Research Assistant

About Us

Across the FT Group, our people are united by a mission to deliver world-class information, news and services to our global audiences. We’re a digital-first organisation made up of journalists, technologists, product managers, event planners, strategists, commercial and finance experts, marketing and communications specialists – and much more. Our strength is in our employees.

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, Print, Distribution, Editorial, Marketing, Advertising, HR, Professional Services, Property and Travel. The department works across all FT business functions and geographies.

The Procurement Manager is responsible for the management of the full procurement life cycle of the group’s strategic and business critical suppliers from strategy formulation, assisting business functions with the definition of their requirements, market awareness, tendering and contracts award, through to transition, contract management and termination. This role will be have responsibility for specific businesses areas and will include supporting our inhouse Events business FT Live as well as supporting with technology requirements. The role reports to the FT Procurement Director.

Key Responsibilities

Responsible for the management of 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, including advising on developing business cases
Improving productivity through the development of new tender and evaluation documentation and enhancement of existing documentation
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
Ensuring appropriate business involvement at all stages of the procurement process
Leading the negotiation of complex commercial and contract terms
Drafting contractual terms and conditions, involving FT Legal when required
Assessing supplier performance and compliance with commercial terms
Employing best practice procurement methods to manage risk and optimise value
Managing procurement projects proactively through to conclusion
Reporting on procurement activities, including savings and benefits achieved, to the Head of 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.

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.
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
Strong supplier performance and contract management skills
Proven track record managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels including Board directors, coping with ambiguity and resolving conflict
Strong project management skills
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
Degree, MCIPS or other high-level qualification is desirable but not essential.

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 are 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, please contact a member of our HR team who will be happy to help.