Sr. Sourcing Professional - Marketing services
IBM, Durham, North Carolina, United States, 27703
Introduction
IBM is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Sourcing Professional with deep expertise in Marketing Services. In this strategic role, you will shape how IBM partners with leading creative, media, digital, PR, and event agencies worldwide. You will lead complex negotiations, build global category strategies, and influence how IBM optimizes and invests in its Marketing ecosystem.
This role is ideal for a strategic thinker who thrives in fast-paced, creative environments, enjoys advising senior leaders, and excels at structuring and negotiating sophisticated Marketing Services agreements.
Your role and responsibilities
Category Leadership & Team Enablement
Provide coaching, category education, and skill development to sourcing and delivery teams, ensuring strong capability across the Marketing Services category.
Assess team strengths, identify gaps, and guide resolution of sourcing challenges using structured problem-solving methodologies.
Promote knowledge sharing through best practices, insights, and facilitation skills that elevate category performance.
Strategic Sourcing & Process Excellence
Lead end-to-end sourcing for Marketing Services, including creative agencies, media buying, digital production, PR, events, and related spend areas.
Facilitate sourcing processes that are compliant, auditable, and aligned with internal controls and procurement policies.
Negotiate complex MSAs, SOWs, renewals, and licensing agreements with top-tier global agencies.
Develop global category strategies informed by market intelligence, supplier innovation, and performance analytics.
Executive Engagement & Stakeholder Influence
Present insights, recommendations, and negotiation outcomes to senior leadership with clarity and impact.
Act as a sourcing authority in client meetings, workshops, and solutioning sessions, demonstrating deep category expertise.
Build and maintain strong executive-level relationships with internal stakeholders and strategic agency partners.
Client-Facing & Sales Support
Represent BPO Delivery in sales cycles, performing due diligence, preparing materials, and delivering sourcing-focused sales presentations.
Partner with pursuit teams to articulate IBM's sourcing capabilities, market insights, and value proposition.
Client Satisfaction & Business Outcomes
Interact and collaborate across internal teams and with external clients to drive desired results, enhance client satisfaction, and improve sales productivity.
Support business development initiatives by showcasing sourcing excellence and thought leadership.
Required technical and professional expertise
10+ years of strategic sourcing experience with deep subject-matter expertise in Marketing Services, including creative, media, digital production, PR, and events.
Proven success negotiating complex Marketing Services contracts (MSAs, SOWs, licensing agreements) and leading large-scale, multi-party negotiations.
Strong experience managing agency partnerships and developing global category strategies informed by market intelligence and performance analytics.
Excellent communication, analytical, and executive-presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders across marketing, finance, and business units.
Prior experience in consulting or procurement outsourcing (preferred) with demonstrated ability to operate in dynamic, client-facing environments.
Ability to travel on a limited basis for stakeholder or client engagements.
Preferred technical and professional experience
CPSM or equivalent procurement certification.
MBA or advanced degree preferred.
Understanding of data privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA) affecting digital marketing and agency operations.
IBM is committed to creating a diverse environment and 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, caste, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, veteran status, or other characteristics. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.
IBM is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Sourcing Professional with deep expertise in Marketing Services. In this strategic role, you will shape how IBM partners with leading creative, media, digital, PR, and event agencies worldwide. You will lead complex negotiations, build global category strategies, and influence how IBM optimizes and invests in its Marketing ecosystem.
This role is ideal for a strategic thinker who thrives in fast-paced, creative environments, enjoys advising senior leaders, and excels at structuring and negotiating sophisticated Marketing Services agreements.
Your role and responsibilities
Category Leadership & Team Enablement
Provide coaching, category education, and skill development to sourcing and delivery teams, ensuring strong capability across the Marketing Services category.
Assess team strengths, identify gaps, and guide resolution of sourcing challenges using structured problem-solving methodologies.
Promote knowledge sharing through best practices, insights, and facilitation skills that elevate category performance.
Strategic Sourcing & Process Excellence
Lead end-to-end sourcing for Marketing Services, including creative agencies, media buying, digital production, PR, events, and related spend areas.
Facilitate sourcing processes that are compliant, auditable, and aligned with internal controls and procurement policies.
Negotiate complex MSAs, SOWs, renewals, and licensing agreements with top-tier global agencies.
Develop global category strategies informed by market intelligence, supplier innovation, and performance analytics.
Executive Engagement & Stakeholder Influence
Present insights, recommendations, and negotiation outcomes to senior leadership with clarity and impact.
Act as a sourcing authority in client meetings, workshops, and solutioning sessions, demonstrating deep category expertise.
Build and maintain strong executive-level relationships with internal stakeholders and strategic agency partners.
Client-Facing & Sales Support
Represent BPO Delivery in sales cycles, performing due diligence, preparing materials, and delivering sourcing-focused sales presentations.
Partner with pursuit teams to articulate IBM's sourcing capabilities, market insights, and value proposition.
Client Satisfaction & Business Outcomes
Interact and collaborate across internal teams and with external clients to drive desired results, enhance client satisfaction, and improve sales productivity.
Support business development initiatives by showcasing sourcing excellence and thought leadership.
Required technical and professional expertise
10+ years of strategic sourcing experience with deep subject-matter expertise in Marketing Services, including creative, media, digital production, PR, and events.
Proven success negotiating complex Marketing Services contracts (MSAs, SOWs, licensing agreements) and leading large-scale, multi-party negotiations.
Strong experience managing agency partnerships and developing global category strategies informed by market intelligence and performance analytics.
Excellent communication, analytical, and executive-presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders across marketing, finance, and business units.
Prior experience in consulting or procurement outsourcing (preferred) with demonstrated ability to operate in dynamic, client-facing environments.
Ability to travel on a limited basis for stakeholder or client engagements.
Preferred technical and professional experience
CPSM or equivalent procurement certification.
MBA or advanced degree preferred.
Understanding of data privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA) affecting digital marketing and agency operations.
IBM is committed to creating a diverse environment and 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, caste, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, veteran status, or other characteristics. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.