Procurement and Commercial Apprenticeship

Summary

It is the Procurement & Commercial function who are responsible for planning, sourcing, implementing and managing contractual relationships with suppliers. P&C takes the lead on a significant Responsible Procurement agenda focusing on skills, diversity, ethical sourcing and environmental sustainability to help realise the Mayor of London's vision.

Wage: £26,559 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Procurement and supply chain practitioner (level 4)
Hours: Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm
35 hours a week
Possible start date: Monday 8 September
Duration: 2 years
Positions available: 4

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

Placement 1 - P&C Utilities - 6 months:

Working in the Utilities Team procuring the electricity that runs the London Underground and Rail networks. You’d be working on Early Market Engagement, meeting with potential suppliers to understand how TfL can get the best deal possible on its procurements

Placement 2 - P&C London Underground Fleet - 6 months:

Working within the Fleet Team, procuring specialist parts to keep the trains running on the network. This could include train wheels, motors and doors. Without this vital work, trains could be taken out of action which causes delays to customers

Placement 3 - P&C IT - 6 months:

Working on the Contract Management of TfL’s Microsoft contract to ensure 30,000 users have access to all of the systems they need to do their jobs effectively. You’d also be working on the procurement of our bus intelligence systems that help tell our passengers when their buses are going to arrive

Placement 4 - P&C Capital Highways - 6 months:

Contract management of surface transport contracts such as Cycle Hire, Taxi & Private Hire and the Woolwich Ferry, and supporting the procurement of other contracts and services

Where you’ll work

197 Southwark Bridge Road

London

SE1 0ED

Training

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.

College or training organisation

CIPS CORPORATE SERVICES LIMITED

Your training course

Procurement and supply chain practitioner (level 4)

Equal to higher national certificate (HNC)

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.

Your training plan

Procurement and Supply Chain Practitioner Level 4.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English Language (grade 4 (C))
Maths (grade 4 (C))

A Level in:

Any (grade D)
Any (grade D)

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

Open
Caring
Adaptable

About this company

At TfL, our work goes beyond transport. We keep London moving – day in, day out. We’re about building stronger connections, and helping people do more of what they love. From sustainable futures to post-pandemic economic recovery, we’re constantly breaking new ground, and taking innovation to new heights. For our people, this is more than just a job. Our apprentices are pioneers, frontrunners, and mentors. And, with a culture built on support and flexibility that puts wellbeing first.

https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/careers/apprenticeships (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Free travel on the TfL network for you and a nominee who lives in the same household. Discounted national rail and Eurostar travel. Minimum 29 days annual leave (pro rata dependent on role) plus public and bank holidays and more!

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Upon successful completion of this scheme, you could roll-off into a Commercial Officer or Assistant Commercial Manager role, dependent on your performance throughout the scheme. This could lead to further career development opportunities such as a Commercial Manager, Senior Commercial Manager, Head of Commercial, Commercial Director - there’s no ceiling to how high you could aim!

Successfully completing the Level 4 Diploma means you'll become eligible for membership at the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS).

A career in P&C has a lot of scope and is transferrable into both public and private sector organisations. One thing is true of all businesses; Procurement and Commercial is vital activity and will always be required, meaning that this apprenticeship is an excellent foundation for a successful career.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CIPS CORPORATE SERVICES LIMITED

earlycareerscampaigns@tfl.gov.uk

0203 005 1680

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000304242.

Apply now

Closes in 12 days (Friday 7 March)

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

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

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