Apprentice Buyer

Summary

As part of your role as an Apprentice Buyer, you will work within our Procurement team, learning our processes, supporting the team and helping achieve results, all whilst learning and developing as an individual. This is the perfect opportunity to ‘earn while you learn’.

Wage

£15,704 to £25,396.80, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Friday, 40 hours to be agreed with the Manager, worked between the hours of 7am and 6pm. One-hour unpaid lunch break each day.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

1 year 6 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

Send out enquiries for appropriate materials, collate and analyse quotations
As required, place orders with suitable suppliers for specified materials, ensuring goods are delivered on the required date and purchased at the most competitive rates and within budget
Consolidate purchases of materials to achieve maximum economic benefit
Chase deliveries from suppliers that are overdue or urgent
Use pre-authorised buying deals unless authorised otherwise by the Managing Buyer
Process invoices queries

You will work in an established business to add real value and gain experience from our accomplished teams. Our Apprenticeship offers you personal and professional development, enabling you to develop yourself to become a valued member of the team.

Where you’ll work

Nexus Park
Skyline 120
Braintree
Essex
CM77 7AL

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

COLCHESTER INSTITUTE

Your training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

Your training plan

The apprentice will be working towards the Business Administrator Level 3 apprenticeship standard
All delivered within the workplace via online training, sessions, and workshops with Colchester Institute

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

5 GCSEs including maths and English (grade 9-4/A*-C)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Administrative skills
Number skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative
Patience
Experience of MS packages

Other requirements

This is an office based role.

About this company

Tamdown provide groundworks and infrastructure in the house building sector, across the South-east. We are passionate about driving excellence on site, providing the highest level of service to our customers. Since 1976, Tamdown have continued to deliver high quality projects for some of the biggest house builders in the UK. For more about what who we are and what we do see our website: https://tamdown.com/what-we-do/

https://www.nexus-infrastructure.com/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

25 days holiday + bank holidays, wellbeing services, Employee Assistance Program, retail discounts, hybrid working, staggered start/finish times, opportunity to purchase additional holidays, health cash plan, subsidised gym membership, pension scheme

After this apprenticeship

Following completion of the L3 Business Administration apprenticeship, there is scope to undertake formal CIPS qualifications to progress to a Senior Buyer.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

COLCHESTER INSTITUTE

Colchester Institute - Apprenticeship Team

ci.apprenticeships@colchester.ac.uk

01206 712043

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000313870.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 30 May 2025

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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

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