Description

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 the external market, 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

• Develop category strategies and/or sourcing strategies for the assigned areas of responsibility
• Build deep relationships with cross-functional client stakeholders including retained Procurement teams, business stakeholders, Legal, and Finance
• Identifies and delivers cost savings opportunities across the client's Corporate & Professional Services spend
• Acts as a trusted advisor and SME in the areas of sourcing and negotiating contracts for Professional Services and other Indirect categories
• Achieves cost savings, risk mitigation, and process efficiencies through various value levers
• Leads supplier selection process and competitive bidding (RFx) 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 handoffs to our clients when appropriate.

Required education

None

Preferred education

Bachelor's Degree

Required technical and professional expertise

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in strategic sourcing and category management
• At least 4 years of experience sourcing across Corporate and Professional Services categories, including Contingent Workforce, Consulting, Legal Services, HR and Benefits, and Learning and Development
• Ability and willingness to travel to client locations as required by business needs
• Hybrid role requiring a minimum of three days per week onsite at an IBM or client office. Preferred locations include Research Triangle Park / Raleigh, North Carolina, and Austin, Texas

Preferred technical and professional experience

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

ABOUT BUSINESS UNIT

The 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.

YOUR LIFE @ IBM

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?

ABOUT IBM

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 500 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 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, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILS

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), cash balance pension plan, 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

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

This position was posted on the date cited in the key job details section and is anticipated to remain posted for 21 days from this date or less if not needed to fill the role.

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.

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.

Job Title

Category Manager - Corporate & Professional Services

Date posted

20-Mar-2026

Job ID

102998

City / Township / Village

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, Austin

State / Province

Texas, North Carolina

Country

United States

Work arrangement

Hybrid

Area of work

Enterprise Operations

Employment type

Regular

Contract type

Regular

Projected Minimum Salary per year

95,000.00

Projected Maximum Salary per year

165,000.00

Position type

Professional

Travel required

Up to 60% or 3 days a week (home on weekends - based on project requirements)

Company

(0147) International Business Machines Corporation

Shift

General (daytime)

Is this role a commissionable/sales incentive based position?

No



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