Procurement Manager

About Us

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Our commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace

At the FT, we aim for employees across all regions to have a voice so that diverse perspectives are heard and valued. We believe that a supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves at work and have the flexibility they need to meet their personal needs. We'll continue to remove barriers for all, and in particular barriers facing employees from underrepresented groups.

 The Role / Position Overview

FT Procurement is responsible for acquiring corporate goods and services from external sources on behalf of the FT Group.  The department manages the end to end process to ensure goods and services provide best value for money when taking account of business requirements, quality standards, volumes, timescales, locations, risks and other factors.  Goods and service types procured include: Technology, Facilities, Data, Distribution, Editorial, Marketing, Advertising, HR, Professional Services, Property and Travel.  The department works across all FT business functions and geographies.

The Procurement Manager will be supporting Head of Technology Procurement with sourcing activities including assisting business functions with the definition of their requirements, market awareness, supporting with RFP processes and contracts award, through to transition, contract management including the renewal process.

Previous experience and knowledge in relation to Technology, Data and IT Services will be preferred.

Key Responsibilities

Supporting with activities covering the full procurement life cycle, including:

• Building and developing effective relationships with key business stakeholders.

• Gaining a detailed understanding of business needs and developing procurement strategies for goods and services with key business stakeholders

• Assisting the business with the development of specific requirements for planned procurements,

• Undertaking supplier assessments and selection and supporting business stakeholders, including due diligence on suppliers

• Reviewing commercial models/options to ensure appropriate fit with both business requirements and supplier strategies/business practices/supplier strength

• Assessing commercial risks and developing mitigation plans with agreed actions

• Leading and supporting Supplier Management

• Ensuring appropriate business involvement at all stages of the procurement process

• Supporting on and leading supplier commercial negotiations

• Managing procurement projects proactively through to conclusion

• Reporting on procurement activities, including savings and benefits achieved, to the Head of Technology Procurement

• Challenging and influencing business stakeholders where appropriate to ensure the best outcome for FT

• Conducting market research on current best practices and future market trends,

• Supporting and enabling Procurement colleagues through sharing information, best practices, lessons learned; and mentoring less experienced Procurement staff.

• Managing the contracts renewal process for specific contracts as required by the Head of Technology Procurement.

Required Skills / Experience 

• Business degree or similar qualification, or equivalent commercial work experience

• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in a variety of procurement roles within a blue-chip, commercial environment ideally with experience in either events or production procurement

• Experience of working in a non mandated Procurement environment and ability to sell Procurement to stakeholders at different levels of seniority.

• Knowledge and experience of working in Technology Procurement. Past experience working in the Data and IT Services categories will also be beneficial however not mandatory.

• Highly articulate, both oral and written and numerate

• Outstanding relationship building, negotiation and influencing skills

• Excellent commercial acumen with experience of a variety of different commercial models

• Excellent analytical and organisational skills

• Proven track record managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels including Board directors, coping with ambiguity and resolving conflict

• Proven ability to prioritise and manage multiple concurrent activities and delivery to tight deadlines

• Excellent interpersonal skills, being both a team player and highly motivated self-starter

• Very good working knowledge of use of common IT packages 

What’s in it for you? Our Benefits

Our benefits vary depending on location, but we are committed to providing best in class perks across all our offices as well as an inclusive environment to develop your career. Examples of our benefits include; generous annual leave allowances, flexible working (including working from home), medical cover, enhanced maternity & paternity packages, subsidised gym memberships and Giving Back opportunities. Full details of our benefits can be found here.

Further Information

The FT is committed to providing an inclusive working environment for all. We are an equal opportunities employer who seeks to recruit and appoint the best talent regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We also promote flexible working and will consider specific requests around flexibility for all roles where it can be accommodated. Please let us know if you require any adjustments as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements, or have any questions, talent@ft.com and a member of our team will be happy to help.

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