Job Description
To provide daytoday support to the Procurement team by helping manage purchasing requests, liaising with suppliers, tracking orders, and maintaining accurate documentation. The apprentice will gain handson experience across the full procurement cycle while studying towards a recognised qualification.
Objectives:
* Build a working knowledge of the companys purchasing processes, including requisitioning, sourcing, purchase order creation, and order tracking.
* Assist the Procurement team with raising, reviewing, and maintaining accurate purchase orders in the Business System.
* Communicate professionally with suppliers to request quotations, confirm delivery dates, and follow up on outstanding orders.
* Maintain uptodate supplier information to support the Procurement teams decisionmaking.
* Help identify opportunities for cost savings, improved lead times, and better supplier performance through accurate data gathering and basic analysis.
* Escalate risks such as delays, price variances, or quality concerns promptly.
* Follow delegated authority rules, audit requirements, and procurement governance at all times.
* Support good recordkeeping to ensure accurate audit trails and process visibility.
* Work towards the chosen procurement qualification (e.g., CIPS Level 3 or equivalent apprenticeship standard).
* Demonstrate good time management, communication, and organisational skills while balancing study and work commitments.
* Suggest and contribute to small improvements in procurement processes, templates, or internal workflows.
* Participate in team meetings and support the delivery of procurement KPIs.
Responsibilities:
* Purchasing & Administration
* Assist with raising, reviewing, and processing Purchase Requisitions and Purchase Orders in the Business System.
* Ensure all purchasing documentation is completed accurately and maintained in line with policies and procedures.
* Support order tracking, ensuring delivery dates are monitored and communicated to the wider business.
* Supplier Interaction
* Contact suppliers to request quotations, confirm pricing, check lead times, and follow up on outstanding orders.
* Support the maintenance of supplier records and documentation to aid compliance.
* Escalate supplier issues such as delays, quality concerns, or price discrepancies.
* Data & Reporting
* Assist in collecting and updating purchasing data, such as pricing, delivery performance, and spend information.
* Help prepare basic reports or summaries to support Procurement KPIs and decisionmaking.
* Maintain accurate and timely data entry to support strong audit trails.
* Operational Support
* Work closely with internal stakeholders (Stores, Logistics, Planning, Engineering, etc.) to understand purchasing needs and provide updates.
* Support the Procurement team with general administrative tasks, filing, and document control.
* Assist with the coordination of urgent or critical material requirements.
* Compliance & Governance
* Follow all procurement procedures, delegated authority levels, and audit requirements.
* Ensure purchasing activity is compliant, transparent, and aligned with internal controls and SOPs.
* Maintain confidentiality and professionalism when handling supplier and commercial information.
* Continuous Learning & Improvement
* Participate in ongoing training and development as part of the procurement apprenticeship programme.
* Seek opportunities to improve processes, templates, or communication flows.
* Contribute positively to team meetings and support a culture of continuous improvement
Qualifications/Experience:
* Essential Qualifications
* GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths, typically at grade 4/C or above.
* Willingness to work towards a recognised Procurement qualification (e.g., CIPS Level 3 or equivalent apprenticeship standard).
* Basic IT skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word).
* Desirable Qualifications
* ALevels or equivalent Level 3 qualification.
Any prior study related to business, supply chain, or administration.
* Essential Experience
* No formal procurement experience required.
* Some experience in a customer service, administrative, or retail environment (parttime work, volunteering, or school projects) is beneficial but not mandatory.
* Demonstrated interest in business, supply chain, engineering, or administrative work.
* Desirable Experience
* Experience working in an office, workshop, or manufacturing environment.
* Any exposure to procurement, logistics, data entry, or stock control.
Experience using business systems or databases (e.g., raising requests, updating records).
* Personal Attributes & Aptitude
* Strong willingness to learn and develop new skills.
* Good organisational skills and attention to detail.
* Confident communicator, both in writing and verbally.
* Ability to work as part of a team and build positive relationships.
* Professional attitude, reliability, and good time management.