Introduction
At IBM, work is more than a job - it's a calling: To build. To design. To code. To consult. To think along with clients and sell. To make markets. To invent. To collaborate. Not just to do something better, but to attempt things you've never thought possible. Are you ready to lead in this new era of technology and solve some of the world's most challenging problems? If so, lets talk.

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.
• Provide support throughout the sourcing and contracting process when necessary, ensuring seamless handoff to our clients when appropriate.
• 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).

Work Location: Anywhere in US #LI-Remote

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
• Willingness to relocate to Raleigh, NC (not required)

IBM Global Procurement has the responsibility for achieving the best overall value for IBM and our clients when acquiring or contracting goods, services, and intellectual property assets. Our mission: "Listen for need, source with speed." We continually work to create value by managing costs and risks, engaging in revenue generation opportunities with our sales teams, and providing superior service to our clients as we ensure on-time delivery. Join us as we transform clients' strategies by delivering simple engagements focused on speed, leveraging digitization, cognitive insights, and innovation from suppliers to maximize value.

This job requires you to provide your COVID-19 vaccination status with supporting documentation, where legally permissible.

In a world where technology never stands still, we understand that, dedication to our clients success, innovation that matters, and trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships, lives in what we do as IBMers as we strive to be the catalyst that makes the world work better.

Being an IBMer means you’ll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you’ll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.

Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on-going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can-do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.

Are you ready to be an IBMer?

This job requires you to provide your COVID-19 vaccination status with supporting documentation, where legally permissible.

IBM’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.

IBM offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program. Eligible employees may have access to:

• Healthcare benefits including medical & prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and mental health & well being

- Financial programs such as 401(k), the IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan, financial counseling, life insurance, short & long- term disability coverage, and opportunities for performance based salary incentive programs

• Generous paid time off including 12 holidays, minimum 56 hours sick time, 120 hours vacation, 12 weeks parental bonding leave in accordance with IBM Policy, and other Paid Care Leave programs. IBM also offers paid family leave benefits to eligible employees where required by applicable law
• Training and educational resources on our personalized, AI-driven learning platform where IBMers can grow skills and obtain industry-recognized certifications to achieve their career goals
• Diverse and inclusive employee resource groups, giving & volunteer opportunities, and discounts on retail products, services & experiences

The compensation range and benefits for this position are based on a full-time schedule for a full calendar year. The salary will vary depending on your job-related skills, experience and location. Pay increment and frequency of pay will be in accordance with employment classification and applicable laws. For part time roles, your compensation and benefits will be adjusted to reflect your hours. Benefits may be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year.

We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.

IBM will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. Therefore, in order to be considered for this position, you must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

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, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, age, veteran status, or other characteristics. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.