This global procurement role is responsible for supporting the various procurement activities and tasks that are not sourcing specific. This involves several job role specialties such as business operations, policies and practices, global compliance, client services bid management, supplier contract development and negotiation in support of complex services engagements, it also includes client services by geography management and ensures maximum value add is attained.
A strong knowledge of global procurement practices are essential in this job role and being able to apply procurement business techniques ensures the client's needs are being understood and satisfied, the skill of managing client experience is now an expected skill in procurement, and the need to be knowledgeable in end to end procurement is evident. Global procurement are a support function that monitors the business value being created and applying analytic skills allow the procurement professional better utilize the cognitive tools being developed.
Responsibilities may include interfacing and supporting IBM's country, regional and/or worldwide procurement teams and processes and supporting IBM strategic supply issues. Therefore strong communication skills are an integral part of this job role, and as the need for "quicker to market" is driving our business then adoption and application of agile techniques and practices is becoming a key element of the procurement professionals skill set. Leads technical support and subject matter expert.
Environment:
Experience and working knowledge in key functional processes. Awareness of business activities.
Communication/Negotiation:
Exchanges information, ideas and concepts. Requires negotiation to achieve coordination.
Problem Solving:
Use advanced technical knowledge to perform and apply new technical procedures to the business processes. May recommend improvements to existing technical procedures based on understanding of new technologies.
Contribution/Leadership:
Working individually or as a team member, may set work priorities within well established procedures and objectives. May provide coordination of activities. Gives technical direction. Viewed as a technical expert.
Impact on Business/Scope:
Accountable for individual results, and for the impact of the results on the team, interrelated activities, or project.
General Purpose
The Procurement Operations Buyer is the foundation role for becoming a Procurement expert and acts as an entry point for all Procurement related activities of a client organization. A Procurement Operations Buyer is responsible for Procurement advisory services, full buyer purchase order placement and for providing support for procurement applications and process related help requests.
Main Responsibility Areas
- Review requisition requirements, enforce category directives and approve for automated purchase order generation
- Liaise with requesters/suppliers/category managers for additional information or any questions
- Act as subject matter expert in end to end purchasing processes
- Provide guidance for client specific processes and procedures, including the procurement policy and the execution of category strategies
- Provide support in new supplier setups or extensions
- Interface with clients and suppliers on payment issues
- Ensure audit readiness of all purchasing documents
- Work with Accounts Payable in resolving blocked and parked invoices
- Follow call quality standards to conduct call
- If questioned, provide ‘how do I’ (walkthrough) application or status support
Main Contacts / Clients
Suppliers, Category Managers, Sourcing Buyers, Requesters from external client, Accounts Payables, Management (Direct); Vendors/Suppliers
- Fluency in English
- Demonstrated understanding of how to translate business requirements into Procurement operations or specifications with best value and customer service in mind
- Apply strong oral and verbal communication skills
- Strong time management and prioritization skills
- Attention to detail and quality driven approach
- Self-motivated, assertive and a strong team player
- Apply Knowledge of Business Organization and Processes, Work instructions
- Apply Knowledge of Category Strategy
- Apply Business Controls Requirements
- Apply skills to ensure high client and stakeholder satisfaction
Fluency in German or in French / Spanish is a benefit