This role manages the Ongoing/Tactical Buying Process for Clients. A Tactical Buyer also supports the Category Teams in developing & implementing Strategic Sourcing plans.

Scope of duties:

• Manage exceptions to established category strategy
• Support one-off tactical sourcing of client requirements
• Provide multi-category support
• Align with Category teams as required
• Execute tactical sourcing events
• Communicate and negotiate with clients and suppliers through all levels of organization
• Analyze changing client/market conditions
• Educate and advise clients and suppliers on strategies
• Interface with strategic sourcing team to implement strategic contracts at the tactical level
• Support client specific category strategy – redirect tactical spend through strategic contracts/channels as appropriate
• Perform periodic analysis within managed commodity scope to identify savings, define efficiency opportunities and tactical initiatives that should be undertaken
• Promote process efficiencies through focus on automated channels where applicable
• Identify appropriate potential suppliers to fit clients business objectives
• Negotiate and contract with exception suppliers driving additional savings and value
• Communicate supplier recommendations to clients based on objective criteria and fit for client business
• Track and report supplier performance and resolve any supplier performance issues in conjunction with the Category team
• Identify any exception opportunities to the Category team and make recommendations on strategic approaches that might be taken
• Interact with parallel organizations in other geos to assure consistent global approach
• Support periodic key stakeholder meetings with client to review commodity strategy and activities
• Optimize supply base opportunities across managed commodities
• Act in compliance with all relevant IBM business conduct guidelines and client driven procurement processes

Skills and abilities:

• 2+ years of experience in sourcing
• Fluent Dutch and English
• Strong negotiation / communication skills
• Strong general sourcing knowledge / procurement background
• Applied Project Management skills
• Experience with supporting various categories