Summary
With collaboration, innovation and a laser-like customer focus at its core, M&L Defence Solutions is growing a strong, long-term UK product and support business. It focuses on four key areas: Future Warship Support, Underwater Battlespace, Future Land Capability and Future Air Defence.
Wage
£22,500 a year
We offer a competitive salary with annual increases throughout the apprenticeship and a range of employee benefits including, free higher education as well as access to the Company pension and share saving scheme
Training course
Procurement and supply chain practitioner (level 4)
Hours
Shifts to be confirmed.
37 hours a week
Start date
Monday 7 September 2026
Duration
3 years
Positions available
2
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
* Work from engineering drawings to develop patterns to enable the fabrication of components and assemblies to the required specification.
* Utilise a range of powered and non-powered tools and equipment to include but not limited to guillotine, rollers, folding machines and drills.
Where you'll work
BAE Systems
The Old Iron Foundry, PP204
The Parade, HM Naval Base
Portsmouth, Hampshire
PO1 3NB
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 chain practitioner (level 4)
What you'll learn
Course contents
* Manage relationships with stakeholders.
* Interpret business requirements by assessing the demand for the product or service.
* Undertake market analysis to establish potential routes to market.
* Conduct benchmarking to evaluate costs against industry standards.
* Prepare or contribute to the drafting of a sourcing plan which meets business needs, including corporate social responsibility factors.
* Use the organisation's documentation designed for commercial procurement processes for the supply of goods and services.
* Notify potential suppliers of proposal requirements.
* Use selection and award criteria to source requirements from external suppliers evidencing how supplier bids are evaluated against them.
* Analyse the financial implications of decisions and identify cost-saving opportunities.
* Liaise and negotiate with suppliers and stakeholders to ensure the timely delivery of purchased goods and services.
* Support contract award and briefing of suppliers in line with the organisations processes and governance.
* Monitor and manage contract performance to meet time, costs, service, and quality objectives.
* Manage contract performance and advise suppliers on any areas for improvement.
* Maintain contract documentation such as change control, version control.
* Use IT and software to produce spreadsheets and presentation packages to communicate information.
* Identify, raise, and facilitate discussions with stakeholders to resolve any issues or risks.
* Analyses sustainability challenges and risks at each stage of the product or contract life cycle.
* Manage information in accordance with policy and processes.
* Continuously review work processes to identify and eliminate inefficiencies and simplify workflow.
* Use available systems and tools to identify relevant data.
* Interpret, analyse, and evaluate data through questioning to drive actionable intelligence and support decision making.
* Use horizon scanning to identify future changes in procurement and contracting.
* Manage relationships with stakeholders.
* Interpret business requirements by assessing the demand for the product or service.
* Undertake market analysis to establish potential routes to market.
* Conduct benchmarking to evaluate costs against industry standards.
* Prepare or contribute to the drafting of a sourcing plan which meets business needs, including corporate social responsibility factors.
* Use the organisation's documentation designed for commercial procurement processes for the supply of goods and services.
* Notify potential suppliers of proposal requirements.
* Use selection and award criteria to source requirements from external suppliers evidencing how supplier bids are evaluated against them.
* Analyse the financial implications of decisions and identify cost-saving opportunities.
* Liaise and negotiate with suppliers and stakeholders to ensure the timely delivery of purchased goods and services.
* Support contract award and briefing of suppliers in line with the organisations processes and governance.
* Monitor and manage contract performance to meet time, costs, service, and quality objectives.
* Manage contract performance and advise suppliers on any areas for improvement.
* Maintain contract documentation such as change control, version control.
* Use IT and software to produce spreadsheets and presentation packages to communicate information.
* Identify, raise, and facilitate discussions with stakeholders to resolve any issues or risks.
* Analyses sustainability challenges and risks at each stage of the product or contract life cycle.
* Manage information in accordance with policy and processes.
* Continuously review work processes to identify and eliminate inefficiencies and simplify workflow.
* Use available systems and tools to identify relevant data.
* Interpret, analyse, and evaluate data through questioning to drive actionable intelligence and support decision making.
* Use horizon scanning to identify future changes in procurement and contracting.
Training schedule
An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
5 GCSE Inc Maths, English (grade A*-C or 9-4 (or equivalent))
A Level in:
STEM Based Subjects (grade 72 UCAS points, C 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
* Organisation skills
* Team working
Other requirements
Please be aware of qualification entry criteria when applying for this role. This is clearly displayed on the advert under the section qualification requirements. To be eligible for the role you must meet these entry requirements.