Procurement Operations Specialist

At IBM Finance & Operations, we are the backbone of IBM’s transformation driving efficiency, transparency, and smart decision-making across the business. Our teams provide the insight and discipline that guide strategy, ensure financial strength, and enable IBM to invest in innovation and growth. Working in Finance & Operations means combining analytical skills with collaboration and curiosity. You’ll partner with colleagues across functions and geographies, using data, technology, and process excellence to create solutions that improve performance and deliver measurable impact. IBM offers continuous learning, career development, and a culture that values diverse perspectives. Join us and be part of a global team that keeps IBM moving forward, while building your own future in a dynamic and evolving environment.

As a Procurement Operations Specialist, you will provide professional support for purchase order processing and carry out tactical sourcing activities. Your role involves negotiating with suppliers, setting up and maintaining relationships with IBM clients and suppliers, and ensuring compliance with IBM Procurement policies.

Your primary responsibilities will include:

• Purchase Order Processing: Receive requests from IBM clients, negotiate with suppliers, and complete purchases while following IBM Procurement policies.

• Relationship Management: Set up and maintain relationships with IBM clients and suppliers through effective written and verbal communication.

• Problem Resolution: Apply problem determination skills to resolve issues in the purchasing process and minimize negative impact on the client's experience.

• Procurement Tool Utilization: Understand and effectively use procurement-related tools to process POs and document supplier/PO related information.

• Invoice Resolution: Clear aged open POs and resolve blocked invoices for suppliers.

Required Qualifications / Experience:

· Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain, Procurement, Sourcing, or a related field.

· Typically possesses 1-4 years of experience in procurement operations, PR to PO, sourcing support, finance operations, shared services, or customer support functions.

· Experience working within SLA-driven environments and supporting global stakeholders.

· Experience in Supplier Enablement, Vendor Management, Procurement Operations, or Procure-to-Pay operations.

· Strong knowledge of purchase order-based invoice matching, three-way matching, and goods receipt/invoice receipt reconciliation.

· Experience with SAP, Oracle, Ariba, Coupa, or comparable ERP and procurement platforms.

Strong understanding of supplier onboarding, vendor master data, supplier lifecycle management, procurement controls, and compliance requirements.

· Familiarity with invoice exception management, supplier query resolution, and case management workflows.

· Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root-cause analysis skills.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective stakeholder and supplier engagement.

· Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and reporting or analytics tools.