**Introduction** IBM is seeking highly motivated individuals with commercial procurement and client facing eperience 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. Strong Verbal and written English skills are required. Occasional travel to client sites is required. **Your role and responsibilities** * Manage exceptions to established category strategy * Support one-off sourcing projects based on client requirements * Provide outsourcing category support as assigned by the Project Manager * Take category guidance from the Category Manager, contribute to strategy creation * Execute competitive bid events, benchmarking projects, RFPs * Communicate and negotiate with clients and suppliers through all levels of organization * Analyze changing client/market conditions * Educate and advise clients and suppliers on strategies * Interface with strategic sourcing team to implement strategic contracts at the tactical level * Support client specific category strategy - redirect tactical spend through strategic contracts/channels as appropriate * Perform periodic analysis within managed commodity scope to identify savings, define efficiency opportunities and tactical initiatives that should be undertaken * Promote process efficiencies through focus on automated channels where applicable * Identify appropriate potential suppliers to fit client’s business objectives * Negotiate and contract with exception suppliers driving additional savings and value * Communicate supplier recommendations to clients based on objective criteria and fit for client business * Track and report supplier performance and resolve any supplier performance issues in conjunction with the Category Manager * Identify any exception opportunities to the Category Managers and make recommendations on strategic approaches that might be taken * Interact with parallel organizations in other geos to assure consistent global approach * Support periodic key stakeholder meetings with client to review commodity strategy and activities * Optimize supply base opportunities across managed commodities * Act in compliance with all relevant IBM business conduct guidelines and client driven procurement processes **Required technical and professional expertise** * Bachelor’s degree or equivalent post-secondary experience * At least 2-5 years of sourcing related experience in indirect procurement categories in IT category * Fluent English language skills * Strong decision-making skills and demonstrated negotiation expertise * Supplier relationship management expertise and client facing skills * Proactive character and team player attitude * Good communication skills * Ability to work autonomously, with limited guidance **Preferred technical and professional experience** IT skills: Ariba, SAP, Oracle, MS Office, Outlook, Excel, PPT IBM is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, caste, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, veteran status, or other characteristics. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.