Procurement & Supply Assistant apprenticeship

Summary

This great opportunity offers individuals the chance to join the NHS studying the Level 3 Procurement & Supply Assistant Apprenticeship. Apprentices will work in teams responsible for buying in quality products and services at the right price across a variety of areas allowing organisations to function effectively.

Wage

£19,554 a year

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One position available

Training course

Procurement and supply assistant (level 3)

Hours

37.5 hours per week. Days and shifts to be confirmed.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

2 years

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

Working within an NHS organisation you will be required to provide support in the procurement and supply management of goods and services. Ensuring maximum efficiency of resources and achievement of value for money through a range of skills and techniques which will include ordering, invoice processing and record keeping of the procurement process.

Where you’ll work

No 1 Lakeside
920 Centre Park
Warrington
WA1 1QY

Training

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

College or training organisation

ENCOMPASS CONSULTANCY LIMITED

Your training course

Procurement and supply assistant (level 3)

Equal to A level

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.

Your training plan

Day release training is delivered both in the classroom and virtually studying an industry recognised qualification ie. Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) Level 3 Advanced Certificate.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4 and above)
Maths (grade 4 and above)

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
Presentation skills
Administrative skills
Number skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Initiative

Other requirements

Apprentices are paid for their normal working hours and training that is part of their apprenticeship. All training related travel expenses are paid by the employer. 27 days annual leave per year plus Bank Holidays.

About this company

Almost 2 million people make up the NHS workforce with over 350 different careers being split into 15 categories, one of which encompasses those who work in Procurement, the purchase of goods and services. Whilst the NHS workforce is growing it is not rapid enough to keep up with demand meaning action is required to ensure the NHS has enough staff in place to deliver high-quality care for patients as well as developing the service for the future. The NHS has a multi-billion pound budget to deliver an efficient, modern, safe and effective healthcare service with billions spent each year in procurement enabling the NHS to operate effectively on a day-to-day basis. NHS procurement systems have been under enormous pressure during the coronavirus pandemic which has created unprecedented levels of demand for some goods and services; this has required skill, resourcefulness and professionalism of staff working in this area of the service.

http://www.nhsapprenticeships.com (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

This opportunity is advertised on a fixed term contract basis due to this being an apprenticeship, the objective of which is to gain a recognised qualification and experience in the workplace. This does not include a guaranteed permanent post with an NHS organisation, however throughout the apprenticeship individuals are eligible to apply for vacancies within their workplace organisation, subject to the usual recruitment processes, with support being provided to ideally secure a position by completion. The apprenticeship will provide valuable work experience and a qualification that is recognised by employers.

On completion successful candidates could have the opportunity to continue to a higher level apprenticeship studying the CIPS Level 4 Diploma working towards achieving full membership and ultimately chartered professional status.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

ENCOMPASS CONSULTANCY LIMITED

Helen Pennington

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000310228.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Wednesday 30 April 2025)

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.

Company’s application instructions

Interested candidates will be expected to apply online using the following link to take them to the SDN's application

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