoff to our clients when appropriate.

Required Technical and Professional Expertise

• A minimum of 7 years of strategic sourcing and category management experience
• 4+ years sourcing Marketing categories in areas such as: Creative & Advertising, Production, Digital, Media, Branding, Promotional Items, Market Research, and Events
• Strong communication skills with proven ability to analyze data & present findings in a clear and cohesive manner
• Candidates must be detail oriented self-starters, with a demonstrated record of taking end-to-end ownership, solving problems, and learning from failures. Must be comfortable working independently in ambiguous situations, and managing external vendor relationships
• Candidates must be willing and able to travel to client locations based on business requirements

Preferred Technical and Professional Expertise

• Previous experience in a client facing / consultative role
• Degree in Business, Law, Supply Chain Management or other applicable field