Purchasing/Buying Apprentice (REF: PHA-0005-25)

Summary

We are seeking a detail-orientated and pro-active Purchasing Assistant to support the procurement team in sourcing and purchasing soft and hard landscaping materials. This role would suit someone with administration or finance experience, even more so, someone who has worked in the office of a construction company.

Wage

£17,888 a year

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Training course

Procurement and supply chain practitioner (level 4)

Hours

Monday - Friday, 07:30 - 17:00

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 2 June 2025

Duration

1 year 9 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

Predominantly working with the landscaping division, however regular communication and interaction with other sectors of the business
Using measuring software with landscape architect’s drawings to scale and quantify works
Generate numerous purchase orders (POs) for trees, plants, turf, aggregates, sundries and various other materials and equipment in accordance with budgets / timeframes on a daily basis
Monitor inventory levels and co-ordinate with project managers to ensure materials are available as required
Obtain and compare supplier quotes, negotiating cost-effective deals whilst maintaining quality standards
Stay updated on industry trends, new materials, and best practices in landscaping procurement
Ensure compliance with company purchasing policies and procedures
Maintain accurate records of purchases, supplier agreements, and stock levels
Develop & maintain relationships with suppliers, subcontractors & clients
Communication / document control - distribute drawings/specifications to operational teams, informing clients of delivery dates, use of online booking-in systems, etc.
Working alongside quantity surveyors / line management to help prepare & issue quotations, budgets, bills of quantities & other administrative duties relating to the role
Be involved in various internal and external meetings alongside colleagues and clients both virtually and on site
Site visits may also be required to assist with co-ordinating and auditing works
Track changes to the design and/or construction work and adjusting orders and costings accordingly
Measure, value and bill completed works
Liaise with clients and other construction professionals, such as site managers, project managers and site engineers on a regular basis

Where you’ll work

9-13 Russell Way
Chelmsford
CM1 3AA

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

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 Apprenticeship Standard
Training will be delivered remotely through live tutored sessions and online learning

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4/C)
Maths (grade 4/C)

Other in:

Any (grade Pass)

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
Administrative skills
Initiative

Other requirements

Possess a clean UK driving licence and/or be able to attend an office-based role daily. However, site visits are sometimes required so the ability to drive is preferable.

About this company

Training & Apprenticeships in Construction Ltd (TrAC) is a DfE approved Flexi Job Apprenticeship Agency who will employ you for the duration of the apprenticeship and pay your salary. You should be aware that you will be placed with a host employer but you will not be employed by them. Your placement may change during the course of your apprenticeship but TrAC will employ you throughout, as well as continuing to support you into employment or further learning at the end of your apprenticeship.

Company benefits

Opportunity to work in a dynamic and growing company. Career development and training opportunities. Supportive and collaborative team environment.

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

We value our employees and actively encourage our employees to progress further and advance their careers within the group

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