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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support procurement management and vendor relationships while collaborating with various teams.
- Company: Join AlphaSights, a dynamic firm focused on optimising procurement in a high-growth environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 vacation days, health insurance, and the option to work from home twice a week.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a supportive culture that values transparency and professional development.
- Qualifications: No prior experience needed; just bring your enthusiasm and a Bachelor's degree.
- Other info: This role is perfect for penultimate-year university students seeking an industrial placement.
Start Date: September 2025
About this role
This is a role based in our London Office and reporting into the Procurement Manager. Sitting within the global Finance function, and working closely with senior stakeholders in Operations, Legal and Finance, the Associate will be involved in the management of tail spend across all procurement categories, while supporting the Procurement Manager on strategic projects from time to time. Core categories include: software, IT infrastructure, professional services, HR services, facilities management, insurance and utilities.
The successful candidate should be a team player and will be focused primarily on the tactical elements of supplier relationships at AlphaSights. They will require a pragmatic approach, necessitated by our rapidly-evolving, high-growth environment.
We view procurement not as a central policing function, but rather as a strategic partner to ensure we continue to optimise vendor contracts, value for money, supply chain, risk profile, and internal processes. This is an ideal opportunity for a young procurement professional to make their mark on a dynamic, high-growth firm seeking to optimise procurement.
What you will do
- Business Partnering and Stakeholder Management
- Partner with stakeholders across the business to ensure optimal buying and vendor management behaviours.
- Be seen as a partner to drive efficient, value optimised, and intelligently contracted procurement.
- Negotiation and Onboarding
- Evaluate and when appropriate challenge the business cases to onboard and renew suppliers.
- Ensure prospective vendors meet all necessary conditions to partner with (e.g. Know Your Supplier / Data Security), by implementing the procurement processes related to onboarding, supplier management and offboarding.
- Assist with the negotiation and implementation of supplier contracts.
- Onboard suppliers smoothly, ensuring integration with all relevant teams (e.g. Accounts Payables, IT, Commercial Teams).
- Cost Analysis and Value Optimisation
- Analyse quotations considering business requirements and the various challenges that the teams may encounter during the contract period.
- Propose methods to optimise the investment in suppliers, including sourcing alternative suppliers and identifying alternative commercial models.
- Administration
- Take ownership of procurement resources including the procurement system database and supplier folders.
Ensuring proper contract implementation and management processes are undertaken.
- Take ownership of procurement resources including the procurement system database and supplier folders.
Requirements
This is an entry-level role that does not require any prior experience. The successful candidate should rather possess:
- Results Orientation and Drive
- The successful candidate will be a resourceful self-starter with strong prioritisation skills and ability to work in a team environment. Resilience and determination are key qualities for this role, as is a meticulous mindset and consistent attention to detail.
- Stakeholder Management and Interpersonal Skills
- Working as a sparring partner across all functions, levels, and regions, the successful candidate will need to be a clear and effective communicator and possess high Emotional Intelligence, which will make them able to:
- Quickly forge trusted and positive professional relationships.
- Convey expertise along with the humility to accept feedback and others’ points of view in a highly collaborative environment.
- Working as a sparring partner across all functions, levels, and regions, the successful candidate will need to be a clear and effective communicator and possess high Emotional Intelligence, which will make them able to:
- Commercial Acumen and Negotiation Skills
- A strong commercial mindset is required for this role; the successful candidate will get a kick out of always unlocking optimal value through contract configuration and intelligent negotiation.
- Numeracy and Analytical Skills
- The role requires the candidate to be comfortable working with numbers and spreadsheets, and to possess at the beginning basic Excel/Google Sheet skills.
- Creativity and Adaptability
- This role requires a tolerance for ambiguity, as well as the ability to conceive of elegant and efficient new systems and workarounds.
- Track Record
- Proven record of achievement in professional, academic and/or extracurricular activities. A Bachelor’s Degree is a requirement for this role.
- English Fluency
- The candidate needs to show professional proficiency in spoken and written English.
- University
- You must be in your penultimate year of university with an industrial placement year
What you can expect
- High level of autonomy and ownership of the role from day one.
- A team-oriented, strongly supportive culture emphasizing transparency, continuous feedback, professional development, and celebrating wins.
Compensation and benefits
- 4% matched pension contribution on qualified earnings
- Comprehensive private health insurance coverage and dental insurance
- 25 vacation days, 8 bank holidays, and business closure over the Christmas break.
- Option to WFH Thursday & Friday
- State-of-the-art office with amenities in the City of London
AlphaSights is an equal-opportunity employer.
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Placement Student, Procurement employer: AlphaSights
Contact Detail:
AlphaSights Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Placement Student, Procurement
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with procurement processes and best practices. Understanding how procurement functions within a business will help you engage effectively with stakeholders and demonstrate your knowledge during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the procurement field. Attend industry events or connect with procurement groups on platforms like LinkedIn to gain insights and potentially find mentors who can guide you through the application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your analytical skills and how you've used them in past experiences, even if they are academic or extracurricular. Being able to articulate your approach to problem-solving will set you apart during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Research AlphaSights and its procurement strategies. Tailoring your conversations to reflect an understanding of their specific needs and challenges will show that you're genuinely interested in the role and ready to contribute from day one.
We think you need these skills to ace Placement Student, Procurement
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant skills and experiences that align with the job description. Focus on your teamwork, negotiation skills, and any analytical abilities you possess, as these are key for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role at AlphaSights. Refer to specific aspects of the job description, such as stakeholder management and cost analysis, to demonstrate your understanding and interest in the position.
Showcase Your Academic Achievements: Since this is an entry-level role, highlight your academic achievements and any relevant extracurricular activities. Mention your degree and how it has prepared you for a career in procurement.
Prepare for Questions: Think about potential questions related to the role and prepare thoughtful responses. Be ready to discuss how you would approach vendor management and cost optimisation, as well as your ability to work in a team.
How to prepare for a job interview at AlphaSights
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the key responsibilities. Be prepared to discuss how your skills align with the requirements, especially in areas like stakeholder management and negotiation.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Since the role involves cost analysis and value optimisation, be ready to demonstrate your numeracy and analytical skills. You might be asked to solve a problem or analyse a scenario, so practice working with numbers and spreadsheets beforehand.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Expect questions that assess your interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence. Think of examples from your academic or extracurricular activities where you've successfully collaborated with others or resolved conflicts.
✨Express Your Enthusiasm for Procurement
Convey your passion for procurement and how you see it as a strategic partner rather than just a policing function. Discuss any relevant projects or experiences that highlight your interest in optimising vendor contracts and supplier relationships.
