Procurement Operations Team Lead

About Us:

The FT has an uncompromising mission: delivering independent, quality information, news and services to individuals and companies around the globe. It’s the cornerstone of our reputation and the heart of our ambitions for the future. But for our people, the FT offers so much more than what we do. FT people come from all kinds of backgrounds and work across a huge range of disciplines and locations, and findan empowering, warm and welcoming culture that values curiosity and rewards smart, ambitious thinking. Those who are willing to unite around our mission and live our values will find plenty to challene, inspire and interest them. Like the audiences we serve, no two FT people are the same; but together we help our audience be better informed and understand the world around them. It’s a job that’s never mattered more, and a career that can take you anywhere you want to go.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace:

At the FT, we give all employees 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. We'll continue to remove barriers for all, and in particular barriers facing employees from underrepresented groups.

About the role:

The primary role is to manage the facilitation of the end-to-end procure to pay process including the setting up of new suppliers and the processing of the FT’s contracts for the purchase of goods and services using its new automated Procurement system, Coupa. 

This will include leading the contract approval and signatory processes and associated Coupa administration.  Supporting the proactive resolution of issues preventing new supplier requests and contracts from proceeding through to approval and leading implementation of working practices to ensure continued compliance and adherence to internal policies.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Manage the Procurement Operations team to ensure they provide administrative support to smooth the flow of transactions through the E2E processes and to provide reporting on exception activity.

• Leads and manages direct reports and the entire work unit to enable team members to individually and collectively achieve agreed performance outcomes.

• Manage the Procurement Operations element of the Coupa Phase 2 project implementation phase including areas such as supplier onboarding,  the facilitation of the contract signatory process  resolution and any support needed for Purchase Ordering issues.  Leading the creation of a new Procurement Operations team to ensure service levels are achieved.

• Responsible for implementing and managing the full cycle of the Procurement Operations process and ensures they are delivered in an efficient manner and completed in accordance with the Service Level Agreements (SLA).

• Plans and prepares specific tasks, contingency plans and work schedules of employees ensuring coverage in key tasks of the team.

• Defines and recommends the appropriate internal controls to minimise business risk and ensures that these controls are operating as designed.

• Develops and executes short to medium term operational plans that are aligned with the business strategy.

• Manages relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to gather valuable inputs for process improvement initiatives, improve collaboration and performances.

• Acts as a primary point of contact of the department for procurement operation activities.

• Responsible for managing the query management tool (Freshservice) to ensure all queries are being actioned and resolved within agreed SLA timelines.

• Implements and reinforces existing policies and procedures; identifies and recommends opportunities for improvement and manages the implementation of approved enhancements.

• Reviews and generates Key Performance Indicators (KPI) reports and tracks team performance in accordance with the SLAs.

• Evaluates and discusses job performance with staff and trains or arranges training to be provided. 

• Addresses performance or behavioural issues of staff and recommends appropriate corrective action.

• Assists in the review, development and implementation of process improvements or amendments within key areas of Procurement Operations.

• Supports and performs in special tasks and projects that may be assigned.

Experience/skills you need to be successful in this role

• The candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Finance and/or Accountancy or equivalent courses.

• A minimum of 5-6 years work experience in the Procurement or Procure to Pay team with a minimum of three years of supervisory experience.

• Experience in operating Source to Pay (S2P) platforms (Coupa would be preferable) with strong knowledge across core functionalities and modules.

• Strong knowledge of Procurement operations processes, for example contracting, query management, supplier, and content enablement

• Proficient English in both written and verbal formats

• Ability to coordinate and engage with key stakeholder groups across the business, Global and Local business units and suppliers.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to support activities such as reporting and query management.

• Experience in mentoring existing talent.

• Vast experience with promoting a service of excellence and continuous improvements on teams SLA.

• Ability to work in a transformational environment and comfortable adapting to changes in scope, direction and/or timelines.

• Results driven and self-motivated.
• A sound working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google.