Procurement Apprentice

Summary

Horstman looks for talent not type. Gain hands-on experience managing supply chains, negotiating contracts, and working with cutting-edge technology, all while earning a competitive salary and a nationally recognised qualification in a challenging and rewarding sector.

Wage

Competitive

Competitive wage offered

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Procurement and supply assistant (level 3)

Hours

Core working hours of 9am-3pm. Early finish from 12:30 on Fridays.

37 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 9 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

Assist in the preparation and submission of purchase orders
Support the team in identifying and selecting suppliers, obtaining quotes, and evaluating supplier proposals
Help maintain accurate procurement records and databases
Liaise with internal departments to ensure the timely delivery of goods and services
Assist in monitoring supplier performance, including delivery times and quality standards
Support the resolution of any procurement-related issues or discrepancies
Track and report on procurement spend, savings and assist with budget management
Participate in market research to identify potential suppliers
Work closely with internal and external stakeholders
Assist in the development and implementation of procurement processes and procedures
Perform general administrative duties, including filing, record keeping, and preparing reports

Where you'll work

Locksbrook Road
Bath
Avon
BA1 3EX

Training

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

College or training organisation

APA PROCUREMENT TRAINING LIMITED

Your training course

Procurement and supply assistant (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

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

Training is mostly online,with CIPS exam happening in exam centre.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 5)
Maths (grade 5)

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
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Team working

Other requirements

Work will require BPSS screening.

About this company

With a time-tested pedigree in design, development, project management and high-quality manufacture, Horstman is the pre-eminent mobility solution provider in the global heavy armoured and tracked vehicle suspension market.

https://horstmangroup.com/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Healthcare scheme Uniform 25 days holiday plus bank holidays Christmas closedown Company social events Discretionary bonus Flexible working hours 2:2:1 home working

After this apprenticeship

Procurement Assistant
Procurement Administrator
Project Buyer

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

HORSTMAN DEFENCE SYSTEMS LIMITED

Zoe Evans

zoe.evans@horstman.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000328555.

Apply now

Closes in 29 days (Monday 28 July 2025 at 11:59pm)

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