Associate Procurement Consultant - Indirect

(0147) International Business Machines Corporation; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global technology firm in Texas is seeking an experienced Associate Procurement Consultant to enhance procurement and strategic sourcing for clients. Responsibilities include managing competitive bids, analyzing spend data, and negotiating with suppliers. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's Degree and strong skills in client management and data analysis. A hybrid work arrangement is offered, with frequent travel to client locations.

Benefits

Healthcare benefits

401(k) and pension plan

Generous paid time off

Qualifications

• Prior experience leading end-to-end competitive bids and supplier negotiations.
• Candidates must be willing and able to travel to client locations based on business requirements.

Responsibilities

• Managing multiple competitive bid events for clients.
• Analyzing client's historical spend data to identify sourcing opportunities.
• Building and maintaining stakeholder relationships.
• Negotiating commercial terms with suppliers.
• Analyzing cost savings versus historical spend.
• Identifying opportunities to transform procurement organization.
• Supporting Global Category Leaders with strategies.
• Collaborating with peer consultants for shared strategies.

Skills

Client Relationship Management

Data Analysis

Strategic Thinking

Accuracy and Attention to Detail

Dealing with Disorder

Microsoft Office

Procurement Knowledge

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Law, or applicable field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

IBM is seeking highly motivated individuals with prior procurement experience to join our Procurement BPO team of procurement consulting professionals. Our team provides procurement services to IBM’s external clients across all industry segments.

We are seeking to fill the role of an Associate Procurement Consultant to support our clients’ procurement and strategic sourcing requirements in indirect spend categories such as: Facilities, MRO, Capital Equipment, Real Estate, Corporate & Professional Services, Information Technology, Marketing, Travel, Logistics, and Contingent Labor. This role requires regular business travel to remote client locations based on project requirements.

Role and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Managing multiple competitive bid events for clients (i.e., Request for Proposal, Request for Quote, Request for Information, Reverse Auctions etc.) within assigned spend categories
• Analyzing client’s historical spend data in one or more categories in order to identify sourcing opportunities, support category strategy development, and measure compliance with supplier agreements
• Building and maintaining stakeholder relationships across all levels of the client’s business, procurement, and legal organizations
• Negotiating commercial terms and facilitating contracting processes with the client’s suppliers
• Analyzing and documenting cost savings versus historical spend to ensure IBM meets or exceeds contractual savings commitments to our clients
• Identifying opportunities to transform the client’s procurement organization and policies, and to support the client in achieving its strategic business objectives
• Supporting Global Category Leaders and Category Managers with development of category strategies and developing sourcing project strategies
• Collaborating with peer consultants supporting our other clients to share and leverage useful templates, strategies, lessons learned, and case studies

Required Education and Experience

None

Preferred Education

Bachelor's Degree

Required Technical and Professional Expertise

Degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Law, or another applicable field. Prior experience leading end-to-end competitive bids and supplier negotiations. Candidates must be willing and able to travel to client locations based on business requirements.

Preferred Technical and Professional Experience

Client Relationship Management: Ability to build rapport with clients and maintain professionalism in communications with all levels of client stakeholders. On-time delivery of high-quality analyses and presentations.

Data Analysis: Ability to utilize procurement and financial data to understand spending trends within a business, and to leverage that information to identify procurement insights that result in process efficiencies or cost savings for the client.

Strategic Thinking: Understanding of the importance of "big picture" thinking and planning. Ability to apply business acumen to focus on key success factors for the organization.

Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy and attention to detail; ability to process information with high levels of accuracy.

Dealing with Disorder: Knowledge of tactics and ability to function effectively in the face of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity.

Microsoft Office: Strong knowledge and proficiency of Microsoft Office suite. Ability to efficiently and accurately analyze procurement data using Microsoft Excel, and to build client-ready presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint.

Procurement Knowledge: Knowledge of Procurement methods, technologies and processes.

Work Arrangement

Hybrid (minimum 3-days per week in an IBM or client office)

Location

Research Triangle Park / Raleigh, North Carolina or Austin, Texas

IBM Benefits

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 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.