Summary
To manage all aspects of the purchase of materials within the purchasing team. This role is at the core of our drive to deliver best-in-class customer service and cost savings through smart inventory management and strategic purchasing decisions.
Wage
£14,722.50 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Bonus will be paid annually
Training course
Procurement and supply assistant (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday 8.30am- 5.00pm.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
Start date
Friday 28 November 2025
Duration
1 year 7 months
Positions available
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
* Placing purchase orders and work orders to ensure the inventory is kept at optimum levels
* Ensure ERP data is kept updated and maintained to the highest standard
* Responsible for analysing & processing quotations from different suppliers
* Ensure purchase orders are delivered on time in full
* Working closely with Sales to establish firm and forecast requirements for the commodities to purchase
* Best in class responsiveness to our customers and cost savings
* Analysis of data to ensure efficient stocking policies are maintained to deliver commercial benefits and customer service
* Analysis & compilation of reporting metrics for the purchasing team to manage the external supply base
* Point of contact on behalf of the purchase team for certain commodities
* Support the introduction of new products from existing and new suppliers
* To perform other reasonable duties on an ad hoc basis that may be required by the company
Where you'll work
2 Lydiard Fields
Great Western Way
Swindon
SN5 8UB
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
CIPS CORPORATE SERVICES LIMITED
Training course
Procurement and supply assistant (level 3)
What you'll learn
Course contents
* Monitor and order products, stock, equipment and services at appropriate times using the appropriate procurement method.
* Communicate to procurement's internal stakeholders, suppliers and other stakeholders in order to develop effective relationships and networks
* Create, maintain and amend purchase order and contract records.
* Interpret, evaluate and compare procurement information such as historical spend and usage using databases and spreadsheets.
* Present findings and data in all formats e.g. mathematically, written and oral.
* Determine value for money (VFM) and added value through the use of Total Cost of Ownership during the evaluation process, and apply the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT) criteria to the evaluation of quotes and tenders to support the recommendation at award. This may include the inclusion of green, low carbon, sustainability, and ethical criteria.
* Utilise relevant Procurement computer systems or internal databases.
* Select the supplier of the most appropriate products and services for purchases within their remit and place purchase order.
* Undertake appraisal of adhoc and low spend suppliers including setting them up on the purchasing system.
* Effectively research and analyse demand, spend, trends, potential suppliers and industries utilising qualitative and quantitative methods.
* Develop specifications of requirements and requests for quotes/tenders in line with organisational requirements.
* Apply considerations of responsible procurement in evaluating potential suppliers, quotes and tenders.
* Investigate and resolve purchase order, delivery and invoice queries.
* Own low risk value projects such as supply contracts for stationery, personal protective equipment (PPE) or other consumables, and contribute to higher risk activities such as contracts for building services or machinery, and track, log, expedite and review outstanding orders and stock availability where applicable.
* Maintain knowledge on all open orders and their status' and provide assistance to all purchasing staff e.g. expediting and feeding information back to the relevant stakeholders.
* Able to consider the impact of the decision making process when interacting with the supply chain.
* Able to support the contract negotiations and mini competitions with suppliers.
* Monitor and order products, stock, equipment and services at appropriate times using the appropriate procurement method.
* Communicate to procurement's internal stakeholders, suppliers and other stakeholders in order to develop effective relationships and networks
* Create, maintain and amend purchase order and contract records.
* Interpret, evaluate and compare procurement information such as historical spend and usage using databases and spreadsheets.
* Present findings and data in all formats e.g. mathematically, written and oral.
* Determine value for money (VFM) and added value through the use of Total Cost of Ownership during the evaluation process, and apply the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT) criteria to the evaluation of quotes and tenders to support the recommendation at award. This may include the inclusion of green, low carbon, sustainability, and ethical criteria.
* Utilise relevant Procurement computer systems or internal databases.
* Select the supplier of the most appropriate products and services for purchases within their remit and place purchase order.
* Undertake appraisal of adhoc and low spend suppliers including setting them up on the purchasing system.
* Effectively research and analyse demand, spend, trends, potential suppliers and industries utilising qualitative and quantitative methods.
* Develop specifications of requirements and requests for quotes/tenders in line with organisational requirements.
* Apply considerations of responsible procurement in evaluating potential suppliers, quotes and tenders.
* Investigate and resolve purchase order, delivery and invoice queries.
* Own low risk value projects such as supply contracts for stationery, personal protective equipment (PPE) or other consumables, and contribute to higher risk activities such as contracts for building services or machinery, and track, log, expedite and review outstanding orders and stock availability where applicable.
* Maintain knowledge on all open orders and their status' and provide assistance to all purchasing staff e.g. expediting and feeding information back to the relevant stakeholders.
* Able to consider the impact of the decision making process when interacting with the supply chain.
* Able to support the contract negotiations and mini competitions with suppliers.
Training schedule
* Training will be a combination of on-the-job and off-the-job
* The off-the-job element will include classroom-style learning and revision days, as well as one-to-one tutor sessions
* Support, study guides, eBooks, eLearning and all resources will be provided to ensure you are successful
* On successful completion of the apprenticeship, individuals will have achieved the CIPS Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Procurement & Supply, a globally recognised qualification
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
* English (grade Grade/Level 5 or above)
* Maths (grade Grade/Level 5 or above)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Communication skills
* Attention to detail
* Organisation skills
* Problem solving skills
* Logical
* Team working
* Initiative