**Introduction** At IBM, work is more than a job - it's a calling- To build, To design, To engage, To consult, To think along with clients and stay proactive and 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 with those amazing Procurement skills? If so, let’s talk. **Your role and responsibilities** * Identify, review, and clarify requests from Customer personnel for Third Party Supplier engagements as necessary and commence processing subject to Customer’s processes, policies and the Procedures Manual. * Process and complete tactical buys for purchase requests in accordance with Customer’s processes, policies and the Procedures Manual * Identify requests above the established spend thresholds and engage the appropriate sourcing agent. * Review and provide feedback on tactical buy specifications, as appropriate, to the Customer personnel requesting procurement action developing the specifications. * Provide suggested Third Party Supplier list for approval. * Execute Sourcing Event in accordance with Customer’s processes, policies and the Procedures Manual * Assess Third Party Suppliers, score assessment and recommend Third Party Supplier(s) in accordance with the Category Cards and the Procedures Manual. * Negotiate pricing and key business terms with recommended Third Party Suppliers(s), as appropriate. * Recommend final Third Party Supplier for purchase. * Savings capture and tracking - Capture and track savings associated with Buy Desk activities including Third Party Suppliers selected through any RFx process. * Propose continuous improvement initiatives specific to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the buy desk. * Implement continuous improvement initiatives in accordance with approvals, as applicable. * Where applicable, update strategic sourcing plan in accordance with each annual planning cycle per Customer's direction, as required. * Prepare and maintain within Customer tools / systems, a strategic sourcing project schedule that identifies key sourcing projects for the categories, savings, and key milestones. Provide periodic updates to the relevant Customer stakeholders and procurement leadership according to a mutually agreed format and content. * Review business requirements and collect scope inputs including but not limited to Category Cards, Category Plans, Category Management insights, historic spend, market insights, business insights etc. * Prepare sourcing strategy - Develop sourcing approach to be utilized by the Supplier. * Prepare sourcing strategy - Gather event business requirements and document regulatory compliance needs, initiate Sourcing Events within Customer’s specified sourcing system, develop baseline, cost estimates, and savings projections. Establish an evaluation committee and define evaluation criteria. * Identify potential and incumbent Third Party Suppliers for specific category requirements, as requested by the Category Manager leading the sourcing effort. * Qualify potential Third Party Suppliers to participate in Sourcing Events in accordance with Customer’s legal, regulatory, compliance, plan sponsor, corporate social responsibility, country guidelines, and other established Customer corporate policies and/or as directed by Customer and outlined in the "Supplier Onboarding Services" Schedule. Involve Customer functional experts wherever appropriate. * Develop and propose Third Party Supplier selection and evaluation criteria, weighting, and strategy. Involve Customer functional experts wherever appropriate. * Review Customer contractual SLAs and suggest any relevant adjustments based on market leading practices. * Approve or reject contractual SLAs supporting Third Party Supplier relationship management * Define and submit for approval the savings type and methodology by sourcing project. * Develop Supplier RFx Package based on Customer policies, procedures, and specifications. * Create commodity supplier proposal evaluation criteria (type of savings, benefits tracking, and evaluation criteria). * Execute and facilitate RFx package and event - Manage and communicate with all participants throughout the RFx process, serving as the primary point of contact. * Bid review & analysis - Collect and analyze vendor responses, complete demos and solution sessions as needed, complete vendor comparison and scoring and share with Customer. * Develop negotiation strategy and objectives. * Prepare contracts required as a result of a Sourcing Event using templates per Customer policies and standards, based on provided requirements. * Lead and finalize negotiation with Third Party Supplier(s) based on Customer’s guidelines, policies, and procedures. * Develop and present award recommendation to stakeholders as well as present Third Party Suppliers for regulatory approval. * Prepare award letters. * Award business and execution communications with selected Third Party Supplier following Contracting Services activities, subject to Customer’s prior written approval. * Savings capture and tracking - Capture and track savings associated with Third Party Supplier selected through the RFx process. **Required technical and professional expertise** * Procurement Knowledge: Knowledge of Procurement methods, technologies and processes and ability to quickly learn and adopt new tools, and systems. * Ability to build and maintain effective and productive relationships with colleagues, Stakeholders within a matrix organization. * Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively liaise with internal teams, external stakeholders and vendors. * Accuracy and attention to detail: understand the necessity and value of accuracy and attention to detail; ability to process information with high levels of accuracy. * Strong data and analytical skills. Ability to utilize procurement data to identify insights. * Ability to accurately follow work instructions/ procedures **Preferred technical and professional experience** * Ensuring compliance with procurement policies and regulations. * Ability to manage and analyze large datasets. * High level of integrity and professionalism. * Experience in performing duties as Operations Buyer for Global Organizations * Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills. * Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines. * Extract spend data and create savings tracking reports on monthly basis * Good presentation skills & Excel Basics * Ability to multi task, Client facing skills, strong organization skills