Description

Introduction

A career in IBM Consulting is rooted by long-term relationships and close collaboration with clients across the globe.

You'll work with visionaries across multiple industries to improve the hybrid cloud and AI journey for the most innovative and valuable companies in the world. Your ability to accelerate impact and make meaningful change for your clients is enabled by our strategic partner ecosystem and our robust technology platforms across the IBM portfolio; including Software and Red Hat.

Curiosity and a constant quest for knowledge serve as the foundation to success in IBM Consulting. In your role, you'll be encouraged to challenge the norm, investigate ideas outside of your role, and come up with creative solutions resulting in ground breaking impact for a wide network of clients. Our culture of evolution and empathy centers on long-term career growth and development opportunities in an environment that embraces your unique skills and experience.

Your role and responsibilities

The Strategic Sourcing Category Manager supports a multi-billion dollar Federal acquisition program by leading category management and strategic sourcing efforts. This role is responsible for monitoring the category market, identifying trends and innovations, and applying insights to improve procurement efficiency and value.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead development and execution of category management strategies for category-related products and services.
• Monitor market trends, technologies, and innovations to inform sourcing decisions.
• Analyze category spend to identify cost-saving opportunities, improve quality, and enhance supplier performance.
• Conduct market research and data analysis to support sourcing strategies.
• Develop and implement sourcing plans that align with program needs and Federal acquisition regulations.
• Collaborate with suppliers, contractors, and Federal stakeholders to prioritize sourcing opportunities and mitigate risks.
• Ensure sourcing activities are fair, transparent, and competitive.
• Support continuity of critical supplies and services through proactive risk management.

Required education

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred education

Master's Degree

Required technical and professional expertise

• Minimum 10 years of experience in strategic sourcing, category management, and supply chain leadership roles, including developing and implementing sourcing strategies.
• Deep understanding of Federal Acquisition Regulations, contracting vehicles, procurement planning, and supply chain best practices.
• Proven ability to assess multiple sourcing options based on cost, performance, risk, and strategic alignment, with familiarity in supply market trends and supplier capabilities.
• Strong communication skills with experience conveying complex analysis to non-technical audiences and engaging with clients and stakeholders in dynamic, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional, interdisciplinary teams in client-facing roles, driving collaboration and performance across procurement initiatives.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Federal security clearance with the U.S. government

Preferred technical and professional experience

• Strong background in strategic sourcing, category management, and supply chain management.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to think strategically, drive innovation, and lead cross-functional initiatives.

ABOUT BUSINESS UNIT

IBM Consulting is IBM's consulting and global professional services business, with market leading capabilities in business and technology transformation. With deep expertise in many industries, we offer strategy, experience, technology, and operations services to many of the most innovative and valuable companies in the world. Our people are focused on accelerating our clients' businesses through the power of collaboration. We believe in the power of technology responsibly used to help people, partners and the planet.

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 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

Federal Strategic Sourcing and Category Manager

Date posted

30-Oct-2025

Job ID

70348

City / Township / Village

Annapolis Junction, ALEXANDRIA, WASHINGTON, HERNDON, Bethesda, Frederick

State / Province

Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia

Country

United States

Work arrangement

Hybrid

Area of work

Consulting

Employment type

Regular

Contract type

Regular

Projected Minimum Salary per year

118,000.00

Projected Maximum Salary per year

203,000.00

Position type

Professional

Travel required

Some travel may be required based on business demand

Company

(0147) International Business Machines Corporation

Shift

General (daytime)

Is this role a commissionable/sales incentive based position?

No



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