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Introduction

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.

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

The required location for this position is Toronto, ON

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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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.

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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 StatementMust have the ability to work in Canada without sponsorship.

For additional information about location requirements, please discuss with the recruiter following submission of your application.

Being You @ IBMIBM 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.