SAP Ariba Supplier Enablement lead

At IBM, work is more than a job - it's a calling: To build. To design. To code. To consult. To think along with clients and sell. To make markets. To invent. 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? If so, lets talk. The SAP Ariba Supplier Enablement Lead is responsible for driving the onboarding, activation, and adoption of suppliers onto SAP Ariba solutions. This role owns supplier enablement strategy, execution, and governance to ensure suppliers are successfully transacting on Ariba (POs, invoices, catalogs, and payments) in alignment with Procure‑to‑Pay transformation objectives. The lead partners with Procurement, AP, Legal, IT, Change Management, and external enablement providers to deliver a scalable, compliant, and supplier‑friendly enablement experience across global supplier populations. Key Responsibilities Supplier Enablement Strategy & Leadership Define and execute the SAP Ariba supplier enablement strategy aligned with P2P transformation goals Segment suppliers by complexity, volume, geography, and transaction type (PO, non‑PO, catalog, invoicing) Establish onboarding waves, timelines, and readiness criteria Serve as the primary owner of supplier enablement governance and execution SAP Ariba Functional Ownership Lead enablement across SAP Ariba solutions including: Ariba Network (AN) Ariba Buying & Invoicing Supplier Lifecycle & Performance (SLP) (if applicable) Guided Buying (if applicable) Support enablement for: PO flip eInvoicing (standard, credit memo, PO and Non‑PO) Catalog setup (hosted, CIF, punch‑out) Supplier profiles and compliance documentation Supplier Onboarding & Adoption Drive supplier onboarding activities from initial outreach through go‑live readiness Coordinate supplier communications, training sessions, and onboarding support Resolve supplier configuration and transaction issues in partnership with Ariba and internal teams Track supplier activation, transaction success rates, and issue resolution Cross‑Functional Collaboration Partner with Procurement, AP, Tax, Legal, and IT to align supplier enablement requirements Support contract and policy alignment related to supplier network participation Coordinate with Change Management and Training teams to support supplier and internal readiness Manage third‑party enablement partners or SAP Ariba enablement services Reporting, Risk & Compliance Track enablement KPIs (onboarding progress, transaction adoption, error rates) Provide executive‑level reporting on supplier readiness and adoption risks Ensure compliance with tax, regulatory, and internal control requirements Support audit requests related to supplier transactions and documentation Continuous Improvement Identify opportunities to streamline onboarding and reduce supplier friction Standardize enablement playbooks, templates, and operational processes Capture supplier and internal feedback to improve the enablement experience Support post‑go‑live optimization and supplier adoption expansion Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Information Systems, or related field 7+ years of experience in SAP Ariba, with strong focus on supplier enablement Hands‑on experience with Ariba Network onboarding and supplier transactions Proven delivery experience in large‑scale Ariba or P2P implementations Strong stakeholder communication and issue‑resolution skills Preferred Qualifications Experience with global or multi‑entity supplier onboarding Knowledge of Procure‑to‑Pay, Accounts Payable, and procurement operations Experience managing enablement vendors or offshore teams SAP Ariba certification(s) Previous work in manufacturing, life sciences, retail, utilities, or regulated industries Core Competencies SAP Ariba Supplier Enablement Ariba Network & P2P Processes Supplier Communications & Change Management Cross‑Functional Program Execution Risk & Issue Management Executive & Supplier Stakeholder Engagement Why This Role High‑visibility role critical to P2P transformation success Direct impact on supplier adoption, invoice automation, and payment efficiency Opportunity to shape supplier experience and global enablement standards Partner with enterprise procurement and finance leadership United States Consulting Hybrid Professional Austin, US (0147) International Business Machines Corporation